Early Menopause

by Hilary Maxwell, Chair
•
16 May, 2019

Women's fertility declines with age. However, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a disorder characterized by dysfunction of the ovary before 40 years of age - leading to symptoms of the menopause. Whilst this is, of course, very distressing for women, women with gynaecological cancers may have to cope with an induced artificial menopause.

This may be due to radical surgery where ovaries are removed as part of a total hysterectomy or chemo-radiotherapy. This can often have a devastating effect on women who are already coping with a diagnosis of cancer to learn they will go through an early menopause, cope with all the distressing symptoms of cancer and its treatment, but for younger women, in particular to lose all future opportunities of having further babies, or a baby at all can be almost be too painful to bear. This news can be severely distressing. If you are young. Not only are you likely to feel cheated with a diagnosis of a gynaecological cancer, but to know you will be infertile as well can tip the emotional scales - losing fertility or not having a the opportunity of a child can be a source of huge sorrow for women, leaving significant long-term emotional scars. We know women with gynaecological cancers need considerable support. Managing this part of your cancer treatment is just as important - its impact on quality of life is vital for a positive recovery.

So if this has affected you, please share your experiences and seek support on our private chat support page https://www.facebook.com/groups/gogirlssupportgroup/ or please email us at hello@gogirlssupport.org to tell us your story of early menopause induced by a gynaecological cancer.

Recent Articles

Meet Jessica

by Hilary Maxwell • 2 May 2022

We are delighted to welcome Jessica as a new Trustee.

In the process of becoming a lawyer, Jessica has played a pivotal role in assembling and guiding several businesses on a multitude of levels that assist in promoting ethical, social and industry standards. Alongside providing hands-on support to businesses, Jessica is a founder of charity Bona Fide, where she established and drove forward the ‘Beyond Bluewashing’ initiative, to bring public attention to the unethical corporate world and its effects on society. In addition, she has published many academic journals, articles and law reviews in the area of business law, as well as encouraging corporate philanthropic encouragement. Jessica is a keen advocator for causes close to her heart, one of which is related to GO Girls, as she is passionate about propelling forward awareness on these overshadowed cancers that impact many globally.