Has anyone else had their periods return after thinking that chemo had put them into early menopause? I have not had a period since chemo (August, 2013) put a stop to them at the age of 47. My oncologist told me that at my age chemo induced menopause is usually permanent but suddenly after almost 20 months of no periods I seem to be having one. Have all the usual symptoms including some fairly uncomfortable cramps and bloating. At 49 I was thinking this was all behind me and now am not sure what is happening. Have an appointment with my oncologist this Thursday and an appointment with a gynecologist next week to hopefully work out what my body and hormones are up to. Am just wondering if anyone else has had this happen? Deanne xxx

Goodness Deanne,that's a surprise that you could do without!!!I can't comment as I was in menopause when I was diagnosed,but I am wondering if the fact that you have worked so hard on your fitness and health could have something to do with it.So many ladies struggle to get back to where they were before diagnosis,but you have improved on your health.I am interested to know what your oncologist says.Cheers Robyn

Yes, it is certainly a surprise I could have done without! It will be interesting to see what my oncologist says and I hope that I can get it sorted quickly. With only just over a month to go before I am supposed to start my trek this is a real bummer! Still I am glad that it has happened now rather than in Nepal! Will let you know how I go with the oncologist. :) xxx

Hi Deanne, my first diagnosis was at 47. I remember my GP saying to me after I had finished treatment that I shouldn't be surprised if I suddenly get a period out of the blue. I was peri menopausal before treatment. Having a period say every 3 months. However the recurrence the following year and more chemo probably put paid to all that. At least you aren't in Nepal. Hope the training going well. Good luck with your appointments will be Interested to hear what Dr says. Another thought and as I am triple neg and have never taken tamoxifen am no expert but I worked with a lady who had bleeding issues whilst on Tamoxifen, something to do with it affecting lining of uterus. If that were the case it has been a while before it happened so maybe not take care Paula x

Hi Deanne My oncologist told me that my periods MIGHT come back and not to be surprised if they did, but apparently one of the side effects of tamoxifen can be endometrial cancer so her advice was that if I got bleeding to see her or my GP to check its not endometrial cancer requiring a D & C but probably it would just be my periods coming back. Be interested what your oncologist tells you. that is just what my oncologist told me as they have to tell you the risks however slight the risk is. Let us know how you go. fingers crossed. Marg xx

Hi Paula Training is going pretty well, although I still worry about whether I will be fit enough!! Good to hear that your GP said it would not be out of the question to have a period after treatment. I have also read that Tamoxifen can cause issues with the lining of the uterus. Not sure what will be the best case scenario to hope for. Guess I can't change anything, just see what they think and follow the advice of the doctors. :)

Periods returning while on Tamoxifen

18 Replies

BRFacilitator
Member
11 years ago
Hi Deanne, Not sue if you have had the hysteroscopy yet? Did I get the name right. Hope it went well and you are recovering quickly. Or good luck if you haven't. Just thinking of you. Paula x
mum2jj
Member
11 years ago
Hi Deanne, I have had such a busy week and just popped on and remembered you were getting results today. Wow, can you believe that. Not in menopause. Good for you getting it all checked out. I think you are wise to go ahead with the surgery, just sorry you have to have more surgery. However in keeping with doing whatever you can to prevent a return of cancer then it's a no brainer. What a thorough gynecologist you have. Aren't we lucky to live in a country where we have access to such great health care. Take care. Paula x
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
Blood Test says I am not in menopause, so after the trek I will have ovaries and Fallopian tubes out. The gynecologist was thorough and next week I will have a Hysteroscopy to check that there are no changes in the lining of the uterus. Any sign of trouble in this area and I will have a full hysterectomy instead of just the ovaries and Fallopian tubes. So that is the plan for now. :) Deanne xxx
mum2jj
Member
11 years ago
Wise man (or lady) your oncologist :). Keep us posted. Paula x
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
Yes, so far so good. It was the oncologist who suggested that it would be best to remove the ovaries if they have started to produce hormones again. I guess it will not make much difference to my life at this point as chemo already had this effect for almost 2 years anyway. I don't need them to be producing even a sporadic extra supply of estrogen and giving my Cancer any extra opportunity to find it! I guess it will mean that I can change to one of the aromatose drugs which do give slightly better protection than tamoxifen. But I will just have to wait till Wednesday and see what the blood test said. :)
mum2jj
Member
11 years ago
Well that sounds promising. The blood test will reveal all. I am starting to wonder about my ovaries. Clearly not working. Not sure why I still have them. Was it the oncologists suggestion to remove them? Not long to go now for the big trek:) P x
margiemoo
Member
11 years ago
thats great news. You have been looking after yourself and regaining your health again. Well done! I have just returned from the gym - been going 3 times a week and am now doing 76 minute workouts to try and lose the weight I put on with chemo. Its hard work but I will plug away at it. I am working full time, doing the gym and trying to live life. I get a bit tired still sometimes and wish the fluid retention would go away but other than that all is going well at present. good luck with the blood test and also nepal Marg xx
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
Update after visit with oncologist. She feels that it is most likely my body returning to 'normal' functioning. Have had a blood test to check hormone levels before I see the gynecologist next week. If it shows my ovaries have started to function again then the plan will be to remove these but that can wait a month or two till I get back from Nepal! So for now it looks like nothing sinister just my body trying to return to normal after all the chemo effects have worn off!! Fingers crossed this is the case. :) Deanne xxx
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Robyn. Am a bit less worried after hearing that this is not uncommon! Am keeping busy and hopefully will be all checked and sorted soon!
Robyn_W
Member
11 years ago
Try not to worry Deanne.Do you remember a few months back when I had some bleeding ? I had to have a hysteroscopy just to check,and the gynae oncologist told me then that endometrial Cancer is NOT common when you are on Tamoxifen,but some bleeding is not uncommon.Mine has settled on its own and I have had none for quite a while now.Cheers Robyn