Menstrual Tips for Individuals Undergoing Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is an exciting treatment option that boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer. However, like other cancer treatments, it can impact your menstrual cycle in various ways. Immunotherapy affects the body’s immune response, which can sometimes disrupt hormone production, leading to changes in your cycle. While the effects vary, knowing what to expect can help you feel more in control during treatment.
How Immunotherapy Affects the Menstrual Cycle
Unlike chemotherapy or radiation, which directly targets cells, immunotherapy works by strengthening your immune system. However, this can still lead to menstrual irregularities. The immune response stimulated by immunotherapy may affect the balance of reproductive hormones, potentially causing irregular periods, missed periods, or lighter periods. The severity of these changes varies from person to person and may also depend on the specific type of immunotherapy used.
Discuss Fertility Concerns Before Immunotherapy
Before starting immunotherapy, it’s important to discuss fertility preservation options with your oncologist. While immunotherapy may be less likely to affect fertility than other treatments, there is still a risk of hormonal disruption, which could impact your ability to conceive in the future.
Why Discuss Fertility?
Immunotherapy can indirectly affect fertility by altering the immune response and hormone regulation. If you are planning to have children in the future, discussing fertility preservation options before treatment begins ensures you have a plan in place and can take proactive steps to protect your fertility.
Questions to Ask Your Oncologist:
Will immunotherapy affect my fertility or cause early menopause?
Should I consider fertility preservation before starting immunotherapy?
How likely is it that my periods will return to normal after treatment?
What fertility options are available if immunotherapy affects my menstrual cycle?
Can I consult a fertility specialist before beginning treatment?
If you’re unsure about the answers you receive or experience pushback when raising these concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I can provide guidance and help you advocate for your fertility health.
Managing Menstrual Symptoms During Immunotherapy
While immunotherapy is generally less harsh on the reproductive system than other treatments, it’s important to be prepared for any menstrual changes:
Monitor Your Symptoms
Keep track of changes to your menstrual cycle and any accompanying symptoms, such as cramping or spotting, so you can report them to your healthcare team.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Nutrient-Rich Foods
Proper hydration and nutrition can help manage side effects, including fatigue or changes in menstruation.
Manage Fatigue and Stress
Immunotherapy can cause fatigue, which may worsen menstrual symptoms. Gentle exercise, mindfulness, or short walks can help relieve stress and boost energy levels.
Discuss Symptom Management
If you experience significant changes, such as pain or heavy bleeding, talk to your doctor about managing these symptoms safely during immunotherapy.
Curious to learn more?
Book: The Breakthrough: Immunotherapy and the Race to Cure Cancer by Charles Graeber
This book dives into the science behind immunotherapy and how it works, providing a deeper understanding of its potential side effects, including its impact on hormonal balance and menstrual health.
Coming Up!
Next week, we’ll be diving into our final how menstrual cycles are impacted by various cancer treatments, and it will be all about clinical trials, along with tips to help manage these changes.
Also, starting this month, our series on individual hormones and how they are impacted by cancer!
