Hi, I did 18 weeks of paclitaxel last July to November and my periods just pretty much stopped altogether. I had all the symptoms of chemopause/menopause - terrible night sweats, hot flushes, etc., and thought I was probably in menopause. I had been told that given I started chemo at age 40, that my ovaries probably wouldn't recover and to expect to be pushed into early menopause. Then a couple of months after chemo, the hot flushes stopped and I thought maybe it was more the taxol than the hormones. Then in Feb, after not having had a period for 7 months, there it was. I was really happy (no idea why, but I was weirdly pleased even though I'm not planning on more children or anything). Except now it won't stop and I seem to be on a really short cycle. I have had 3 periods in 7 weeks, so the novelty has totally worn off. Has anyone else had this happen? How long do you think it will take to settle down? I was totally regular before and never had anything less than a 28 day cycle (except whern pregnant of course). I am not on any hormone drugs. I am stage 4 HER2+ so just on Herceptin and Perjeta now. CatM

They are a mystery those periods. I am 53 and upon diagnosis I stopped taking the contraceptive pill (which kept my periods as regular as clock work) on doctors advise. He said the cancer would have been feeding on it. From that day I never had another period for 4 months and then out of the blue on my second chemo dose I had the mother of all periods. My oncology doctor said chemo can do weird things and said it wasn't likely I would get another period while still on chemo. I have just had my final dose so we will have to wait and see. Oncology is not convinced I am totally done with menopause yet so I will be starting my hormone treatment with Tamoxifen for up to two years he said, just to make sure I am post menopause before we try other hormone treatments.

During peri- menopause that is what my periods did for about 28 months then they spaced out to months in between. You may well be going through normal menopsuse now, albeit at an earlier age. Perhaps a hormone test or gynecology referral might be warranted. Kath. X

Oh thanks Kath - clearly I know nothing about menopause! I had no idea that could happen. I will ask my doctor at my next visit. Can they tell from a hormone test (that's a blood test, yes?) if you're starting (or in) menopause? Can they tell how long it will last? Not keen on the idea of a heavy period every 3 weeks for the next year or two! My goodness. Cat

Just talked to my new oncologist today about this as I am 47 have just finished chemo, my periods have stopped and I am going through those wonderful hot flushes and night sweats and am not getting much sleep. He said given my age I had a 90% chance of the chemopause/menopause I am experiencing being permanent but there is still a chance my periods could come back anytime in the next 2 years and be very short cycle (like you describe) and/or irregular. This is because the chemo actually damages the ovarian tissue and oestrogen production so everything gets mucked up. They can tell from a blood test whether someone is in menopause or peri menopause (such prior to menopause) but the test won't tell you how long it will last symptoms or periods will last. Maybe gynaecologist can manage symptoms better? Ablation may be an option??? Hope you get relief soon

hi Cat i feel for u its bad enough going through menopause a few times but i would let your oncologist know even if u just ph their rooms & tell their receptionist. they may well have tested ur blood hormone levels automatically but your gp can do that. But i do know your oncologist needs to know because some of the medications are for pre-menopausal some for post-menopausal it may effect your outcome You definitely have been through the wars i hope you can get it sorted , Cheers ;)

periods after chemo?? | BCNA Online Network

14 Replies

primek
Member
10 years ago
I am also her+ ES + and had a bilateral mastectomy and have started recon. I was very fortunate to have found the lump at stage 1...by chance it was close to the nipple, 5 weeks after a clear annual mammogram. Currently about to complete last cycle of AC chemo and then will start paclitaxol and herceptin which I hope will be easier. Kath
airlie
Member
10 years ago
Hi Cat. What good news. Glad the chemo os doing its job. Its awful poison but we have to remember why we are taking the bloody poison.

You are very young Cat. Did you have any other symptoms other than a lump. I didn't. However I was always tired. Always assumed it was menopause. Lol

What do you mean by cancer markers?

I had scans, mri etc but cant remember that. I had radiation in my nippes to track cancer. Dont know if that is the same.

