Period Issues on Tamoxifen

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Pooki
Pooki Member Posts: 27
edited September 2019 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi Everyone,

I am 41 and started on Tamoxifen in early January of this year. Every month, I have continued to get my period, which had been on a pretty consistent 28-30 day cycle from the start of the first day of my period. Period typically lasted for 4-5 days and was light.

My last period started about 40 days ago (8/2 - 8/5....yes, I have actually been tracking it). I had severe cramping, and a super heavy flow that lasted about a day, then when back to my typical lighter flow.

Fast forward to about 10 days ago when I started getting the worst cramps I've ever had in my life. I've always had cramps right before my period, but not this bad. I just assumed my period was about to start, but 10 days later I still haven't gotten it yet. There is also no chance that I am pregnant.

I know that Tamoxifen can cause periods to stop, but I am wondering if they can stop and you can still have cramping like this?

Also, have y'all experienced your cycle getting longer on Tamoxifen, then your period stopping all together? Not sure how common this is.....Thank you for any input y'all have! I'm beginning to feel crazy wondering when I am going to get my period.


Pooki

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  • sm627
    sm627 Member Posts: 298
    edited September 2019

    Hi pookie,

    I have had very similar period Issues like yours. I've been on tamoxifen for almost 2 years now. Last year My Cycles got very heavy for the first two days then the the bleeding got super light and stopped all together at day 4. Over the past few months I have experienced the same type of severe cramping several days after I stop bleeding. Sometimes I feel like I can't move and must get a heating pad for relief.

    I talked to my oncologist about the heavy bleeding and she said that it was not related to tamoxifen and that I was just getting older. I'm only 35, so I went to see my gynecologist and she said that tamoxifen might be the reason for my heavy bleeding because of all the extra estrogen it causes in the uterus and ovaries. If you have a chance get your blood work done to check your iron levels. My heavy Cycles caused me to become borderline anemic. Earlier this year I was feeling very light-headed and dizzy and it was affecting my work I teach preschool. My blood work came back with an iron level of 6 where the normal level is supposed to be around 30. I got put on iron supplements for several months and that seemed to do the trick so everything's better now in the iron Department.

    Tamoxifen sure does take you on one crazy ride. Have you talked to your gynecologist about the changes in your cycle? When's your next appointment with your oncologist?

    One thing that is help me reduce my heavy bleeding husband to take 600mg of ibuprofen on the first day of my cycle. This was a recommendation from a gynecologist and it has helped so much.

    Wishing you all the best of luck on this uncertain tamoxifen Journey.

    Hugs,

    Sara

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  • Pooki
    Pooki Member Posts: 27
    edited September 2019

    Hi Sara,

    Thank you so much for your response. It sounds like you have had quite an adjustment to tamoxifen, too.

    I didn't even think about the extra estrogen in the uterus or ovaries...It makes sense that that could be causing some of the changes I have noticed.

    I haven't talked to my gyn yet or my oncologist. I actually saw both last month, but at the time everything was normal. I will definitely check in with them just to make sure that the pause in my period is just the tamoxifen and not anything else. I will also ask about bloodwork for my iron levels, too, because I have had instances of feeling dizzy and light-headed, too.

    Yes, this tamoxifen journey is without a doubt uncertain! Best of luck to you!


    Pooki

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  • Mymomsgirl
    Mymomsgirl Member Posts: 174
    edited September 2019

    Pookie I actually had odd cramping, in fact at one point I thought maybe it was a gallbladder attack, but I didn't eat anything that could of caused it. I just my gynecologist the other day and asked her about it and she said the estrogen levels can mess with your GI track and she thought that is probably what was happening. She did tell me if I had any bleeding mid cycle all to call and she would get me in for an ultrasound.

    One other thing that could cause cramping is Ovarian Cysts, especially if they burst. I would think we are more susceptible to that happening too.

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  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited September 2019

    so didn't get a period for 4 years on tamoxifen...then bam - I thought I would die. Then they stopped again, then I had cramping and spotting but no period. Tamox just sucks

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  • sm627
    sm627 Member Posts: 298
    edited September 2019

    Hi pookie,

    Hope things get better for you, and that your doctors help you manage things better. Quality of life is so important.

    Keep us posted on how you're doing.

    All of us tamoxifen sister's got to stick together.

    Take Care

    Hugs,

    Sara

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  • Pooki
    Pooki Member Posts: 27
    edited September 2019

    Thank you all for sharing your experiences!

    Mymomsgirl - Glad to know I am not alone with the cramping! But yes, I even began to wonder if I was actually having cramps or an upset stomach, so this makes a lot of sense!

    Tresjoli2 - That sounds like it was awful! Ugh, I wish tamoxifen wasn't so hard on our bodies!

    Sara - Thank you! Yes, when I started tamoxifen I didn't think that my quality of life would be impacted so much, but over the last few months I've really begun to feel the effects!


    Pooki

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