Drug Induced Menopause

Drug induced menopause occurs when the production of hormones by the ovaries is affected by either chemotherapy, radiation or other medications. It can also occur when both of the ovaries are surgically removed. The symptoms of induced menopause can be much greater than with naturally occurring menopause due to the sudden stop of hormone production. Women who are forced into sudden menopause do not go through the same symptoms as women who have the gradual decline of estrogen and progesterone production associated with natural menopause.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of drug induced menopause are basically the same as with natural menopause, except that they are sudden and can be severe. The body has had no chance to become accustomed to the natural decline of hormone production, and instead is forced into a very traumatic change within a matter of minutes. Symptoms of drug induced menopause include night swears, mood swings, decrease in sex drive, irritability, hot flashes, depression, anxiety, and formication (which is the feeling of having something crawling all over you).

Characteristics

• Drug induced menopause can cause symptoms that seem unbearable, but the good news is that drug induced menopause usually does not last nearly as long as naturally occurring menopause. Another positive outcome of drug induced menopause is that the ability to become pregnant stops when the menopause takes effect because there will be no more egg production by the ovaries. This can prevent accidental pregnancies that are sometimes seen during natural menopause.

Chemotherapy

• There are several types of chemotherapy medications that will cause drug induced menopause. Your doctor should discuss the possibility of drug induced menopause with you when he explains the type of chemotherapy you will be taking. If drug induced menopause is a possibility, treatment can be started early to help prevent the side effects common with this condition.

Treatment

• Artificial hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most common way to treat drug induced menopausal symptoms. Premarin is perhaps one of the most frequently prescribed medications on the market, but there is also the convenience of a patch that can be worn for a week at a time, and also a vaginal ring which is used for hormone replacement therapy. If you prefer natural alternatives, the herb black cohosh has been shown to help decrease hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.

Warnings

• The use of hormone replacement therapy has been shown to increase your risk of heart disease and breast cancer. Most doctors recommend the use of hormone replacement therapy for no more than five years or less. There is little known risk of side effects with the herb black cohosh, as long as it is taken in moderation.