Information for Patients and Caregivers
Cancer and Treatment-related Menopausal
Symptoms
What are menopausal symptoms?
Definition:
Menopausal symptoms are both physical
and emotional symptoms that result from withdrawal
of hormone replacement therapy, chemotherapy-induced
menopause and/or Tamoxifen therapy.
How do people describe menopausal
symptoms?
Menopausal symptoms can be a significant
problem for breast cancer survivors, and are usually
more severe than those experienced by women without
cancer. Because symptoms can affect physical and
emotional quality of life, it is important to make
your healthcare provider aware in order to alleviate
the discomfort and stress menopausal symptoms may
cause. The controversy surrounding the use of estrogen
replacement therapy in breast cancer survivors,
which can help to control symptoms of menopause,
make it imperative to find new methods for symptom
management.
What happens to people when they
experience menopausal symptoms?
The most common symptoms are hot
flashes/night sweats, feeling tired, joint pain,
vaginal dryness, depression, headaches, irritability
and nervousness.
What causes menopausal symptoms?
Menopausal symptoms can happen when
the hormones women normally have during childbearing
years decrease. This can happen because of menopause
(change in life) or for a short time during chemotherapy,
or when radiation therapy is given in or near the
vagina.
How do people cope with menopausal
symptoms?
-
Reduce intake of tea, coffee,
hot drinks or alcoholic beverages can help reduce
hot flashes.
-
Use long acting lubricants such
as Replens or KY lubricant to help replace natural
moisture (at first use once a night for 7-14 days),
then once every other night for 7 days, followed
by once per week. (this is helpful even if women
or not having intercourse).
-
Try boosting your melatonin levels
naturally by eating oats, rice, tomatoes, sweet
corn or bananas to alleviate sleeplessness. Talk
with your healthcare provider before taking over-the-counter
melatonin.
-
Try yoga, meditation, guided
imagery or T’ai Chi to alleviate or control stress.
-
Find some time each day to enjoy
nature; walking a pet, taking a nature walk.
-
Consult your healthcare provider
before trying any estrogen or progesterone-based
complimentary products.
-
Use lubrication during intercourse,
such as Astroglide, because the long acting lubricants
will relieve dryness, but the vagina may be thinner
and more prone to injury as a result of above
treatments or menopause.
-
Dress in layers of absorbent,
cotton clothing.
-
Drink 8-10 8 oz. glasses of water
or other non-caffeinated fluids every day.
-
Use a cool washcloth to help
soothe a hot flash.
-
Avoid other hot flash triggers
such a spicy food, warm humid places, saunas or
hot tubs.
-
Try Vitamin E 400 IU two times
per day to relieve hot flashes.
What can family members and friends
do to help me with menopausal symptoms?
-
Your partner can help by listening
to your concerns about menopausal symptoms.
-
Ask family members and friends
to offer you cool fluids throughout the day.
-
You might find it helpful to
speak to other women about the emotional and physical
changes brought about by menopausal symptoms.
-
Try to describe how your menopausal
symptoms as affecting you.
How can I talk with my family members about menopausal
symptoms?
-
Discuss with your partner that
preparing for intercourse will take longer, but
that you will be much more comfortable and responsive.
-
Be open and honest about how
you’re feeling with family members.
-
Many people find that talking
about the vagina is difficult with anyone, even
their doctors, but it is important to remember
that your doctors and nurse need to know about
your vaginal dryness, because of an increase risk
for vaginal infections.
Where can I get more information?
-
Broeckal, JA, Thors, CL, Jacobsen,
PB, Small, M & Cox, CE. (2002) Sexual Functioning
in long-term breast cancer survivors treated with
adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Research
Treatment, 75(3): 241-8.
-
Stearns, V & Hayes, D (2002).
Editorial: Cooling off hot flashes. Journal
of Clinical Oncology, 20(6): 1436-1438.
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