• Surgery: When both ovaries are surgically removed, menopause results. Cancer is a common reason for this surgery. Removing both ovaries may be done to treat ovarian cancer or to help prevent breast and ovarian cancer in women who are considered to be at high risk
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a powerful drug therapy to treat various types of cancer. It may be used along with surgery, radiation therapy, or both
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to damage cancer cells and reduce their size or keep them from growing”.²

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy to the pelvic area
• Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy)
• Medical menopause where hormone production is shut down with medicine, such as Lupron or Zoladex”.³

Not all cancer treatments will cause menopause. Depending on the treatment, menopausal symptoms may be temporary or permanent. Other factors may influence permanent menopause, such as your age and the type of chemotherapy undertaken”.⁵

• Pain and discomfort related to the disease or treatment
• Anxiety over additional treatments
• A sense of loss of control related to illness, treatments, hospitalizations, and adverse events
• Confusion over lack of information or a feeling of information overload
• Frustration over a lack of support
• Reduced self-esteem because of changes from surgery
• Embarrassment related to hair or skin changes caused by chemotherapy or radiation
• Feelings of resentment or guilt
• Apprehension about relationships, including sexual activity and intimacy
• A feeling of uncertainty or hopelessness
• Fear of not being cured or of death
• Fear of the disease coming back (recurrence)”.⁷