Menopause after Breast Cancer

smile14 @smile14

After diagnosis and treatment, now what? Is a frequent topic for women who have gone through breast cancer. Often providers once they have treated the cancer do not realize patients still have issues they are dealing with.

Some locations have Breast Cancer Survivorship clinics that deal with those issues. Not sure where you had your treatment or if they offer that type of follow up care.

Another option would be a Women's Health clinic, they often have specialist dealing with Menopause and Women's Sexual Health.

Mayo Clinic published a book last year on subject, Beyond Breast Cancer: A Mayo Clinic Guide to Healing and Wellness (Day to Day) ; this link has images for the table of contents:
https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/beyond-breast-cancer/

You might also check out Breast Cancer Survivorship, on Susan G Koman site: https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/survivorship/

Laurie M

@smile14 Was your cancer ER+ and PR+?

I was not clear if you are currently menopausal or post-menopausal due to age or if you were taking HRT prior to menopause.

I hope your body adjusts to the hormonal change of ending HRT. If you take an aromatase inhibitor, your will have even lower levels of estrogen (ideally very low and non-detectable).

I never really had the concerns you mention:
"I have the added worry of my heart heath, cognitive function, bone health, sexual health and all the other side effects of menopause."

I guess I felt that menopause was a natural state. It passes, mostly. I am in my 70's now, 9 years out from cancer diagnosis, and did 5 years of letrozole. I don't have hot flashes anymore and can still do a good job with Wordle! Bones have been my biggest issue.

It must be hard to give up the idea of HRT and mitigating effects of hormonal changes and, in fact, be facing even more hormonal changes. Unfortunately with hormonal cancers we don't have much choice.

Can anyone guide me? That is a huge, unanswered question. It appears that there is No consensus for women’s heath care. There was a study last year that said vaginal estrogen adds NO risk for reoccurrence of breast cancer. I have jumped on that as I think I have tried everything out there for vaginal dryness. It is helping. We can share what we think we know and be our own best advocate. ♥️

I think this question is best answered by your doctor. I think the risk is going to be individual. I have read studies that say the risk is very low to zero. I have also read articles that mention specific cases where a doctor would not recommend it for specific cases. If memory serves it was a risk for other related cancers. Only you can decide what is right for you, but the only good decision is an informed decision. Remember every treatment is a cost vs. benefit (to you) decision.
If it helping there is obviously a benefit💕 and if the risk is super low………….awesome.
May I ask if you were premenopausal prior to treatment?asking for a friend. 😂😂.

I was premenopausal when LCIS was discovered and I started on this journey. Tamoxifen for 5 years…still having periods…my uterus grew quite large😳, size of a 16 week pregnancy. It was removed at age 53 and then it hit! ILC at age 63 and anastrozole ever since. I know, long story. It never seems like it’s a quick answer.

I am interested in seeing what other people have done/are doing, too. I had Triple Negative Breast Cancer four years ago just after pregnancy at 38.

I regained periods after chemo-induced menopause, and am now entering perimenopause. The consensus anyone on my oncology/radiology/gynecology/PCP teams has is no HRT, even with the cancer being negative for all hormones (maybe because of it occuring while pregnant? I am negative for BRCA 1 and 2 genes).

My mom went through menopause naturally, but does not remember it, and I haven't polled my older friends yet, but none had BC.

A bit on vaginal issues - we used a really great lube and topical prescription lidocaine when I was menopausal on chemo, to great success for us. May not be fun being numbed up for everyone but post baby/during treatment being numbed up wasn't a drawback for me.

Hugs to all!

Does your cancer center have a survivorship clinic? Recognizing that care continues beyond breast cancer treatment, many cancer centers offer cancer survivorship clinics where the aspects of cancer you mention, menopause, fear of recurrence, long-term and late side effects like cognitive issues, fatigues are addressed. Here's some info from Mayo Clinic:
- Cancer survivorship clinics https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/cancer-survivorship-clinics/sections/overview/ovc-20556297

@smile14, were you menopausal before breast cancer treatment or did treatment cause sudden menopause in your case? What are the menopausal side effects you find most challenging or that affect quality of life the most?