Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can damage the ovaries, sometimes causing temporary or permanent menopause depending on age and drug type.
What to know
Understanding treatment-induced menopause
Breast cancer treatment can bring on menopause suddenly or intensify symptoms you may already be experiencing. This can happen through:
Oophorectomy
Surgical removal of the ovaries causes immediate menopause, with symptoms that tend to be more sudden and severe.
Ovarian suppression
Ovarian suppression is used to reduce estrogen exposure in hormone-sensitive cancers and can cause menopause-like symptoms by temporarily shutting down ovarian function.
Endocrine Therapy for Hormone-Sensitive Cancers
Common symptoms
The symptoms of treatment-induced menopause are the same as those of natural menopause — but they often appear earlier and can feel more intense. These commonly include vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats), sleep disturbances, mood changes, joint pain, brain fog, and more. It can often be confusing, because some of these symptoms can also be a symptom of treatment itself. See our symptoms page for more details.
Explore menopause symptoms →What can feel different
- It can happen abruptly rather than gradually, which often makes symptoms feel more intense.
- It may occur at a younger age than “natural” menopause.
- Treatment may continue for years, meaning symptoms can persist longer than typical menopause transitions.
- Standard treatments for menopause symptoms, such as systemic menopause hormone therapy, may not be an option, depending on your cancer type.
Beyond day-to-day symptoms
Long-term health after breast cancer
Menopause — especially treatment-induced menopause — can affect long-term health beyond day-to-day symptoms. It's worth understanding a more complete picture.
Bone health
Lower estrogen levels can accelerate bone loss. Early or premature menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis and fracture later in life. (Learn more about early and premature menopause here.)
- Ask your care team about baseline and follow-up bone density screening (DEXA scans).
- Weight-bearing exercise, calcium, and vitamin D are foundational; medication may be appropriate for some.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Premature and early menopause is linked to higher long-term heart health risks: weight gain, elevated cholesterol and diabetes, making preventive screening more important.
- Regular screening (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar) matters more, not less, during and after treatment.
- GLP-1 medications are increasingly part of the conversation around metabolic health—ask your care team whether this is relevant for you.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
- Vaginal dryness, painful sex, and urinary symptoms are common — and often under-discussed after cancer treatment.
- Recurrent UTIs can also result from GSM, as lower estrogen thins vaginal and urinary tract tissue, making infections more likely.
- Sexual health changes, including lower libido and discomfort with intimacy, are closely tied to GSM and are important to discuss with your care team.
- Local (non-systemic) vaginal estrogen is generally considered safe even for hormone-sensitive cancers, but always confirm with your treatment team.
- GSM is not just a comfort issue — left untreated, it can worsen over time.
Symptom support
Symptom Management and Treatment
Many cancer survivors feel left out of the menopause conversation, but there are many non hormonal options that can help. Treatment usually looks different for survivors — but effective options do exist.
Questions to bring to your care team
Which treatment options may be appropriate for me?
- What are the non-hormonal prescription options?
- Can I use local, vaginal estrogen products, or other local options (prasterone, ospemifene)?
- Is systemic hormone therapy an option for me now or in the future?
What screening and preventive care do I need?
- When should I get a baseline bone density scan?
- What cardiovascular or metabolic screening should I be getting, and how often?
Who should be part of my menopause care team?
Who should be part of my care team for menopause-related symptoms—my oncologist, a gynecologist, a menopause specialist, or all three? What about a urogynecologist?
You’re Not Alone
You're Not Alone - Resource Guide
This guide brings together menopause care, national provider directories, virtual care options, and support organizations. It grew from the You’re Not Alone: Navigating Menopause and Breast Cancer series with NYU Langone Health and Breastcancer.org.
Menopause care in the NYC metro area
NYU Langone Health — Perlmutter Cancer Center
Survivorship and patient-navigation services, with referrals to menopause-informed oncology and gynecology specialists.
NYU Langone — Center for Midlife Health / Menopause Center
Dedicated menopause specialty care, including for patients navigating treatment-induced menopause after cancer.
Mount Sinai — Menopause Center
Comprehensive menopause management, including for patients with a cancer history.
Memorial Sloan Kettering — Female Sexual Medicine & Women’s Health Program
Specializes in menopausal symptoms, sexual health, and survivorship care for cancer patients.
NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell — Menopause & Midlife Health Program
Menopause specialty care with coordination for oncology patients.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center / NewYork-Presbyterian
Menopause and midlife-health specialists within OB/GYN, with coordination for patients with complex medical histories.
Maimonides Women’s Health Institute
Brooklyn’s first comprehensive menopause center, offering menopause care alongside broader women’s health services.
Northwell Health Center for Menopause and Midlife Health
Part of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health, with menopause and midlife care for patients with complex medical histories.
RWJBarnabas Health / Rutgers
Menopause and midlife-health services, including specialists who coordinate with oncology for treatment-induced menopause.
Hackensack Meridian Health
Menopause specialty care across several New Jersey locations; some sites offer survivorship or oncology coordination.
Yale Medicine — Menopause Program
An established academic menopause program that includes care for patients with a cancer history.
Find a menopause or sexual-health provider
The Menopause Society practitioner directory
Search by ZIP code for Menopause Society Certified Practitioners, including clinicians with oncology experience.
International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
Search by ZIP code to find a sexual-health specialist.
Virtual and telehealth options
These platforms do not specialize in oncology care, but they may be a starting point for symptom management. Confirm recommendations with your oncology team.
Elektra Health
Virtual clinician visits, personalized treatment plans, and educational content for people navigating perimenopause and menopause.
Midi
Virtual menopause care with clinicians trained in midlife hormonal health, symptom management, and treatment options.
Alloy
Virtual consultations and prescription treatments focused on menopause symptom relief.
Evernow
Menopause-focused telehealth with physician oversight and hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options.
National and local support resources
Breastcancer.org
Community discussion boards, expert Q&A, and information on menopause and treatment side effects.
SHARE Cancer Support
NYC-based peer-led support groups and a helpline for people affected by breast, ovarian, and other cancers.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Educational programs, a helpline, and an online community focused on life during and after breast cancer treatment.
CancerCare
Free professional counseling, support groups, and guidance on financial assistance. Headquartered in NYC.
American Cancer Society
A 24/7 information line and resource navigation, including local programs.
Susan G. Komen
The Breast Care Helpline (1-877 GO KOMEN) and guidance on treatment side effects, hot flashes, and survivorship.
Menopause and Cancer
A UK nonprofit with practical advice, podcasts, and resources on sexual well-being, medically induced menopause, and holistic care.
Additional reading
Dr. Corinne Menn
Education and resources from a board-certified OB/GYN and breast cancer survivor focused on menopause care after cancer.
Breast Cancer Survivors & Vaginal Hormones
A downloadable guide from Dr. Corinne Menn.
Post-Menopause and Your Health: What You Need to Know
Breastcancer.org guidance on post-menopausal symptoms and health concerns.
Menopause and Menopausal Symptoms
Breastcancer.org information on common menopausal symptoms during and after breast cancer treatment.
Go deeper
You’re Not Alone series
This page is part of our ongoing series in partnership with breastcancer.org and NYU Langone, You're Not Alone: Navigating Menopause After Breast Cancer — our virtual sessions are open to anyone, anywhere.
Medical disclaimer: This page is intended for informational purposes only, not as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding your specific situation.
Written and Approved by Robin Noble, MD, Medical Director, Intermed; Chief Medical Advisor, Let’s Talk Menopause
