The term “chemical menopause” refers to a condition caused by some cancer treatments, particularly hormone treatments, where a woman experiences menopausal symptoms due to a reduction in estrogen levels. Chemical menopause can occur after a cancer diagnosis, if the cancer is sensitive to hormones or if hormone therapy is part of the treatment plan.
Common symptoms of chemical menopause may include:
1. Night sweats and sweating
2. Abnormalities or absence of periods
3. Dryness and discomfort in the vagina during intercourse
4. Changes in mood, such as mood swings, irritability or depression
5. Fatigue and sleep disturbances
6. Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
7. Loss of sexual desire
8. Loss of bone density and increased risk of osteoporosis
9. Extra weight and changes in body composition
10. Changes in the skin, such as dryness and decrease in skin elasticity
Note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms and their severity may vary from person to person. If you are undergoing hormone therapy or have concerns about chemical menopause, it is recommended that you discuss these symptoms with a healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation and management.
There are several treatment options for chemical menopause. The most common ones are:
1. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): This therapy provides the body with the hormones that are lost during menopause, with anti-estrogens and/or progestogens. It can improve symptoms and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. However, HRT is not suitable for all women and is contraindicated for women who have had hormone-dependent cancer, so a risk and benefit assessment should be made with your doctor.
2. Phytoestrogens: Some herbal supplements, such as soy and wild glucan, contain plant compounds that can mimic hormones. However, because their action mimics that of estrogen, they are contraindicated for those diagnosed with hormone-dependent cancer.
3. Alternative treatments: Some symptoms find relief from the use of alternative treatments such as dietary supplements, acupuncture and the use of healing herbs.
Dietary supplements
There are some dietary supplements that –based upon research- have been shown to have a beneficial effect on menopausal symptoms.
Black Cohosh: Black cohosh has no estrogenic effect, so it is suitable for relieving vasomotor symptoms in women with breast cancer who take tamoxifen.
Soy and red clover: Dietary supplements with soy as well as red clover have also been suggested as a preventive treatment for osteoporosis, improving lipid profile. They are also found to prevent dementia during menopause.
Sage: Taking sage in a dietary supplement can help reduce hot flashes and night sweats. There are over 800 different species of sage, so choose Salvia officinalis or Salvia lavandulifolia.
Hops and St. John’s Wort: Dietary supplements with hops and St. John’s Wort seem to help with mood disorders, such as anxiety and restlessness, as well as sleep disorders in menopausal women. Furthermore, research shows beneficial effects of combining St. John’s wort with black cohosh in treating menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, depression, mood swings and insomnia. However, St. John’s wort herb is contraindicated in those on medication with anticoagulants, cyclosporine and digoxin, so always talk to your doctor/healthcare professional.
Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese practice can potentially relieve various symptoms of menopause. Many studies have shown it can help reduce hot flashes and a systematic review published in the journal Menopause in 2016 found that acupuncture was significantly more effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. In addition, acupuncture has shown promising results in relieving other symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, anxiety and irritability.
Note that the choice of the appropriate treatment should be made with a healthcare professional.
