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Milly21's avatar
Milly21
Member
4 years ago

Endometrial hyperplasia and polyps on tamoxifen

Hi
i have been taking tamoxifen for 4years and 7 months, after 2 years on tamoxifen I had hysteroscopy and d and c.because thickened endometrium and bleeding,went along ok till now where having a lot of pain and bleeding for 5 weeks,my gynaecologist has booked me for another hysteroscopy and d and c,I will also be getting a ablation at same time,  he will remove polyps.
gynaecologist has said this is going to continue to be a problem,he said get all this done and ideally stop tamoxifen,although he suggested to talk to oncologist first.has anyone had to cut taking tamoxifen short as problems similar,my oncologist probably will be ok with me stopping it I think,
the problems I’m having gynaecology are making life abit miserable lately and really didn’t want to keep getting these procedures as suffered with it last time,although I’m aware there are far worse things people are dealing with.
Thanks 

6 Replies

  • Dory65's avatar
    Dory65
    Member
    4 years ago
     Yes, me too. Endometrial hyperplasia caused by Tamoxifen. Hysteroscopy. Polyp. Nothing sinister. Went away once I changed to Letrozole tablets and Zoladex injections.
  • StrongCoffee's avatar
    StrongCoffee
    Member
    4 years ago
    I'm also pre-menopausal and my oncologist offered me the option of an AI with monthly injections to shut down my ovaries, as I also didn't have chemo (genomic testing did not recommend it) and this is the slightly more effective option. So definitely talk to your oncologist.

    Also, the most recent research I could find - and my oncologist confirmed this - is the most effective treatment has been shown to be switching off tamoxifen at 5 years and onto an AI for a further 5 years. So that's some other food for thought. 

    I've only been on tamoxifen for 2 months, but I did have a hysteroscopy, d&c and ablation due to persistent low iron approx 12 months ago. It was such successful! I went from 7 day periods to 1 day with noticeable spotting plus a day either side with maybe a touch of colour. This hasn't changed so far. I know the 'risk' of needing a repeat ablation in a few years varies due to age - at 45, there is not much risk as my body is getting ready to pack up the baby making shop! But I'm not sure if the tamoxifen will change that. I may switch to an AI earlier if it seems to.
  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    4 years ago
    I’m also pre-menopausal. Was given Letrozole as it’s stronger and I skipped chemo. I need to also have monthly Zoladex injections to suppress my ovary function and keep me in artificial menopause while I’m on the AI. I’ve since switched to Arimidex, still have monthly shots. Used to have painful and long periods and bad PMS, now no more 🙂. 
  • Milly21's avatar
    Milly21
    Member
    4 years ago
    That sounds like a good alternative,I’m 45 and premenopausal,I will google it,as wasn’t sure what else I can take,thanks 
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    4 years ago
    My problems were the same and Medical Oncologist changed me from Tamoxifen to Letrozole (Femara).  Upside ovaries have shrunk,  no more thickening,  no more polyps and visit to Gynaecology Oncologist now out to 2 year intervals

    Take care