Periods DURING Chemo

Kelley41

Periods DURING Chemo

Kelley41

I already had two chemo treatments and am due again next wednesday for my third treatment.  I am recieving TC every 3 weeks for a total of 4 treatments.  I was under the impression that periods were suppose to cease during chemo.  Not only did I get my period but today is day 10 of very heavy flow.  I called oncon office because I am soooo tired and hope my period is not making my iron levels low.  They had me go get my blood drawn and will get results tomorrow on that - they also said to call obgyn office.  I called my obgyn and talked to the nurse and she was like "yea that happens sometimes, keep an eye on it and call us back in a few days"  Has this happened to anyone else?   (Sorry to be talking about such a personal thing....but I want to know I am not the only one out there that this has happened to) Thanks - Kelley

Mickey32

Kelley,

This happened to me, too, every two weeks during chemo and very heavy....it finally stopped altogether right before my 4th (and final) treatment.  It returned 4 months later, though.  My ovaries are definitely stubborn!  Hope you feel better, I'm praying for you!

JennyB100104

Wow--I just had my second chemo today, and I did have a very heavy (and strange) period that lasted about a week in between #1 and #2. I woke up today for #2 and guess what's here yet again?

My onc did say that it was my ovaries making a last stand. Kind of disconcerting, though. My hemoglobin is going down, too. Today it was at 10.4 (normal 12)...ugh. No wonder I'm so breathless and tired when I try to work out!

alison34

hi

i started a thread on this subject also, i have done four rounds of chemo with two more to go and i am still having periods, i also wondered if this was normal as i was also told these would stop.

mine are heavy but do only last four days

dont know if these will stop now or not ??

danielle321

Hi everyone,

 I'm getting ready to have my 3rd AC today and 2 days ago started spotting and today it's full flow.  This happened two weeks ago when I had the 2nd treatment too.  I thought at least my darned period would stop during chemo, is it too much to ask for one good thing out of this?

I will ask my doc today about it.  The pain is they say don't wear tampons, UGH!

Rachel1

I just had my first AC 1-1/2 weeks ago and started spotting then got a heavy period. I'm so glad to read this because I thought maybe it was just me.  Great -- my ovaries last stand! Danielle, why can't you wear tampons -- I have been.Thanks, Rachel

Lena

I did chemo last year (6 rounds of TAC April-July 2009) and I had one period after treatment. That is, my first infusion was April 9th, then I got (didn't know it then but turned out to be my last) period on April 22nd, just before my second infusion. So I guess sometimes chemopause takes awhile, or you all must be younger women...? I was 47 and perimenopausal at the time I was diagnosed/started treatment. They told me at my age, chemo would probably end my periods forever. They were right. No, I don't miss them, but I could really live without the hot flashes! Oh, and no, they didn't tell me to avoid tampons if I was somehow going to menstruate anyway...so when I had that last period, I used my Tampax.

~Lena. 

nasharayne

I was also told no tampons during chemo - greater risk for infection

danielle321

Talked to the doctor and she said "Yep, chemo does weird things to your body".  She also said my period may or may not stop but due to my age I would probably start right back up when chemo is done.

Definitely no tampons!  Which absolutely disgusts me and makes everything even worse.  But they say the tampons harbor bacteria and you could end up with a really nasty infection from using them.  So, I pray, pray, pray that I don't get another period while on chemo.

Wish I could just blink and it would be the end of Sept. and I'd be done with this part of it all.  Then I could get my real, fake boobs instead of these coconuts I have now and be done with it.

Oh well,  doesn't everyone always tell us how it could always be worse.  Guess they're right but it still sucks.

Janiekc2000

I am 47 and haven't had a period in ages and then this morning noticed spotting and was all WHAT THE HELL IS THIS NONSENSE?? I asked my husband what was going on since he reads everything and he told me, yup, this happens. I had a bunch of lower back pain last night that reminded me of having a period, but it never occurred to me that was what was going on. For pete's sake.

FaithFollower

Having my second chemo on Thurs (CT) and was reassured that chemo would stop my ovaries from producing since I'm ER/PR positive.  I got my period over the weekend!  If chemo doesn't stop my ovaries than Tamoxifen won't either -- I'm gonna get them out!

Wendy
43; Stage 1 IDC node & HER2 negative

Dawn46

I'm with you marriedblis. I am getting ready for round 3 of TC next Thursday. I have the signs of it coming on and if mine continue I am also going to question having a hysterectomy. SE's are bad enough, don't want to deal with the PMS on top of it...lol

nikola

Hello,

same here. Had my first T/C Tx last Monday and yesterday got my period, a week early. I am 42 and had regular periods.  I was hoping this would be the last one but by reading Your posts I am not so sure anymore.

What else is in the store?

monisch

wow  you ladies are scary  LOL  I have had heavy periods for about a year now..and now I hear they get heavier ??!!!  omg i will bleed to death   I havent used Tampons in a while since they cant hold up to the flow..... may have to wear diapers during huh LOL  well im hoping that the opposite will happen to me when i get my first flow after first treament.

Anything else I need to worry about ????

