Premature Menopause after Cervical Cancer Treatment - A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Within developed countries there is a considerable variation in incidence with lowest incidence in Australia ( 4.9 per 100,000) compared to Northern Ireland (10 per 100,000). There are two peaks in the age-specific incidence rates: the first in women aged <40 and the second in women >80. Cervical cancer is often diagnosed in women of reproductive age and the majority of these younger women are diagnosed at an early stage resulting in good long term survival rates. Most women staged higher than Ib1 receive chemoradiation inducing ovarian failure. These women need effective hormone replacement therapy for symptom relief, bone protection. Sudden onset of premature menopause induced by chemoradiation causes significant symptoms in most young women. These symptoms include flushes, sweats, mood changes, palpitations, joint pains, vaginal dryness and loss of libido.