Menstrual Cycle After Tamoxifen 50+

MicheleW · January 2012

MicheleW · January 2012

I'm 51 years old, five years cancer free and recently discontinued Tamoxifen 3 months ago. I did not have a period for 3 years while on the Tamoxifen, but had a very heavy cycle 2 months ago and another lighter cycle a month ago (35 days apart). My additional treatment options were chemotherapy and Herceptin, right after my initial diagnosis. Has anyone experienced the return of regular periods after the use of Tamoxifen at my age?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

Racy · January 2012

I think it is worthwhile to report this to your doctor. I don't have experience with the issue.

wallycat · January 2012

Tamoxifen builds up the uterine lining so to have it slough off when you have stopped taking it is not unexpected. At 51, you are also possibly not in menopause yet. My one friend was 58 when she finally went 1 year without a period (naturally). Since we are drug induced into some of our symptoms, there is no way to know why this happened except that tamoxifen amplified it.

I had spotting when I switched from tamoxifen to armidex (I was 52 or almost 53) and they did an endomet. biopsy to be sure all was fine (it was).

I will be 55 this May and I swear I sometimes feel a twinge in my ovaries and I am on arimidex...sigh.

peggy_j · January 2012

Both my MO and GYN said to let them know if I had any unusual bleeding. It may be nothing to worry about, but still worth a call. i.e. better safe than sorry.

surfette · January 2012

I have a similar situation to you except I am still on tamoxifen. I started tamoxifen at age 47 in January 2010. I had my last period July 2011 at age 48. Now low and behold yesterday I started my period, 6 months after my last one. And I haven't taken a break from the tamoxifen so I don't know what's up. The only other thing is I got braces on my teeth three days ago so maybe my body thinks I'm a teenager again. Smile

rgiuff · January 2012

Surfette, you're not considered postmenopausal until you've gone a full year without a period. I've been on tamoxifen just over 3 years since just turning 48. I had already started skipping periods for several months at a time when I first started taking it. I went 3 months without a period, then got it back for several months, then 6 months without a period, then got it back for 2 months, then went 10 months without a period and got it back for 2 months. That last one was in Feb 2009, so I've now gone 2 years without a period. My oncologist says he now considers me postmenopausal because it's been 2 years and because I'm now 51, which is the average age.

Apparently, tamoxifen can cause you to lose your period for quite a while even if you're not postmenopausal, so my Oncologist said the 1 year rule only applies to women who are not on tamoxifen.

ICanDoThis · January 2012

I finally completed natural menopause at 58. So 51 sounds like a kid to me.

I would check with gynecologist, but I wouldn't worry about it.

Gillkath · February 2012

I was diagnosed in 2007 and had my last period during chemo. I have been on tamoxifen for the last 3 1/2 years. I stopped tamoxifen a few months after starting an anti-anxiety medication. I plan on resuming the tamoxifen. I was premenopausal at the time of my cancer. I am 51. I woke up this morning with my period. What a surprise ... I contacted my oncologist who wasn't very concerned. At my last oncology appointment a month she thought I was more than likely in menopause and recommended when I go back next year that they do a blood test to see if I am in menopause. Maybe I'll be next year. I can honestly say that I haven't missed my period over these last years!

Blinx · February 2012

Yes, this has happened to me. Frown Last August, I stopped Tamoxifen, after 3.5 years (couldn't take it any more). I'm 50. I didn't have any periods at all while on Tamox, but technically I was pre-menopausal -- my onc had my hormomone levels tested. After I stopped Tamox, I got a series of 4 horrendous periods, not always 28 days apart. Just awful. FInally went to my gyn, who found and removed a large polyp. Still, I had non-stop bleeding, where I couldnt' really leave the house. Had a D&C. No improvement. Just had a thermal balloon ablation, but technically that failed in the OR. So, basically I've been bleeding for the past 7 or 8 weeks (though it lessens sometimes).

I'm at the point where I'd almost (but I won't) consider going back on Tamoxifen to get some relief. And it really looks like I'm heading toward a hysterectomy.

So, Michele, getting back to you -- please get yourself checked out by your gyn, if you haven't already done so. You might be fine. It just stinks that after the joy of no periods, you may have to wait years until actual menopause kicks in. Hope not.

beyonce123 · January 2016

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Menstrual Cycle After Tamoxifen 50+

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