Tamoxifen & Periods

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Dennyj
Dennyj Member Posts: 106

Has anyone had any problems with Tamoxifen and their period?

I started tamoxifen, May 16, 2017 and have had a regular period since May until November. During November, I had 2 periods 2 weeks apart. I ended up having a transvaginal ultrasound and they found cysts on my ovaries. Then I had a uterine biopsy (which killed) and that was clear. Now, I have not had a period since November 21st....I was supposed to have an ultrasound tomorrow but that has been cancelled because of the impending snow storm. (I even did a pregnancy test just to make sure that was not the situation....)

So, I guess my question is, has anyone gone from regular periods to none on tamoxifen? Does anyone have cramping?

Comments

  • Reckless
    Reckless Member Posts: 112
    edited January 2018

    I had irregular periods on tamoxifen. Started on tamoxifen in June 2016, was regular through a January 2017, then nothing for 3 months. Periods resumed May through August and were regular, then stopped. Resumed again in November. However, in October they discovered cysts suspicious for ovarian malignancy, so the ovaries were removed. Fortunately, the cysts were benign, unfortunately the periods are now over for good. The cysts grew quickly, one reached 8 cm within 6 months.Yes , I did have cramping when I was supposed to have periods but did not.

  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited January 2018

    Reckless, were you peri menopausal when you received the bc dx ? Glad to hear the cysts were benign. Sorry you had to go through another surgery.

  • Reckless
    Reckless Member Posts: 112
    edited January 2018

    Falconer, no, I was regular like a clock at the time of the BC diagnosis, and my FSH levels were nowhere close to menopause

  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited January 2018

    Yes, Dennyj, I went from regular, to irregular and light, to none on Tamoxifen. But my hormone levels showed I was not postmenopausal. That is one of the many "normal" effects Tam can have.

  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited January 2018

    I went from regular periods to longer between them (it's more like a 6 to 7 week break in between). My oncologist and gynecologist both said they might completely go away and that's ok. She said if I start bleeding heavily they will take everything out, but otherwise, it is what it is. My GYN wants to do a yearly ultrasound to monitor the endometrial lining. It was normal at the first check.

  • Dennyj
    Dennyj Member Posts: 106
    edited January 2018

    Thank you for all of the feedback. I was supposed to have a sonohysterogram last Thursday but the snow has delayed everything. I am glad to hear from all of you that this could be normal. Maybe one of my new "nomals".....

  • runor
    runor Member Posts: 1,798
    edited January 2018

    I had no hot flashes and regular periods, no sign of them slowing down. Had a period mid July 2017 as normal. Started Tamox August 2017 and have not had a period since. No spotting. Nothing.

    I do get occasional cramps and have wondered if it was period related. But tamoxifen has also given me some constipation problems and with that comes cramps. So I am never sure of what the source of the cramps is.

    I have read a few places where transvaginal ultrasound for thickening of the uterus is not adequate to monitor tamoxifen induced changes. I was surprised to read this. Maybe over the belly ultrasound is better?

    I asked my onc if tamox would stop my period, he said no. He was wrong. And that happened at half a dose a day. I do not take the full 20mg, but cut the pill in half and take 10mg some days and 20mg other days. But periods stopped on half the prescribed dosage.

  • Mom2ps
    Mom2ps Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2018

    Hi all,

    I stopped getting periods when I received my first chemo treatment February 2017 at age 37. I started tamoxifen in July 2017 and still didn't have a period. I thought for sure that the chemo had put me into early menopause at age 38 because I'm right on the edge as far as age goes but I started cramping really bad one day last week. I also began to spot so my oncologist recommended an endometrial biopsy. Crap did that hurt! Now I'm waiting for the results and am having a full on period. Next I go for a pelvic ultrasound and am thinking of just greeting a hysterectomy so I don't have worry about it.


    Anyone else have a similar experience?

  • Dennyj
    Dennyj Member Posts: 106
    edited January 2018

    I started chemo in Sept. 2016 and had my last period in October 2016. Fast forward to May 16, 2017 and I had the worst period of my life. Then I was regular....like every 28-29 days...and now after having them 2 weeks apart...I now have no period. I agree with you, mom2ps, the biopsy absolutely kills! Good luck!

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