Some gynaecological cancer treatments can cause an early or sudden menopause, particularly if surgery involves removal of the ovaries. Menopausal symptoms can be significant and may include hot flushes, sleep disturbance, mood changes, joint aches, vaginal dryness, discomfort with sex, and bladder symptoms.
For many patients, HRT can be a safe and effective option, but suitability depends on the type of cancer and your individual risk profile. Decisions are made with you, based on the best available evidence and your priorities.
This section is a summary only. Your team will give you personalised advice.
Key points
- HRT can improve quality of life and can also help protect long-term health after early menopause (for example bone health).
- If starting HRT is straightforward (for example, the tumour type is not considered hormone-sensitive), discussion should happen before surgery, and HRT can be started as soon as clinically appropriate after surgery.
- If the decision is more complex, it is usually best to wait until the final pathology is available, staging is complete, and any further treatment plan is clear.
Visit womens-health-concern.org for more information.
Questions to ask your team
- Is systemic HRT suitable for me, given my cancer type and pathology?
- Would vaginal oestrogen help my symptoms, even if systemic HRT is not recommended?
- When is the safest time to start, and who will prescribe and review it?
- What non-hormonal options could also help (or be used instead)?
- Where to find more information
