Did your period return after chemo?

faithfulc - I was 40 when I was diagnosed also.  Before the BC diagnosis I was premenapausal and got my periods regularly and they were normal.  When I started chemo I got my period twice in one month and it was out of control heavy with clots.  Then 1/2 way through Chemo treatments my period stopped.  I had my last Chemo treatment on June 9th, 2008 and I did not get my period again until October 26th, 2008 (so about 4 months of no periods).   I tried Lupron shots in February and March of 2009 (was considering having my ovaries removed).  I got my period in February 2009 and then nothing until June 2009 (the Lupron shots caused my periods to stop which is what it is supposed to do and it took a while to start back up).  I had a period in June 2009, July 2009 and September 2009 and then I did not have another period until April 2010.  I should mention I am also on tamoxifen so that could be stopping my periods too.  I have been on Tamoxifen for 2 years this month.  I have not had my period since April 2010.  All of the periods I have had since my chemo in 2008 have been heavier then they were before the BC dx and more clots.  Now I have some thickening of the lining of my uterus.  Could be due to the tamoxifen (one of the side effects) and could be due to the fact that I haven't had my period much in the last year.

I just had the FSH blood test done and as far as my blood is concerned, I am still premenapausal.  I assume it is because my menapause is chemically induced from the Tamoxifen.  I get the hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain - all the typical signs of menapause, but I guess I am not in menapause yet.  Its crazy!

Let me know if you have any other questions.  I don't mind sharing my experience at all.

Take care and good luck.  Wishing you continued good health.

Karen

I was 44 when diagnosed in Oct.09, started chemo, stopped having my period in Oct. Turned 45 in December 09. So far still no period. Hopefully it stayes that way. I would prefer it.

I was 42 when I was diagnosed, I had my last period the first A/C treatment. I did 4 rounds of that, 12 weeks of taxol and herceptin, which finished at the end of October 2008. I had no period until February of 2009. I was scheduled for an ooph. a month later so I didn't have a chance to see if it had returned to it's "normal" schedule -which was 28 days like clock work-but the one period I did get, was incredibly heavy and I had the worst cramps of my life. I thought they had been saving themselves up for the whole 10 months it had been gone!

If you're now doing rads, and you don't want it to return, you might discuss with your onc. using some sort of birth control shot or pill.

Good luck, I hope for your sake it doesn't come back -but be prepared just in case! 

I was 45 @ dx...still was getting regular periods - no signs of Menopause. Once chemo started I never got another period. It's now been 5 years...still nothing. And I don't miss it! lol

Hi...

Iwas 32 wehn diagnosed, my periods stopped all together right after I started chemo. They returned a month after chemo like normal... however, I have now been on Tamox for almost three years and my periods are next to nothing and the OB dr says this is normal..... hope this helps... HUGGS!!

My periods stopped after my first chemo treatment 2 1/2 years ago and have not returned. I'm 48 and recent blood tests indicate that I'm not in menopause yet and not even close. 

I was also 38 when diagnosed. Had lupron before and during chemo in the belief that that would prevent early menopause. It has been 6 months since last chemo. No sign of periods yet.

I was just past 50 at diagnosis and peri-menopausal.  I had my last "monster period" when I went in for lumpectomies (talk about fun - NOT!) and was just spotting when I went a month later for mastectomies.  That was the last period.  I never got it back and had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy in April after finishing chemo in December.  Still having the darned hot flashes!!  Not all that choked up about Aunt Flo being gone though.

Good or bad I don't know but I just did not want to be in menopause at 38.

I was pre-men and diagnosed at 44.  Halfway through chemo, my period stopped coming and almost 4 years later---lots of hot flashes!  I am hoping and praying that the hot flashes...stops soon?

Hello all, I was diagnosed in 1993 and went to received chemo and my period stopped into the treatment,and stayed off, thank God, it stayed off for years and years then it came on for a few days and then never again. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, now 16 yrs cancer free (Praise God). idc,0/3 nodes,stage 2, L mast with reconstruction that didn,t take, expander hardned and was taken out, use a prothesis.God Bless.  I was 42 and still having a regular period.  God Bless.  msphil

Wow, how funny that I found this thread!  I was dx'd in May 2006 and had 4 AC and 4 Taxol, then 37 rads, then monthly Lupron shots for about 2 years along with Tamoxifen.  Periods stopped as soon as first chemo started.  Three and a half years after dx (and last period), oncologist checked my blood work and it showed I was menopausal so she switched me to Femara. This was in the summer of 2009.  Still no periods.  Serious hot flashes for years and every symptom of menopause...Fast forward to July 2010 - BAMM!!  Periods are back!!  Can you believe it?  More than four years later!!!!  I should add, I was 35 at time of dx, just now turned 40.  What a birthday present!