How long have you been on chemo and did you have radiation. I had double mastectomy node dissection. 4 rounds of EC fortnightly chemo and now 12 weeks of Paclitaxel. I see your on another drug. Is it also chemo.

I will keep in touch if thats ok Cat. Not many see to be HER2. interesting to follow and read what effects some and what doesnt. Its lovely to chat to women going through the same. I find it very kind and heartwarming

Hugs to you Cat.

?? keep in touch Airlie
CatM
Member
10 years ago
Hi Airlie,

I don't mind at all being asked. Sometimes they can operate on liver. In my case, no. Chemo was very effective and achieved significant reductions in all tumours. Am in remission, on herceptin and perjeta indefinitely. Seems to be working. Tumour markers holding. No increase.

Cat ??
airlie
Member
10 years ago
Hi Cat,

Thanks for letting me know. I hope you didn't mind me asking. I guess I am still a bit ignorant or maybe just don't want to know any more than what I have to.

Can they operate on your liver?

I do hope chemo is helping you.

Keep in touch with your progress.

Airlie ??
CatM
Member
10 years ago
Hi Airlie,

Thanks for your message. Had an ablation, which has sorted the bleeding. Thank goodness. I was diagnosed at stage 4 via the following - found a lump, sent to mammogram and ultrasound. Had a fine needle biopsy. The above showed cancer in breast and lymph nodes. Referred to breast surgeon, who ordered blood tests (tumour marker), MRI, core biopsy, bone scan, CT chest and abdomen, CT head. The tumour markets were quite high so basically they went looking as they said breast cancer generally goes to bones, liver, lungs and brain. They knew it was already in the nodes. Scans showed significant disease in liver. So that made me stage 4. Does that help?

Cat xx
airlie
Member
10 years ago
Hi ya.

Sorry to hear about those blasted periods. I am post menopause now but while during peri menopause my periods were much like yours. (Unfortunately)

I do hope you can get some relief from a good gyno.

I am stage 3 Her2+ and will be on my next lot of chemo and Herceptin next week.

May I ask how you were diagnosed with stage 4. As in was it due to node involvement. Only if you want to answer.

Thinking of you.

Airlie ??

Stay in touch and bugger off periods

Airlie ??
Cook65
Member
10 years ago
Hi Cat

Ive had two endometrial ablations 10 years apart. They work a treat. I was having extremely heavy periods for 16 days every 3 weeks and ended up anaemic. The first ablation was considered a failure because I still got periods for 4-5 days every 4 weeks but they were light. To me it was a miracle. After 10 years, things started going back to what they were in my younger years, so I had another one. I haven't had a period now for 4 years (I'm 50). I was in early menopause when I was diagnosed and chemo has pushed me through completely, so I am now post menopausal. Yeehaw!!! Hopefully the gyno will get you all sorted. Good luck. Karen xox
primek
Member
10 years ago
The blood test can tell if you are in peri menopause but not how long it will last. If it continues really heavy and frequent get a referral to a gynae. If too heavy too long you will become anaemic? Kath. X
CatM
Member
10 years ago
Thanks everyone. I went to see my GP today as I have never had such heavy bleeding. This is way more than I had even after giving birth. GP said try ibuprofen (which I was actually already taking for a head cold) and gave me a referral to a gynaecologist for possible ablation. GP said mirena coil might be an option, but I'm really not keen on the idea of a coil. I have heard so many bad things. I googled endometrial ablation and it doesn't look so bad. See my onc next week so will see what he says. Xx
deeney
Member
10 years ago
hi Cat i feel for u its bad enough going through menopause a few times but i would let your oncologist know even if u just ph their rooms & tell their receptionist. they may well have tested ur blood hormone levels automatically but your gp can do that. But i do know your oncologist needs to know because some of the medications are for pre-menopausal some for post-menopausal it may effect your outcome You definitely have been through the wars i hope you can get it sorted , Cheers ;)