May 21, 2012 10:23:48 PM WATime
Hi Bec, thanks for your query. I have provided a response to try and address this for anyone with similar queries … apologies for the length!! What was it SusanB said … reading is good exercise for the eyes!!!
You are right – chemotherapy can have an effect on the ovaries. Chemotherapy affects fast-growing cells in the body, and the ovaries are usually constantly functioning in pre-menopausal women. Chemotherapy may cause ovarian functioning to cease which causes menopause to occur, although not all women having chemotherapy will experience this, and some may not have any changes in their menstrual cycle.
Menopause (the term for when a woman stops getting monthly periods) may be temporary and ovarian function (and periods) may return within 12 months of treatment finishing; or menopause may be permanent. While there is no reliable way of determining, temporary menopause is more common among women who are younger than 35 at the time of treatment. Permanent menopause is more common among women who are 40 or older at the time of treatment.
Some breast cancer treatments may have side-effects that cause menopause symptoms, but don’t actually cause menopause (i.e. women may still have monthly or irregular periods).
Of course, menopause is a natural event in a woman’s life, but menopause that is induced early (i.e. prior to the age menopause would have occurred naturally – which is usually between 45-55 years of age) may have a more significant impact on the body. Symptoms may be more notable, and long-term effects need to be considered such as bone and heart health.
Symptoms of menopause may include hot flushes or heat ‘surges’, night sweats, mood swings, headaches, depression, fatigue, memory loss, weight changes, vaginal dryness, loss of libido and sleeplessness.
A booklet is available for younger women being treated for breast cancer that provides information about early menopause and its symptoms. It describes some of the physical and emotional changes experienced by younger women and offers some practical suggestions for managing these changes. See link below:
http://canceraustralia.nbocc.org.au/view-document-details/bcmc-breast-cancer-and-early-menopause-a-guide-for-younger-women
Clinics are available to help women having difficulties with menopause symptoms, and addressing long-term management. In WA the Menopause Symptoms After Cancer (MSAC) Clinic at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Subiaco provides assessment and management. Referral from a Doctor or Breast Nurse is required. For information, see link:
http://kemh.health.wa.gov.au/brochures/consumers/wnhs0323.pdf
The Cancer Council on 13 11 20 can provide information about similar services in other states.
Hope this is useful information Bec, and hoping you find some useful tips ..
Love Glenys xx
The Click Breast Care Nurse 
