Tamoxifen/BC Question

MellieTX · March 2018

**edit: sorry, I meant BC as in “Birth Control” not Breast Cancer.

My genetic testing came back negative on the BRCA mutations, so that is good news, but is leaving me with questions about pregnancy prevention moving forward (hoping to schedule surgery next week. I'll likely be proscribed Tamoxifen and am getting conflicting information (BS says Tamoxifen will put me in menopause??)- my understanding is that it is possible to get pregnant while taking tamoxifen, but that hormonal BC is obviously out of consideration. Frankly, my preference would be to have a partial hysterectomy (leaving the ovaries and hoping for the best with tamoxifen). I really have enough on my plate without having to worry about periods (I was using Mirena for the past 12 years because it made me not have them), possible pregnancy, or birth control that will add even 1% more complexity to what will likely be a complicated sex life. In addition to my cancer, I have MS, and feel like way too much of my energy is involved in healthcare.Does anyone have any advice? Is there some function of the uterus that I'm not aware of that makes it something other than a nuisance?

gb2115 · March 2018

You can definitely still get pregnant on tamoxifen. When I went on it all of the doctors on the team repeatedly reminded me of the horror show getting pregnant on this drug could become. A lot of women use iuds, my doctor mentioned an iud plus condoms (since no method is 100%). I find abstinence to work the best for me because I would obsess over the 1% chance of failure to the point where it's not worth it. We may pursue vasectomy some day, but we're not there yet.

MellieTX · March 2018

the thing is, I HATE having periods, and I know the non- hormonal IUDs make them worse. My husband would be fine with a vasectomy, but I just would like to be done with them. One time on vacation, I remember feeling like I was having an hours- long contraction in the National History Museum. A couple of times ive gone to the doctor thinking I must have a serious issue with my back, but surprise!! when I had to give a urine sample. They’ve been so irregular that I’ve always been caught off guard. I’ve got enough to worry about.

Not to mention, I knew I wanted a partial hysterectomy when I was 29 and was diagnosed with MS, and of course no one will do something so permanent and drastic. But I wonder about all that extra estrogen in my body, feeding a cancer that could still be microscopic without it. It makes me mad that I wasn’t taken seriously about a choice I tried to make for myself

gb2115 · March 2018

I hate periods too. Tamoxifen has made mine heavier, like I feel like I'm going to bleed out or something, but it only lasts for a day and then pretty much dries up. It takes so much energy being a girl, don't you think?!?!

I thought about a non-hormonal IUD briefly, but I'm not a big fan of having things "done" to me unless it's life or death, lol.

Michelle_in_cornland · March 2018

I had my ovaries and uterus taken out last year. I feel so much better. My iron levels are finally normal after 30 plus years of cycles. My cycles were every 24 to 28 days, and I was run down all of the time.

MellieTX · March 2018

I just left my GYN a message, so we’ll see what she says

NotVeryBrave · March 2018

Generally - the concern with estrogen in your body is related to the ovaries and not the uterus. And if they take your ovaries out then you will be in menopause but will still most likely be recommended to be on Tamoxifen or an AI. Without ovaries, you won't be having periods any longer.

Tamoxifen/BC Question

Comments

Categories