I’m still very confused about my reproductive status!
I am nearly 46 and in June this year it will be 2 years since i’ve had a period.
I have been on Tamoxifen since October 2007. I suffer from all the usual side-effects, most notably hot flushes although these are much better than they were. I was going to go on a trial for a different drug but couldn’t as I was told blood tests showed I was peri-menopausal which means on the cusp of the menopause. This blood test was before I started Tamoxifen.
At present I am using no contraception. I have been figuring that because I dont have periods, I dont ovulate, and therefore can’t get pregnant. However, I suspect that this is in fact not the case. Obviously I cant take the pill, I hate condoms, so am wondering what else I can do. I was thinking of trying the rhythm method i.e. taking temp etc. but not sure whether this would work whilst on Tamoxifen.
Any contraceptive experts out there??! Any advice gratefully received.
Hi - I was told by my consultant that I should still use contraception whilst on Tamoxifen even if I wasn’t having periods as I could still become pregnant. I’m 41 and so pre-menopausal.
On the contraception front, what about asking your partner to consider having the “snip” ?!!
Im on tamoxifen and Zolidax and my onc made me go for the non-hormonal coil. There is fat chance of me getting pregnant but she just wanted to be sure…there are loads of horror storys with the coil but I have been fine.
I too am 46 and have been on tamoxifen for just over a month, had chemo and rads and haven’t had a period for 4 months. My onc told me that tamoxifen is/was a fertility drug so although I may not have a period to be particularly careful with contraception and so a few weeks ago I had a standard coil fitted, not the most pleasent thing but over in a few minutes.
He also mentioned that after 2 doses of Zoladex there would be no need for contraception but I haven’t gone down that route…yet
Everyone is right that you should still be using contraception whilst on tamoxifen, even if you’re not getting your periods.
I have a Merina IUS that was inserted back in 2006. I was diagnosed with BC in April 08 and have been on tamoxifen since May 08. I’m 36 and pre-menopausal.
I asked about 5 different doctors (oncs and gyn), breast nurses and even here, about keeping it in and was told that the upsides and the birth control far outweighed the consequences from the low level progesterone that’s released from the IUS. I can have it in till 2011 and have been assured that I can get another one inserted straight away to cover me for another 5 years (basically you can keep getting new ones every five years till the onset of menopause).
The other advantages (as I’ve been told) are keeping the periods light (should they come back - mine were gone a month into Tamoxifen then decided to revisit me last month - ugh) and the low level hormone can help guard against endometrial cancer.
I loved my mirena coil! Had it for four years and no periods or period pain at all since got it fitted.However, my bc was 100% er and pr +ve and was told by by onc that best the coil come out,in fact if you look at mirenas own instruction leaflet they do not recommend it to people with breast cancer. Seems that like most things different oncs recommend different things as I’m pre menopausal but not on zoladex just tamoxifen. Is the “normal” coil just the same as mirena but without the hormones?