Can tamoxifen stop your period if you're 41?

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oceangirl654
oceangirl654 Member Posts: 217
edited May 2016 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I was wondering if tamoxifen can stop your period if you're as young as 41? I told my oncologist this morning that I haven't had my period for two months (I have done many pregnancy tests so it's not that) and she seemed very alarmed and said it's not normal at my age. But I thought that tamoxifen can stop your period- in fact, before I went to see her I was very happy thinking it was a sign that the tamoxifen is working. So now she has me very worried. I have an appointment with the gynecologist on her urging (though I'd rather not go get examined again if it's unnecessary). I was just wondering if this has happened to anyone else and if you had the same reaction from your oncologist, and what ended up being the cause. Thank you for your answer!

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited April 2016

    How much experience does your oncologist have with premenopausal patients taking tamoxifen? Tamoxifen is known to cause menstrual irregularities (including amenorrhea in some cases), so just based on what you have reported, I do not understand why your oncologist would be alarmed. Not having your period on tamoxifen does not mean you are now in menopause. Your gynecologist can order blood tests of your hormone levels (such as E2 and FSH) to help understand what is going on in your particular case. Here is a link to an article that discusses various ways women's bodies can react to tamoxifen.

    Tamoxifen and Ovarian Function

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC369599...


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  • oceangirl654
    oceangirl654 Member Posts: 217
    edited April 2016

    Thanks for your reply! I am beginning to think that my oncologist might be a bit hopeless. I don't want to go have another gyn exam- I just had one in December. Do you think I should cancel the appointment?

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited April 2016

    oceangirl....the problem is that most oncologists are not experts in female hormones. Another example of why I feel endocrinologists and/ or gynecologists should be part of the team. Oncologists are the ones that prescribe the anti hormones but that is where it seems to end. Not good enough! Good luck and keep us posted...

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited April 2016

    oceangirl....the problem is that most oncologists are not experts in female hormones. Another example of why I feel endocrinologists and/ or gynecologists should be part of the team. Oncologists are the ones that prescribe the anti hormones but that is where it seems to end. Not good enough! Good luck and keep us posted...

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  • aj103014
    aj103014 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2016

    I'm just 43 and my period stopped for a couple months then came back. My oncologist said that this was normal on Tamoxifen.


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  • oceangirl654
    oceangirl654 Member Posts: 217
    edited April 2016

    Thanks so much for your answers. They really helped me!

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  • oceangirl654
    oceangirl654 Member Posts: 217
    edited April 2016

    Dear aj103014, Did your oncologist make you go to the gynecologist to get examined, or did they just say to wait and not worry about it. Thanks!

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  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 340
    edited April 2016

    My period hasn't come back since after first Chemo last Aug (I turned 43 a month ago). Initially my MO thinks it might come back -- hasn't happen. But at Check-Up last month, she mentioned no period doesn't mean eggs not viable.

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  • Tessio
    Tessio Member Posts: 46
    edited May 2016

    dtad, excellent point about involving gynecologist! I'm 43 on Tamoxifen and period is back with vengeance. I had lupron shot last Friday but that may not stop flow for months. I have a consult with gyno in June. I feel so much better getting her involved. Best wishes to all as we navigate hormone

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  • Tapanga
    Tapanga Member Posts: 39
    edited May 2016

    When I first started Tamoxifen last year (at 42) my body didn't know what to do with itself. My periods became lighter and weren't regular at all amongst other side effects. I managed to completely undo all of that by getting an IUD placed a couple months ago and the severe cramps and heavy flow making me flashback to my teens and early 20s. That was one thing about "growing up" I appreciated - my periods became much more managable!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2016

    my oncologist explained that while on tamox 25% will continue with normal periods. 50% will have irregular periods, and 25% will stop altogether. It is still working, regardless of whether or not you have your periods.

    Anne


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  • Englishmummy
    Englishmummy Member Posts: 337
    edited May 2016

    I am 41 and have taken Tamoxifen for almost a year....my periods stopped for 2 months but returned to every 28 days on the dot. My oncologist told me that you normally see a few 'skips' at our age: My OB concurred and told me most (but not all) regulate to a normal cycle for at least a couple of years....lots of women are apparently perimenopausal at around 45 so then it changes a little.....or not. I think it is a shock to the system when you first take it and that is what changes your cycle.

    Tamoxifen is a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) and can hyperstimulate the ovaries, it only 'blocks' breast cells....in other parts of the body (ovaries, bones etc) it increases production which is why it can *help* postmenopausal women in heart disease prevention. You can read about how it works here:

    http://www.imaginis.com/breast-cancer-treatment/ba...

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/ser...


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  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited May 2016

    I don't have my period but I'm on lupron...ts the only thing cancer gave me. I love not having a period.

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  • oceangirl654
    oceangirl654 Member Posts: 217
    edited May 2016

    I am loving not having a period! It was freaking me out how heavy it was. And even more than that, I am LOVING not having PMS. Wow I feel like a different person! Every day I feel the same- not horrible one week and then ok the next. I want it to stay this way, but maybe that's not healthy? Men are so lucky to always feel normal like this!

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