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.
RELATED: Your Guide to Navigating Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatments
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