Tamoxifen and heavy periods

I started taking Tamoxifen in June after I finished rads (no chemo). For the last 3 months, my periods have been horrible. Only last about 5 days but one of those days I can't leave the house because of heavy bleeding. Couldn't find any info for this happening to women who had no chemo. Finally called onc & he wants me to get checked by my gyn & FAX results. Going Monday. No idea what to expect but wanted you to know you're not alone. Hope all is well with you.

My gyn did the uterine biopsy because of the heavy (and long) periods. All normal. He did suggest taking Aleve to tone down the bleeding. I don't know how it works, but it does. My periods are still heavy, but not a tsunami and much shorter.

Not only are my periods heavy but my cycle is so short - I only have like 10-12 days in between.  My gyn seems hesitant to do a hyterectomy - I need to go back and insist I think. I am tired of this. 

It sounds as if all you ladies need to visit your Gyno/Onc's asap! If you read the contra's on the Tamo insert, it say's that periods stop, not increase, in fact, increased bleeding is a sign of CYP2D6 polymorphism and although they (big pharma) say's this test not conclusive, it is ebough proof that the actual test exists that they had it for a reason in the first place-Tamoxifen is the only drug out there for pre-menopausal women other than suppressing ovaries and using an AI (which did not work for me either) the Tamo made me bleed for 4 straight months (everyday) while heavy spotting occurred and pre-empted periods gave way for the first 2 months so immediately from the onset I had bleeding issues with Tamo-the end result was a hysterectomy with both ovaries removed as there was no other choice-I am 47 and no longer need them so I was ok with it-Uterine thickness over 5mm is not normal, mine was 10mm with a cyst and a polyp that had developed, I had a normal pap smear and cervical exam before starting Tamo (at my request) so I know these changes occurred while on Tamo-some women might say to do a D&C to shed the lining every so often but do you really want to take a drug that is going to play devils advocate in your uterine? So you decrease chances of BC but you develop Uterine cancer???? Not for me! That's why it was a no brainer to do the Oopherectomy! I am fine, only hot flashes at night while I sleep so I sleep with a fan-no biggie!

Surgery date: Jan 23. DaVinci method (hopefully, if all goes well) Total hysterectomy. :-(

Not sure how I feel about this, but, they're all insistent that it be done.

Bar65, I can relate.  My periods have always been heavy and long.  While starting Tamoxifen scared the heck out of me, I was at least looking forward to lighter periods... NOPE!  I still bled just as heavily, maybe more.  Before Tamoxifen, my period would last about 7 to 9 days, and follow a pattern of: day 1- light, days 2-4 - very heavy, days 5-9 - tapering off/light.  Tamoxifen shortened my periods to 5 or 6 days, but the first 2 or 3 days were HORRENDOUS - very heavy bleeding, had to leave yoga class after 30 minutes because I'd bled through my clothes, ETC.  And one period lasted three straight weeks.

So I went for an endometrial biopsy and D&C.  Turns out my uterus was full of big polyps, but everything was benign.  Four days after the D&C, I got my period again.  ARGH!!!  I stopped Tamoxifen for four months.  I explained what happened to my oncologist, and she said that what I describe, re: Tamoxifen "condensing" my periods "makes sense" - because that's what perimenopause is like. 

I don't know what to do.  I've been back on Tamoxifen for a couple months now, giving it another try... but if things get out of control again, I might just stop.  My gynecologist suggested endometrial ablation or the Mirena IUD, and my oncologist told me I could consider ovary removal.  None of those options appeal to me.  The ablation or ovary removal would be too invasive, IMO.  And no way am I going to get a plastic, progesterone-emitting device inserted in me when my BC was PR+...

This is my first cycle since 10/2013, when I started chemo. I started Tamoxifen 5/2014 and have been on it for a year. My cycle started last Wednesday 5/27. It was extremely light but since 5/29 it had been very heavy!!!! I am passing clots and the bleeding is much worse than it ever was before. I see my oncologist in two weeks but I think I need to make an ob-gyn appt. I have never had a cycle over 5 days!!!

Welcome katharu, and glad you found us, and hope that you get some resolve at the GYN next week. Please, keep us posted!

I am glad to be reading about all of these issues with Tamoxifen and heavy or just plain weird menstrual cycles. I had already had an endometrial ablation due to extremely heavy bleeding and while I was still having periods they were not that heavy and only lasted 2 days. I started taking Tamoxifen in January of 2015 and for the first 5-6 months my periods were practically non-existent - I was thrilled. Then all of a sudden two months ago, my periods are back, I'm experiencing heavy clotting (not big clots but just massive amounts of small ones), and along with the clotting the heavy cramps of my periods of old, and lasting 5 days. It is frustrating as my oncologist says I should not be having my periods at all. I am 52 and prior to being diagnosed with bc my periods were as regular as clockwork with no signs of menopause. When I started taking Tamox I had asked my gyno about having a hysterectomy as I don't want uterine cancer to be something I have to worry about. She said it was not necessary - but seriously at my age do I even need that thing. Has anyone talked to their gyno and onc about these issues - have you been given any advice other than just deal with it?