Hi Girlies I'm interested to know if anyones period has returned after chemo?I have triple negative bc so I wont receive any hormone therapy as it doesn't respond. I have recently undergone fertility treament to harvest some embryos prior to chemo but I was unable to produce any eggs. The doctor explained before I lay on the operating table that he would try his best but my estrogen levels were really low. I intially was prescribed femarra as they were unware I had triple negative. This lowers estrogen apparently. I also had a small implant placed under the skin on my tummy to protect my ovaries but it has a pretty low success rate apparently. There is still a chance I will go into early menopause but my periods may come back. I'm gutted and I am not coping with it very well to be honest. I see my oncologist next Tues so will probably start chemo soon. I dont know if I will be able to fit in another cycle, I am willing to postpone chemo for a couple of weeks to try another cycle but my husband and parents are not too keen on the idea. They think I dont need the addtional stress and its only really insurance policy but ultimatley its my decision. Has anyone else been in this predicament? Need some words of wisdom from people who have been there. xxx

My story is completely different but I have periods on/off despit being on chemo for 2 1/2 year now. I am 40. I was 38 when I started treatment. I am hormone negative but Her2 pos - never had hormone therapy. My periods initially stopped midway through treatment. They started again last year but have recently stopped again. We are all so very different. Hopefully you will get some responses here. There is also a facebook group of young women with BC that you may find is helpful as there are 100's of members contibuting and there are bound to be many in similar situations. I wish you the best. A x

When I first had chemo in 2002 (aged 34), my periods continued regularly during the whole 6 months! The second time I had chemo (2011 aged 43) my periods did stop, but my 'robust' ovaries looked like they were going to swing back into action so I had them removed. Good luck with everything x Jane

Ask a nurse or doctor for your situation, but for me they were nearly finished anyway. I am 47, so got the instant menopause thanks to Chemo. Not sure about that one - we are all different. xBel

I was diagnosed in1990 aged 34, with a lumpectomy, had chemo and radio, no hormone therapy. Not offered any help with future fertility issues, simply told you may not be able to have children. Pre Internet days, so no advice available on line. My periods did not stop, however went from 5 days to 2 days, and stayed that way. Our beautiful naturally conceived daughter was born in1995, now a happy robust 18 year old. So my cloud did have a silver lining, I hope you find yours. XxMaree

Periods, do they return after chemo?

17 Replies

LeeTeamAndo
Member
11 years ago
Lovely Maree, thanks for posting :-)
samyjohn
Member
11 years ago
Hi,

Chemo does affect your overall body , so it has certain effects on your menopause system as well. This effects vary from person to person so there is no specific yes/no answer to it. Better option is to take help or advice from your doctor. Apart from this for your menstruation issue you can take certain help from coupe menstruelle . Let me know if this helps as it helped me really..
juliegl
Member
11 years ago
Good on you for being aware. It came as a rude shock & with a vengeance. 11 months after my last one.
Mrsmanky
Member
11 years ago
Hi I am Beverley I had a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes. I have done chemo, radium and still on herceptin. Now on tamoxifen. I have not had a period since November after my first session of chemo. But the last three or four days I am feeling bloated and uncomfortable and feeling a bit sick. It feels as though I am going to get my period.
Mrsmanky
Member
11 years ago
Hi I am Beverley I had a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes. I have done chemo, radium and still on herceptin. Now on tamoxifen. I have not had a period since November after my first session of chemo. But the last three or four days I am feeling bloated and uncomfortable and feeling a bit sick. It feels as though I am going to get my period.
Fiona
Member
12 years ago
Hi Deanne, I've been on Tamoxifen for 4 years. I've got all the normal period signs.... will go next week... thank you for your advice,,, scary ... x Fi
Deanne
Member
12 years ago
Are you on any hormone therapy? I am about to start tamoxifen and the oncologist told me that if I have any changes/different bleeding etc to get it checked out straight away. After so long without a period I would get it checked even if you are not on any hormone therapy. It pays to be careful with our history and doctors never mind. Hope it turns out to be just a bit of hormone changes. Deanne xx
gilliann
Member
12 years ago
I haven't had a period since I started chemo. I start my 3rd round of FEC next Wednesday, then 3 Docetaxel. I'v had 2 failed attemps to harvest my eggs.

I just hope they come back it seems everyone around me is having babies at the moment. I know I have other things to contend with but this definitley been a difficult part of my journey.
juliegl
Member
12 years ago
I think I just got mine back and was wanting to search for a post on the same thing. All terrible menopause symptoms had stopped so had enough oestrogen for that but not enough to ovulate. I thought that was pretty cool. Until today. I was told at 38 that i had a 70% my periods etc would restore. Then at 39 I was told it was 50-50. so I guess the younger you are the more likely to recover. Have you joined the young pink sisters on facebook yet? Do so. Lots of people on that. All the best. Follow your gut feeling. Julie
juliegl
Member
12 years ago
I think I just got mine back and was wanting to search for a post on the same thing. All terrible menopause symptoms had stopped so had enough oestrogen for that but not enough to ovulate. I thought that was pretty cool. Until today. I was told at 38 that i had a 70% my periods etc would restore. Then at 39 I was told it was 50-50. so I guess the younger you are the more likely to recover. Have you joined the young pink sisters on facebook yet? Do so. Lots of people on that. All the best. Follow your gut feeling. Julie