Will Aunt Flow ever visit again?

badmamajama

Hello Ladies,

Just wondering if any one has gotten their period back after chemo. I finished chemo end of July 09 and I haven't. I had started having night sweats and hot flashes before chemo.  So I am wondering if I will get it back. (I 'm only 44). Can't say that I missed it but was kinda looking for anyway to lose some of this weight. --Thinking  that menopause will cause my metabolism to slow down even more 

maryannecb

My period stopped after the 5th treatmnet but came back 5-6 months later...still regular 5 years laterat 48.

tamlyn110

Sorry I don't have an answer for you. I was also wondering and was going to ask this same question. I am 42 and just finished chemo.

Claire_in_Seattle

Dear Jama,

If you were having hot flashes and night sweats prior to, I suspect there is a good chance your period may not come back.  You can get a follicle test just to know for sure.

Trust me, you are not missing much as PMS in your 40s is the pits.  And believe it or not, 44 is not unusually early for menopause.

As for your metabolism, it can be revved up again.  Just takes aerobic exercise and weights/crunches.  I can say this for a fact, as I am 15 years older than you are, and I am fit and toned.  And this is even true going through chemo.

My weight was up a bit before breast cancer as I had gone through a divorce three years prior, and I have lost just a healthy amount.  I came into this experience being very fit, so it was a case of reclaiming my fitness level and exercising when I could.

So keeping your metabolism moving post menopause (or post chemo) is very possible, but requires a conscious choice....and the discipline to follow through.  My avatar picture was taken the Saturday after my first chemo, and I am about 10 pounds thinner now.

The other thing I want to mention is that regular exercise is the single most important thing most of us can do for ourselves, aside from completing treatment, as it is associated with a 50% reduction in mortality (Melinda Irwin).  Plus, it preserves bone density and wards a whole lot of other stuff you don't want.

So while losing your period is inevitable sooner or later, losing muscle mass isn't.  Just takes a bit of extra work, and things like cycling are even fun.  Good luck. - Claire

(Note: the other person to read on this topic is Miriam Nelson.  Even women in their 80s and 90s can get stronger.)

gfbaker

I got my period after about 10 months post chemo. It has been on again/off again, not sure if it is the chemo or early perimenopause (I'm 40), but you could still get your period back. My FSH levels were up & down & my onc was convinced I wasn't going back, so I don't know if there is any way to know for sure. We always complain about it when we have it, but I hope you are able to get your Aunt Flo again!

angelsabove

I had a period right before my second treatment. It then stopped and returned two weeks after end of chemo. That was Dec. 1st 2009....TO DATE NO RETURN. I am gonna have the FSH test on Monday. Hot Flashes have gotten better, but it may be the Effexor...LOL

dreamwriter

Just a question but if you are on tamoxifen or femara.... or any of the other AI's then it is unlikely you will ever see Aunt Flow, the cardinal, in the hammock, that Special Time, time of the month,  woman's time....