Jess Westcott and Chloe Nall met at high school and work at the same hospital in Victoria. In 2023, at the age of 27, they were both diagnosed with breast cancer – Jess first, then Chloe 6 weeks later. They underwent the same treatment, leading them into a temporary medically induced menopause. Now 2 years on, the friends explain what it’s like navigating menopause in your 20s.
“I was really fortunate that I reconnected with Jess very early in my treatment journey,” says Chloe. “I had this beautiful ally that waltzed into my life – someone who had lived experience.”
For Jess and Chloe, the journey from cancer into medically induced menopause was a whirlwind.
After discovering a breast lump and getting their diagnosis, both women underwent chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. To reduce the likelihood of the cancer returning, they also started hormone blocking therapy, which has put them into temporary menopause. This therapy will continue for the next 5 to 8 years.
In Australia, the average age of menopause is 51, but it can happen earlier or later. Medically induced menopause is when menopause happens because of cancer treatment, surgery or medication. Depending on the treatment and other factors, the menopause can be temporary or permanent.
Looking back, Jess, a social worker, says medically induced menopause “sweeps you off your feet”.
“The side effects come on pretty much overnight compared to natural menopause where you've got a couple of months or years to adapt.”
Adds Chloe, a nurse midwife: “Something flicked and your body just didn't feel like it used to.”
Since the onset of menopause, both women have battled a range of symptoms.
“It's more than just hot flushes, though they can be debilitating,” says Jess. “Joint pain and stiffness, insomnia, low energy and mood changes are all things I experience. I feel like I am in the body of a 50-year-old. My friends can't relate, and the thought of dating is very daunting,” she adds.
For Chloe, brain fog has been “huge”. “It's really strange losing your train of thought more than the average woman of our age and being completely lost for words.”
She says other menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and changes in her weight and sex drive, have been similarly confronting. “I've definitely struggled with my body image since I've been menopausal.
“Unwelcomed feelings park themselves in your mind that are really hard to move.”
Due to the nature of their cancer and treatment, both women can’t take menopausal hormonal therapy to ease their symptoms. Jess says finding other therapies that work for her continues to involve “trial and error”.
The hope is that once they finish cancer treatment, their periods will return.
If pregnancy is part of the future, Chloe says “it will be planned, very planned, probably down to the minute”.
“The future is still bright, don't get me wrong,” she adds. “But it's just a very different world and a very different body than what I thought I would have.”
Throughout their journey, both women agree their greatest lifeline has been their support network – be it friends, family, colleagues and each other.
For Jess, being able to laugh and complain about hot flushes with the support group Boob Club has been another source of comfort. “I just can't describe how powerful it is to sit amongst people that know exactly what you're going through,” she says. “I didn’t feel I was burdening them or boring them [with my struggles].”
Although Jess received information about what to expect from menopause early in her journey, she says it was hard to absorb in all the chaos. “A lot of the information was also tailored towards someone a couple of decades older.”
“Women need better support and information as they navigate this difficult journey,” Jess adds. “I want other women to know they’re not alone. Sharing my story is my way of validating and normalising this experience for women like me and Chloe.”
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health has partnered with Inherited Cancers Australia to ensure that women experiencing medically induced menopause are not overlooked in national health conversations. Together, we have published new information for those navigating medically induced menopause. For updates, follow us on social media.
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