Some cancer treatments can cause an early or temporary menopause, or side effects similar to menopausal symptoms.

• Symptoms of menopause include:
  hot flushes and sweats
• vaginal dryness
• loss of interest in sex
• difficulty sleeping
• dry skin
• aches and pains
• needing to pass urine (pee) more often
• weight gain
• mood swings
• loss of confidence
• poor concentration.

Most people have some of these symptoms. The symptoms can vary from mild to more severe. For some people, they last for many years. The symptoms are sometimes worse if the menopause starts suddenly because of cancer treatments.

You may have already been told that your treatment has put you into menopause or that you are at risk of an early menopause. Or if you feel you have menopausal symptoms now, you can ask your GP for blood tests to find out whether treatment has caused an early menopause.

For more information on managing and reducing menopausal symptoms please follow the links below:

Menopause and cancer - coping with symptoms | Macmillan Cancer Support

Early menopause due to cancer treatment - Young Lives vs Cancer

Early menopause cancer treatment | Teenage Cancer Trust

The hormone system and cancer | Cancer Research UK

Or for further online support, please follow the below links

• HealthTalk – information about early menopause, including women talking about their own experiences
• Trekstock – offers a five-week Navigating Menopause course
• Emotional impact | Fertility Network