FaithFollower

My concern is, if my cancer is er/pr + and my ovaries are still producing said hormones, then wouldn't it make more sense to stop the production prior to chemo for the best possible result?  It seems to me its counterproductive in a way -- what if chemo doesn't get everything and my hormonies are not going down w/o a fight obviously...I DONT want to do this again!

sptmm62

OMG, I am so glad I am not alone.  I am on TC X 4 and had my first treatment two weeks ago.  Very few side effects, except this one...I am bleeding to death!! I got my period on Monday and on Wednesday it went maximum flow and hasn't stopped since.  I asked my onco and he said "cancer really rocks the ovaries".  Apparently most of the time it shuts them down but sometimes it kicks them into overdrive.  He didn't seem too concerned however, but your point marriedblis about the er/pr+ does make me think twice.  He did tell me to start taking iron again because I have a tendancy to anemia.  Does anyone know when I can expect it to stop.  I seriously am waking up every 3 hours at night soaked, even using a maximum overnight pad.  I am seriously considering the diapers.

Ondagrow

I had chemo August 2, and a Zolodex shot August 4...

I am getting all kinds of side effect...TMI TMI TMI

Chemo: This is twelve days after (I cut my hair on top of my head 2 days before chemo, I cannot tell if that is shedding)  In my private area, I see hair shedding...lots of it...My nails are discolored...especially my thumbs.  I am bleeding profusely, large blood clots; used over 120 pads since last Tuesday August 10, 2010...  13 days uuuggghhh...  I am fatigued... wake up in the middle of the night to the heaviest bleeding...

Now I have normally heavy periods, because of fibroids...60 pads in a seven-day period...My cycle went off on July 30, 2010...I thought I would be able to hang out before second round of chemo on the 23^rd... 

 Guess not...  When is the Zolodex shot going to shut down my ovaries?  They said it could take three months...I am tired of my body...

I was told to take iron...I am exhausted...I am dreading my second round of chemotherapy Monday...

I SPOKE WITH NURSE THIS IS NORMAL...I AM BLEEDING MORE THAN OTHERS ARE, BECAUSE FIBROIDS FEED OFF BLOOD...

BEFORE ALL THIS, I NEVER HAD CHICKEN POPS, MUMPS OR MEASLES...UUUGGGHHH...

                                                                                                                                                                

blossom

hiya everyone

ive always had a bad time with my periods, n hoped that no periods would be the silver lining of having chemo,oh how wrong could i be,going through a pk of towels a day at the moment and now have the joy of pmt whilst goin in for my secod lot of chemo,great....does anyone know if there is anything the docs can give u to stop your periods whilst ur having treatment? ive been beggig my doc for a hystorectomy for years with no joy,just feel like a total grot at the moment,no hair,mouth ulcers,bleeding everywhere,look like i have a serious drug problem due to the fact it took a nurse three attempts to get blood off me(ironic i know) just about had enough xx

Ondagrow

 Blossom,

Zoladex shots...Is suppose to stop your period...

I had a heavy period after first chemo... I use 150 pads...

I had my second Zoladex shot yesterday...Zoladex shuts down your ovaries...

blossom

thank u sohardbnme,i feel like im gettin fobbed off by my docs all the time,now i know what i need to go and ask for off them,thank u x

Kate0574

you ladies are so cute, brave and i love ya... just thought that i would shed my light on this topic... I went through 8 rounds of chemo in 2007.. chemo will stop your period most likely after about your third treatment (I have treatment every other monday).  Unless you are having other problems like Sohardbnme... you will all get through this.. I did not get a period back until about one months after my last treatment. Then I am on Tamox now and they are very light.... take care all.

 Married blis- I thought the same thing about your above post.. this is why we get to take that little billed named Tamoxifen for 5 years after.  I think that has something to do with it.  I am three years out from tamox and not too bad.... GL ladies!!!

CelineFlower

ugg... seriously? our ovaries last stand??

what NO TAMPONS???? omg...

sigh

AlishaVerma

My mom is going through chemo and 16 March she got her second infusion. Her periods got clear on 14th March and the flow began all over again from 17th Mar (second day after she got chemo). Today is 28th March, its been over 10days now that she still has flow. Is it something to worry about a lot? As we were under assumption that weird things happen during chemo. Kindly advise. 

Ailurophile

Hi everyone ,Please HELP

I, not only get my period,but every 3 -4 hours this HUGE cloth (size of a plum) comes out of me.I called Onco they were like emmm yes heavy period is normal but about the cloth we are not sure..is there any one here with the same problem?

FairyDogMother

I’m with you gals on this boat. I thought with chemo=no periods. Mine are hell literally I can’t take any pain meds with them or I get sick. The cramps make me want to bend over and cry. I just got mine after 10 days from the first treatment. Arghhhh.

pipers_dream

That does it. I think I'll have my ovaries yanked with my breast surgery. I already have fibroids, so if I'm going to get an extra heavy period I may as well stay home for a week. Ugh.

thisboobs4u

I just got the 3rd of 4 TC treatments and my cycle has been flowing since dec 24th. Nothing really heavy. Some days just a panty liner but the last 3 days a more normal flow. 12 days of this.....when will it end?