People always ask me if I want children, I let them know adoption is and has always on option before this happened, but let them know biologically I can't have children because I am post menopausal. They always say, "Oh, my you are too young for that." Although this is true it sure isn't or wasn't in my control. Due to how much percentage of Myeloma cells I had when diagnosed, aggressive steps had to be taken fast! Unfortunately, there was time to talk about fertility and freezing eggs. Unfortunately, this happens to many women, young women that go through chemotherapy. I am not saying that this will happen to every single young woman that is diagnosed with cancer will encounter chemo induced menopause, whether it is pre-menopause or post-menopause.
Natural menopause typically happens between the ages of 45-55 for women. This is when in most women's lives menstrual periods stop permanently, and the woman is no longer able to have children. Medical professionals often define menopause as having occurred when a woman has not had any vaginal bleeding for a year.It may also be defined by a decrease in hormone production by the ovaries. Premature menopause can be the result of genetics, autoimmune disorders, or medical procedures. "Induced" menopause happens when the ovaries are surgically removed for medical reasons, such as uterine cancer or endometriosis. Induced menopause can also result from damage to the ovaries caused by radiation or chemotherapy.
Most women approaching menopause will have hot flashes, a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the upper body, often with blushing and some sweating.. The severity of hot flashes varies from mild in most women to severe in others. I will tell you for someone that used to be cold all the time, those hot flashes are no joke! One minute I was hot turning the A/C on in the winter and then the 10 minutes I was turning the temperature back up!
Other common symptoms around the time of menopause include:
- Weight gain
- Irregular or skipped periods
- Insomnia
- Energy loss
- Lack of motivation
- Aggressiveness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety
- Tension
- Nervous exhaustion
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Irritability
- Racing heart
- Headaches
- Joint and muscle aches and pains
- Changes in libido (sex drive)
- Vaginal dryness
- Bladder control problems
These issues can be difficult to deal with, so it is important to talk about those things with your doctor. However, if you are dealing with deeper issues that is beyond your doctor's expertise please consider going to therapy . Even you are still not working you can find a non-profit organization or any organization that functions on a sliding scale and you may not have to pay anything. Please don't deal with this by yourself. If you are a young woman 20-30s and this has happened to you, your family may not understand, you can't talk to your friends because they don't understand. Unless you find a group that has gone through similar things, but again sometimes you may be dealing with heavy stuff only a therapist can help with. You can't talk to older women who have gone through menopause because again they don't understand if they went through normal menopause. Doctors will say that some young women bodies will bounce back from it but I don't know how much I believe that; however, I will leave that to the Lord if mine will or not. Continue to stay lifted, positive, and keep yourself engaged in activities that bring you joy, have an accountability partner to make sure you get out...whatever it takes, life isn't a bed of roses but enjoy your life as much as you can!
