Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when she no longer has menstrual periods. Typically, once a woman hasn’t had a period in 12 months, she’s considered menopausal. It happens as estrogen levels gradually decline and ovulation stops.
Most women experience menopause naturally as they get older — the average age for menopause is 51. However, some women need treatment for certain health conditions that stop their bodies from producing estrogen. That causes what’s called medically induced menopause.
Natural menopause happens gradually, but medically induced menopause may bring on intense symptoms all of a sudden.
Types of medically induced menopause
Medically induced menopause may be caused by hormone therapy or surgery. “You could need these treatments if you have endometriosis, a family history of ovarian cancer, a personal history of breast or other hormonally driven cancers or significant symptoms in your cycle associated with ovulation,” said Audra Zachman, a gynecologic oncology specialist with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Hormone therapy-induced menopause
You may need chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other medications or treatments that stop your ovaries from making estrogen. These therapies can treat certain cancers, including some types of breast cancer.
For example, medications like goserelin (Zoladex) are a form of hormone therapy. It’s injected under the skin in the abdomen to block a hormone from the pituitary gland, which stops the ovaries from producing estrogen.
While these types of treatments can induce menopause, they may also help keep cancer from coming back. This type of menopause can be temporary or permanent, depending on the treatment.
Surgical menopause
You may have a health condition that needs removal of the ovaries for treatment. If you have your ovaries removed surgically (bilateral oophorectomy) your estrogen production stops suddenly. In this case, menopause happens quickly and is permanent.
Symptoms of medically induced menopause
Medically induced menopause may cause symptoms similar to natural menopause. But symptoms can come on suddenly and be more intense. How severe symptoms are can vary based on the treatment that induced menopause as well as factors such as your weight, caffeine intake, exercise habits and more.
You may notice:
- Hot flashes: Sudden feelings of being hot that can come in waves, usually with sweating.
- Night sweats: Hot flashes that happen when you’re sleeping. They can cause you to sweat and soak your pajamas and bedding.
- Vaginal dryness: Reduced lubrication that can cause discomfort or pain during intercourse.
- Mood changes: Feeling irritable, anxious or depressed.
- Fatigue: Being tired even after you’ve rested and slept.
- Insomnia: Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
Ask your health care provider if you have any concerns about symptoms. “A lot of changes associated with menopause are not often discussed with women. This can leave them wondering what’s causing their symptoms and what options are available to manage them,” Zachman said.
Health risks of medically induced menopause
Medically induced menopause may increase the risk of certain health issues:
- Bone health: Estrogen helps protect your bone density. Without it, you may be at higher risk for osteoporosis.
- Heart health: A sudden drop in estrogen may increase your risk of heart disease.
- Emotional health: Menopause can lead to anxiety, depression or mood swings, especially when your hormone levels drop suddenly. It can also be tough to face menopause at a young age while you’re dealing with the health condition that caused it.
Talk to your health care provider about these risks and the steps you can take to minimize them.
Managing and treating symptoms
It can be tough to manage the symptoms of medically induced menopause. These treatments may help:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT can help replace the estrogen that your ovaries aren’t producing, which may relieve symptoms like hot flashes and protect against osteoporosis. But you may not be able to take HRT, especially if you’ve had certain types of cancer.
- Non-hormonal treatments: If you can’t take HRT or choose not to, antidepressants or medications that treat high blood pressure may help with hot flashes. You can treat vaginal dryness with over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers.
- Lifestyle changes: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and reducing stress with activities like yoga or meditation can make a big difference in managing menopause symptoms.
Long-term care and support
Treatment for medically induced menopause isn’t just about managing symptoms. You’ll need to monitor your long-term health with bone density tests, heart health assessments and regular check-ins with your provider to stay on top of the health risks.
Connecting with emotional and peer support can also help make this transition easier. You may find that counseling or support groups help you process your feelings and cope with changes.
The bottom line
Medically induced menopause is a sudden change and dealing with it can be challenging. Understanding your symptoms, treatment options and long-term risks can help you take control of your health.
If you’re facing medically induced menopause, talk to your health care provider or reach out to a Banner Health expert for guidance. From hormone therapy to lifestyle support, our providers work with you to develop a care plan that fits your needs.
