Breast cancer treatment and menopausal symptoms

This information is about menopausal symptoms that can occur because of breast cancer treatment. It gives suggestions on coping with these symptoms.

Menopausal symptoms Back to top

Before menopause the ovaries produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which control a woman’s monthly cycle (periods). Women naturally stop having regular periods usually between their mid-40s and mid-50s. The menopause happens when the ovaries stop producing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

This change in hormone levels can cause a number of symptoms, including:

• hot flushes and sweats
• vaginal dryness
• needing to pass urine more often
• a lower sex drive
• tiredness
• sleeplessness
• dry skin
• aches and pains
• mood swings
• loss of confidence and poor concentration.

Women may have just one of these symptoms or more, and they can vary from mild to more severe.

The menopause, and particularly an early menopause, may also cause other effects on the body. These include thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) and heart disease. These effects develop at different rates in different people. Their tendency to develop is, at least partly, passed on from your parents (genetically determined).

Breast cancer treatments and menopause Back to top

Chemotherapy| may bring on an early menopause, especially in women who are closer to their natural menopause. 

Breast cancer| treatment often involves hormonal therapy| to block the effects of oestrogen on breast cancer cells, or to reduce oestrogen levels. These hormonal treatments may cause menopausal symptoms or a temporary menopause. 

Sometimes breast cancer treatment may involve a woman having her ovaries removed with surgery|. Rarely, a woman may have radiotherapy| to the ovaries to stop them working. These treatments cause permanent menopause.

Infertility Back to top

Infertility can be very difficult for women to deal with, especially if you wanted to have children or to add to your family. It can be particularly hard when you're already coping with cancer. We have more information about fertility in women|.

Some of the organisations| we list support to women with fertility problems. Talking about your feelings with your partner (if you have one), family and friends, or your nurse or doctor may be helpful. If you feel you need more help you can talk to your doctor about a referral to a counsellor.