Managing Forced Menopause Due To Breast Cancer Treatment

This first-hand forced menopause side effect advice will help you maintain an active and healthy life and reduce your chance of recurrence.

As a young hormone-positive breast cancer patient, typical treatment includes chemotherapy, surgery like a hysterectomy, and the dreaded medical menopause drugs (tamoxifen, anastrozole, letrozole, Lupron).

Most likely, you’ll be unprepared for forced menopause, even though physicians warn you about it. Hormone-blocking drugs may cause weight gain, discomfort, and sexual issues in women.

Hormone-blocking drugs like tamoxifen and letrozole may cause negative effects in cancer patients. Surgery may cause more severe adverse effects.

Forcible menopause and hormone-blocking medications may cause:

joint stiffness
aches and pains during movement
weight gain
trouble maintaining weight
hot flashes
lack of energy
sexual and intimacy issues

Want to handle forced menopause side symptoms and enjoy life after your diagnosis? Let's examine some effective side-effect therapies.

Joint Pain

Aspirin may dull joint pain, but exercise is essential. Morning movement may be painful, but it will reduce joint discomfort.

Start with low-impact exercises like yoga, strolling, or riding if your energy is low.

Weight Gain & Trouble Maintaining Weight

Forced menopause may make weight gain and maintenance challenging. Estrogen loss via drugs or surgery affects metabolism and weight.

Here are some weight-loss tips for forced menopause:

Focus On Consistent Low Impact Exercises

Cancer therapy may leave you too exhausted to exercise. Though irritating, be nice to yourself.

You may regain pre-cancer energy. Throughout forced menopause, daily walks and three 10- to 15-minute strength-training circuits a week can help maintain weight loss during cancer recovery.

Create a steady workout program. Weight loss and cancer prevention are worth it.

Increase Your Protein Consumption

Dr. Amy Morris, cancer survivor, and recovery specialist, states, "Without estrogen in forced menopause, it is harder to preserve or grow lean muscle." Thus, boosting lean protein intake is crucial."

Protein assists in weight reduction by keeping you full. Some high-protein meals are:

Grilled chicken: Tyson's precooked chicken is simple to prepare and may be stored for weeknight dinners.
Tuna: Tuna may be added to spaghetti, salad, whole grain bread, or eaten alone with crackers.
Greek yogurt: Breakfast with fruit and nut butter is delicious. You may also make a high-protein dip or dessert with it.
Lean ground turkey: This protein-rich food is versatile. Tacos, meatloaf, burgers, meatballs, salads, etc.
Eggs: Protein-rich eggs and egg whites. Consider adding eggs to more recipes. Breakfast or snacks with hard-boiled eggs. Cheddar and spicy sauce vegetarian egg scramble for breakfast.
Skim milk: Fairlife is a good brand.
Protein powder: Choose low-sugar, soy-free ones.
Tempeh: Vegans love high-protein tempeh. Enjoyable tofu-like preparations. Steamed meat absorbs flavors and marinades better.
Edamame: Tempeh and edamame are safe to consume; however, persons with a history of breast cancer should avoid them.

Increase Your Vegetable Consumption

If the protein doesn't fill you up, try vegetables. Reassess your vegetable consumption when the forced menopausal weight reduction plateaus.

Add one to two veggies to each meal to remain full longer and lose weight. You can roast and steam plenty of veggies on Sunday to utilize during the week.

Intimacy & Sexual Side Effects

Forced menopause and hormone-blocking medicine may have serious mental and physical sexual negative effects.

You may be mourning your former body and unwanted surgery. Hormone-blocking medicine may induce vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and vaginal collagen thinning.

It's hard to discuss these negative effects, but they're commonplace, and there are resources. Your oncologist may not address sexual side effects. However, they may refer you to a gynecological pain specialist, pelvic floor therapist, or other sexual health and intimacy options in your region.

Treating Physical Issues

Start here if you have vaginal dryness and unpleasant intimacy. If your pain persists, ask your doctor about dilators, topical lidocaine, or low-dose estrogen cream.

Daily moisturizer: Forced menopause may cause vaginal dryness and soreness. Moisturize your vagina as you do your face. Vitamin E oil from feminine hygiene products may achieve this.
Lubricant: To avoid sexual discomfort during forced menopause, use a high-quality lubricant.

Treating Emotional Issues

Cancer diagnosis and treatment may affect your body image beyond the adverse medical effects. This may affect your personal relationship. Without sexual desire, the situation might seem overwhelming.

How do you treat emotional issues? Rebuilding confidence is crucial after years of struggle. You can also seek advice from survivors.