Elena Ratner, MD, of the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale, explains the interaction between menopause in women and treatments for breast cancer.

Treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy, and certain hormonal agents can affect menopause and induce it more severely in patients with breast cancer. However, Ratner suggests a number of options to help with this, including herbal medications and integrative therapies such as exercise or acupuncture. With the Sexual Intimacy & Menopause Program at Smilow, Ratner provides personalized care to patients with menopause-related issues.

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Dr. Elena Ratner discusses the interaction between menopause and certain treatments for breast cancer. 

Elena Ratner on Menopause and Breast Cancer Treatments

Elena Ratner, MD, of the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven stresses the importance of bringing up intimacy and sexuality issues with patients who have gynecologic or other cancers.

She advocates the use of a private questionnaire that patients can answer or even just an open question from the provider, such as "Is there anything you'd like to discuss about your intimacy or sexual life?"

Elena Ratner, MD, of the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven stresses the importance of bringing up intimacy and sexuality issues with patients.

Elena Ratner, MD

Articles

Elena Ratner on Menopause and Breast Cancer Treatments

Elena Ratner Encourages Providers to Discuss Sexual Health with Patients