Teenager’s ‘Embarrassing’ Symptom Led to Early Menopause Diagnosis, Fuels Medical Aspirations
stoke-on-Trent, england – A young woman is sharing her story of early menopause triggered by cancer treatment, hoping to break the stigma surrounding the condition and empower others facing similar challenges. Ellie, now a medical student, experienced what she initially dismissed as an “embarrassing” symptom before receiving a devastating diagnosis that ultimately led to early menopause.
Ellie began experiencing irregular periods at age 13, a symptom she initially hesitated to discuss with anyone. After seeking medical attention, she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment that induced early menopause. She describes a period of grappling with physical changes and emotional distress, compounded by a lack of open conversation about the condition. ”I was just like, ‘Oh, this is embarrassing, I don’t want to talk about it,’ and then I was thrown into the deep end with, ‘Right, you need to change yoru patches and take hormones and all this and that.'”
Since September 2021, Ellie has been studying Medicine at Keele University, with plans to qualify as a doctor in August 2026. she intends to specialize in oncology, driven by a desire to use her personal experience to support others navigating cancer and its side effects.
“For me, it’s just all about acceptance – accepting my situation, making sure I don’t bottle it up, talk to people about it,” Ellie explained. “then by doing stuff like this, raising awareness, it makes me feel like there’s a positive out of a bad situation. A bit of a silver lining.”
She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and knowledge. “I always say to people that are going through a similar situation to me: Empower yourself with knowledge.Read everything that you can about early menopause, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, as you are your own best advocate… By having that knowledge, you can get access to the treatment that you need and the support that you need. I wish that, all those years ago, I knew a bit more.”
Ellie highlights that early menopause remains a taboo topic, frequently enough shrouded in shame.
Claire Taylor, chief nursing officer at Macmillan Cancer support, acknowledged the challenges faced by women experiencing treatment-induced menopause.”Navigating treatment-induced menopause can be an incredibly challenging time – and many women are still going through this process feeling overwhelmed and alone,” she said. Macmillan offers specialist advice and support through its Macmillan Support Line, Cancer Information and Support Centres, and Online Community.
