Tamoxifen + Menstrual Cycle

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hobbesla4
hobbesla4 Member Posts: 72
edited October 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi,

I have been on Tamoxifen therapy since January 2014.  Since that time, my cycle (bleeding) has gone away, but have had PMS like symptoms otherwise every month like a regular cycle.  All of a sudden, today I am experiencing spotting like a period, but not much cramping.

Should I be concerned about this?  What would you do, if you were me (Should I call the oncologist to discuss this or take more of a wait and see type approach? )  When I was having a period in December 2013 and before, I was perimenopausal and my cycle would skip from one week of the month to another, but was always about the same number of days.

Thank you.

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  • KarenZ0305
    KarenZ0305 Member Posts: 487
    edited September 2014

    I would ask your gyno. I've always been told bleeding while on tamoxifen isn't good. 

    Good luck. 

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited September 2014

    Wouldn't hurt to check in with your gyno, but many people (myself included) continue to have regular periods on Tamoxifen.  I too was perimenopausal (45 at diagnosis) but was in the early stages where my periods were getting closer and closer together prior to starting on it.  Since being on it, my periods first returned to "normal" distances apart (went from the 24 days I had been to the 31 that was typical most of my life), but recently have begun to space out further and further apart - most recently I went 40 days, which kind of freaked me out a bit.

    I read somewhere here, but don't know if it's true, that about 25% of people will stop their periods on Tamoxifen, 25% will continue as before and 50% will continue to have periods but will be irregular.    Since it's been so long since you've had one, it might be a good idea to check in with your gyno, but I suspect that it's nothing serious.

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  • miss-marsha
    miss-marsha Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2014

    Hi ladies!

    I've been on tamoxifen for 2 years now. I'm 43 and still having periods they have gotten further apart about 1 every 50 days. My Oncologist say's this is normal for my age. 

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  • JWoo
    JWoo Member Posts: 1,171
    edited October 2014

    Hey there!

    I had been in chemo/tami-pause for 17 months, then whamo! without warning i go a serious period. So much so i went to the dr. My GYN did an endometrial biopsy and i have a trans-vag ultrasound to check for polyps on monday just as a precaution. Some women have periods the whole time, some get occasional ones, some never get them, it is all so different for everyone. I would absolutely call your GYN and go in for bloodwork and an exam at the very least. Better to be thorough, even though the chances are it is just normal spotting. 

    Hope you can get in soon!

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