Hi,
Have just had my path results today and told I will more than likely need chemo. Reading the info after the appt (and realising I forgot to ask the BCN) I am confused as to whether chemo may bring my due to occur naturally menopause on (I am 39) and that will be it for good or whether it may bring on menopausal symptoms which will go and then I will have to go through it all again when I have the menopause for real (which would be really c**p to have to go through it twice)!!
Hi
Chemo can bring on an early menopause but I’d say it would be unlikely at your age. From my perspective I had a primary dx in 2003 and had no chemo but Zoladex, which definitely gives you a menopause! I was told, at 41, that this would bring on my natural menopause but after finishing 2 years of Zoladex I got my periods back. Earlier this year I had a secondary dx and have just finished chemo. I didn’t have any menopausal symptoms during chemo and my blood test to check has come back peri-menopausal/menopausal but not conclusive. I think chemo can gradually affect your ovaries but by the time you’ve finished the course you may not have many or any of the symptoms of the menopause. Having had one menopause I knew what to expect and can say there was nothing to indicate I was menopausal, hence the blood test as I need to be post menopausal for my continuation hormone therapy. So, guess what, I’m just about to have my 2nd chemically induced menopause! As you say it really is cr@p having to go through it twice! Good luck with all your treatments and hope all goes well.
Nicky
Hi,
I was 44 when dx and had one period after my first dose of FEC and that was it. I was put on Tamoxifen initially but after a year without periods, I was given an FSH blood test to see if I was post menopausal. This checks the Follicle Stimulating Hormone which is the indicator of being manopausal or not…mine showed I was so put on Arimidex.
There are no real guides to this question really because every woman is different so there is no definite age you can say that periods will or won’t come back. My mum had her menopause at the same age as I did so I may have gone through it regardless of chemo anyway, at the same age.
Sheana x
Thanks, I guess its another of those waiting and seeing things that goes with BC *sigh* 
Hi I was dx last Oct,started chemo straight away,so not had a period since,on Herceptin now and nothing else,but told as of my age ,47, they prob won’t come back,had some mood changes and tears,not excessive,along with prickly heat feelings but given a mild anti- depressant over last 4 weeks to see how it goes