|
ggg |
Chemically Induced Menopause
Menopause induced by chemotherapy or other chemicals or
medications.
Chemical menopause is a type of "induced menopause", menopause induced by an
unusual event, such as may also occur when the ovaries are damaged by radiation
or when the ovaries are surgically removed (by bilateral oophorectomy).
Induced menopause, chemical menopause included, is distinct from natural
menopause which occurs when the ovaries naturally decrease their production of
the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone; there are no menstrual periods for
12 consecutive months; and no other biological or physiological cause can
account for this phenomenon. Menopause is the end of the childbearing years, the
finale of fertility. (The basis for the "12 consecutive months" criterion for
menopause is that, until 12 months have passed without a period, a woman may
still become pregnant).
Induced menopause, due to the abrupt cutoff of ovarian hormones, causes the
sudden onset of hot flashes and other menopause-related symptoms such as a dry
vagina and a decline in sex drive. Early menopause (before age 40)carries a
greater risk for heart disease and osteoporosis since there are more years spent
beyond the protective cover of estrogen.
When the levels of hormones normally produced by the ovaries suddenly drop,
changes associated with the menopause promptly take place: hot flashes (a sudden
warm feeling with blushing), night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness,
fluctuations in sexual desire (libido), forgetfulness, trouble sleeping and
fatigue, probably from loss of sleep.
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) may be used to treat induced menopause. It
reduces or stops the short-term changes of menopause such as hot flashes,
disturbed sleep, and vaginal dryness. ERT can prevent osteoporosis, a
consequence of lowered estrogen levels. To keep bones strong, ERT should be
taken from menopause throughout a woman's life. Stopping ERT allows bone loss to
resume.
ERT reduces the risk of heart disease up to 50%. Vaginal ERT products help with
vaginal dryness, more severe vaginal changes, and bladder effects but, since
very little vaginal estrogen enters the circulation, it may not help with hot
flashes or prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.
The use of unopposed ERT (ERT alone) is associated with an increase in the risk
of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). However, by taking
the hormone progestogen along with estrogen, the risk of endometrial cancer is
reduced substantially. Progestogen protects the uterus by keeping the
endometrium from thickening (an effect caused by estrogen). The combination
therapy of estrogen plus progestogen is called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
