What does artificial menopause mean?
When it is caused by treatment or surgery, the menopause is said to be artificial. It can occur after surgery or illness.
This is the case when doctors have to remove both ovaries. Artificial menopause can also be caused by medical treatment. This is often the case with radiotherapy. It is therefore irreversible.
Hormone or chemotherapy can trigger an "artificial" menopause
In young women, the most common cancers require supportive treatments after surgery. Whether it's ablation, chemotherapy or anti-estrogen, all of these treatments alter the patient's sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, 20androgen). They can trigger an artificial menopause. When the menopause has already begun, these treatments cause the same inconveniences as the natural menopause, such as hot flashes, and can even amplify them.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy, particularly in the treatment of breast cancer, blocks the action of natural hormones such as oestrogen.
The aim is to prevent the growth of ER (estrogen receptor)-positive (hormone-dependent cancer) cancer cells.
The decrease in the amount of estrogen in the blood causes hot flashes and night sweats.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can also cause: hot flushes, night sweats, joint pain...
By fighting the cancer cells, the treatment can damage or even decimate the follicular cells in the ovaries and cause the classic discomfort of the menopause.
Our alternative for comfort during the artificial menopause
If the solutions to relieve artificial hot flashes of the menopause (linked to hormone therapy) which have an oestrogenic activity are contraindicated, food supplements without phytoestrogenic activity and non-hormonal such as Serelys MENO may be an interesting option.