What options exist for breast cancer survivors experiencing menopausal symptoms?
Here at Alloy, we understand that breast cancer survivors often face unique challenges when it comes to managing menopausal symptoms. While we do not prescribe systemic hormone therapy (like pills or patches) or birth control to women who have had invasive breast cancer, there are still effective options available:
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Non-hormonal treatments:
- Low-dose Paroxetine is an FDA-approved, non-hormonal medication proven to relieve hot flashes and night sweats. You can learn more or start a prescription with a menopause-trained doctor on our Paroxetine product page.
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Localized vaginal treatments:
- For symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, painful sex, or frequent UTIs, topical vaginal estrogen (such as our Estradiol Vaginal Cream) can often be used safely, even for breast cancer survivors. The amount of estrogen absorbed is extremely low and does not significantly affect blood estrogen levels. It is always recommended to discuss this with your oncologist or gynecologist.
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Sexual health support:
- Products like O-mazing, along with vaginal estrogen, can help address sexual health concerns such as low desire, arousal issues, and painful sex. Check out our Sexual Health Bundle for more information.
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Lifestyle and wellness:
- Focus on bone health, cardiovascular health, and nutrition. We recommend watching our webinar with Dr. Mary Claire Haver for excellent advice on nourishing your body during menopause.
For a deeper dive into the science and personal stories around menopause and breast cancer, we highly recommend watching our YouTube webinar with Dr. Avrum Bluming and Dr. Corinne Menn, which covers treatment options, safety, and the latest research.
You can also visit our dedicated Breast Cancer & Menopause FAQ page for more detailed answers and resources.
If you’re interested in exploring these options, visit our product solutions page or take our online assessment to get personalized recommendations from a menopause-trained doctor. At Alloy, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
This answer was created using the following resources: