Periods after chemo? Did they return and when?

[lucyloux]

Bless you hun your post brought tears to my eyes but also your fabulous humour made me giggle. I hope your recovery is going well. 💕

I recently had throat cancer stage 4 went through the chemo & radiotherapy still awaiting the all clear. I finished the radiation torture end of September & have just had my first period after treatment. Thought I was in perimenopause. Lol. I thought more the radiotherapy weight loss I suffered was maybe the culprit but this forum made me think about the chemo. 
you sound like an amazing woman! far to young to have to have endured this especially with beautiful children so young 2.

my daughter is 15 now & that was hard enough . Thankyou so much your message really truly enlightened me & lifted me.

good luck with every thing & love to you & your family. X

[REBECCApriya]

hi

Iam from India too

iam ER PR positive and HER2 nu negative.

its good to chat with someone like us in these forums.

hope everyone is feeling better

Also after Covid ,everyone forget about this "C"

[Madonna fan]

Hi hi I'm 47 years old this August I was diagnosed last February 2019 with breast cancer her2 positive protein related I went through my six sessions of chemotherapy along with herceptin I lost my hair on the second session of chemo also my periods stopped on the 3rd session went through lumpectomy and when the results came back two weeks later after the operation they had to operate again were they wasn't happy enough of what they had taken 33 sessions of radiotherapy my last chemo was last July it's now the 2 of May 2020 and I have my periods got back and my hair is back and so far I feel absolutely great so spirits high girls and keep your mind healthy. I just wanted to thank Galway university hospital and all their staff on the radiotherapy section and the breast unit in Galway there were such great people they are great people they looked after me so good and I want to thank oncology in Castlebar hospital county Mayo for their fantastic work and their dedication much appreciated to all love to you all

[Holidayheart]

Hi. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in Jan. 2019. I have gotten my lumpectomy, 5 rounds of chemo and 19 rounds of radiation. I went to ctca and they were great. I wanted to encourage you to do the same because I've met a lot of people along the way whom said their doctors said they have to get their house in order and they called ctca and they said come to us, we'll take care of you & with great success. Please do so.

[genez]

It isn't, I think. If it is happening after the period, here is the suitable guide: https://medicalhealthcareinfo.com/cramps-after-period-causes-treatment/

[Pam Sullivan]

My sister had breast cancer and under went chemo and radiation, she has been in remission for 4 years now and has started bleeding extremely heavily and she has extreme pain.  Is this normal?

[Sam1075]

Hi all,
Just came across this forum and got myself in.I was diagnosed with stage 4 BC on March 2017..my BRCA1 test also came positive...underwent chemo, bilateral mastectomy followed by radiation..was on herceptine therapy after that, knowing i had a HER2 positive type of cancer...but recently moved to PA (USA) and went to see an oncologist with a view to resume my herceptine therapy.He adviced some PET and CT scans and now he says i have, had a triple negative cancer and would want me to be on certain chemo pills and stop herceptine from now on.I feel so confused and disappointed at this point! As if more than a year long confusion and mental devastation wasn't enough!..i had my last chemo on 29th june 2017 and started having periods again on and from feb 2018....Im so glad i found out this forum.Atleast i can talk my heart out now to people who would really understand what it all means.Also i have started having a blend of carrot, turmeric, Ginger smoothie...cut out sugar completely from my daily consumption....don't know if they are going to help but being from India i have had always relied on herbal remedies and a sound diet rather than harsh chemicals getting the best of me..Thank you all...have a great remission!

[Teal433]

I'm really shocked you went through all that before a biopsi....unbelieavable and so sorry for you. I was fortunate, i founf my lump, went to the GP and he said straight away it's a lump and I had official diagnosis in the same week. 

About treatment, my first oncologist was a woman that told me I had to have a mastectomy and the Chemo drug they had prescribed was not the best recommended for tripple negative when from the reserach i did. I went back and requested the recommended drug, she said yes, but on the next appointment I was told the hopital body said no. Anyway I went for a second opinion to another oncologist, who I found on google (UK breast oncologists) . He recommended different chemo drugs and he mastectomy may not be neccessary if my cancer was not caused by a faulty gene. My gene tests came back negative. I wrote to an oncologist at a different hospital and asked if he would accept me as a new patient. He did and I have to say I had the best care, had many chemo sessions, decided to continue working because they managed my side effects really well. Also had radiotherapy and a lumpectomy after treatement. 2 years clear and still going. 

Ladies get 2nd opinions....it helps ... I do wish you all the best.xxxx

[Lovelymomma]

Hi, I'm a 32 yo single mom of two girls and came across this thread in my curiosity about my missing mensi. I had my youngest in 2016 and had been pumping breast milk so lumps weren't a concern, nor was pain. But a sharp pain had me going straight to the doctor who attempted to dismiss it as a blocked milk duct but I  refused  to leave his office until he agreed to at least an ultra sound of my breast. A week later the day after my ultra sound the doctor called me and had me go in for mammogram, and then a biopsy immediately after. Two days later the doctor called and told me it was breast cancer. Triple negative, stage 2 so it must have developed sometime after my daughter was born. Never in my life have I ever wanted to wrong  about something but I cried for about an hour. That was in March 2017. One pinched nerve, 3 surgeries 8 chemo sessions, several  trips to the emergency, one burnt down house, two lost cats, several hotels, several infections and wigs later, my hair and nails are growing back and the only thing I was curious about was when I should expect my menstrual cycle. From what I've read so far it might be a couple years. I don't mind it's  absence though I'm glad I had my girls when I did. Despite the difficulties they made this battle worth it. So don't let the doctor's off the hook. No one knows your body better than you do. If you feel something is off, push for results. And no matter how grim the battle field, no obstacle is impassable. Xoxoxo to those still fighting.

[Naturally]

I have the same suspicion because I had my first child and I have no any genetic linked case of my triple negative cancer I was very healthy, I was eating good I had good pregnancy season any how after 2 month or so I noticed a lump and went to my family doctor and showed him .......and he sent me to have ultrasound the result was glatocele accumulated milk in the duct..... and i get home and start pumping ......no change ..... went back to himvand asked him by the time my lump was 10 cm. He got shocked and send me to emergency.....I went to hospital in emergency  and one dotor came and checkd me, my  family history and so on and he said 95% is not  cancer and suggested me to have a hot pad on it and to pump as much as I could...OK....I was like....going home did what they told me. After a month or so the lump got so big..... and said  I got to see specialist. I just found one doctor and he took 2 biopsies  and he concluded triple negative cancer the stage at that time might 3 or not...... i did all the conventional treatment except the radiation i scared the radiation for my heart and lung.......well no occurance on the site of the mastoctomy which i will not regreat for not taking radiation .....currently my  breast cancer metastesized to the liver and lung...long story short. Guys listen to your guts. No jock.  Cancer is time sensitive the longer we wait to findout what is wrong to the breast pushing hard and ask as lot of specialist to see is important. 

[Angel2016]

I was treated with tac for triple negative breast cancer in 2015 had my last period June 2015 and none after bloods in Jan 2017 confirmed that I was post menopausal. Last weekend July 2017 sore breasts, head ache and ratty, Sunday morning went to loo and hey presto blood been bleeding now for 6 days. Just had bloods done today but pretty confident that just short of 2 years that they will come back as peri menopause which I was before chemo

[Debbie1986]

Hi could you please email me about how to cleanse after chemo please Iv just had my last round and gained 40lb 😫😫😫 debbierobertson67@gmail.com

[vear4481]

Hi I just found your guys page. I just finish chemo and going through radiation. I had a question for Phoenix71. I also had triple Negative stage 3 breast cancer. I only had 8 chemo sessions. 4 of taxcol and 4 of taxcol and carbo. Know I'm doing 25 rounds of radiation plus I remove both of my breast. The reason why I ask if you had the same as me it cuz I want to make sure they are giving the best treatment. My process with my doctor has been horrible. I had been going to visit my OB doctor early Feb 2016 about a lump on my left breast and at the time I was 35. He told me there was no way I had cancer and in fact that I had lumpy breast. Anyhow time went on and I felt the lump so I keep emailing my doctor and his answer was, " women get lumps on their breast when the going to get their period." Well period never came and my lump got bigger. Finally I went to another OB and she referred me to ultra sounds and the ultra sound tech told me I had fatty tissue and to go home and put hot pad on my breast. Anyhow I didn't listen and ask to see a breast specialist. Three weeks later (june/july) I the breast specialist did a biopsy and in matter on threes day my result were in and I had breast cancer stage 3 in my lymph nobe too. So of course I don't trust them...

[Kala]

Hi I just wanted to send you a massive hug because after reading your bit about periods etc I feel you are an absolute inspiration. You did so many rounds of chemo and radiation and now everything is fine and you have inspired me so much with your positive attitude etc . What I would inspire to be . I wish you so much happiness for your future 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[Phoenix71]

What year did you stop chemo...it takes the body sometime to kick out all the crap it went through...
Do you do a cleasing treatment for your liver. It took a beating during chemo!?!
If you wish to know how send me a messge.

[Phoenix71]

I had breast cancer (Stage 3+) in April of 2014...I started chemo treatments as our first course of action against my breast cancer. In end of May, I had cut my hair pixie style so that it wouldn't show as much when I started to loose my hair, for they told me it won't take long...After first chemo treatment hair loss was imminent! My period too was the next thing to go. So 30 rounds of chemo, then surgery to remove whatever that was left of the cancer. Had a month off to recuperate then started my 33 rounds of radiations! I have been in remission from cancer for almost 2 yrs now, Official on May 15, 2017. My last treatment of radiation was in the week of May 15, 2015. I just got my period back now that I am 45yrs old. I had my kids already so I was kind of hoping to fall into pre-menopause...But then even in pre-menopause, you do get some menstrual cycles in here & there...So yes, there is hope for all you younger ones out there. Still wanting a family, just be careful, make sure you keep an eye on your hormones...Make sure your doctor knows of your previous fight with cancer & survived it!!!

[Gypsymex]

Triple negative, stopped chemo in September, haven't had a period since first chemo in April. I'm 38 and want kids. Thanks for the hope

[Gypsymex]

I had triple negative breast cancer and am in the process of reconstruction after double mastectomy. I don't have any kids, but I have been pregnant. My sister died of malenoma right after giving birth. I truly feel any cancer and pregnancy is linked due to hormone changes and the craziness your body goes through.

[Eballew]

HER2 positive with ATM mutation and 1/2 of BRCA1 mutilation, don't ask. 

1. Started chemo at 47

2. Had very regular periods my whole life.

3. 6 months of chemo, double mastectomy, radiation, 3 months of just Herceptin a 3 month break and another 3 months of Herceptin. 

4. My period stopped from the first chemo treatment.

5. I had no hormone therapy.

6. 3 months after my last Herceptin treatment my period came back. It came back heavier than before but I've only had one at this point but a month has not passed since my last period.

Basically I have had 2 years of treatment in between surgeries etc. and my period came back at the age of 49. I will update as time goes on, BUT it gives hope to all. 

God Bless on your journey.

[HeavenlySense]

Thank you for the information. I'm in my early thirties. I have no kids. I had Triple Negative Breast Cancer. It's been 7 months since chemo. My cycles didn't stop until chemo was over. I was having hot flashes from that shot but that has stopped. I went to see a fertility doctor about my periods & childbearing in the next year or so. I'm worried about my cycle. So I'm going to try that fertile aid. My eye lashes are still growing back & falling out so i know i have time for babies yet. But i want my cycle back.

[LEJ81]

I went through a meanapause post chemo and it reversed. No periods for 8 months. All meanapausal symptoms and bloods confirmed this at 32. Had first natural pregnancy earlier this year, unfort ended in miscarriage and then again in Aug, not giving up hope... I got pregnant twice naturally post chemo - praying 3rd time lucky x

[Ru]

Hie all I guess periods differ from person to person or treatment type. I am undergoing chemo Fec-T and periods are normal every month.

[Leyla2]

Sorry by the way my cancer was negative to all hormones. So i dont have a problem with estrogen or the other hormones.

[Leyla2]

Hello to everyone.
I would like to share a news with you. After eleven months of no periods. I have finally have a period. It started last friday. It was very light to start with, coming stoping and now on my 4th day and more like a period now. For those who wish to have children maybe after waiting for 6 or 9 months and periods don't come you might benifit from using herble medication like fertil aid. I have used this last few weeks just for my periods to come back i was worried of becoming menspose early. So i used it and hven't finished the entire box yet and my periods have come back. Previously from my blood test the doctor was saying that i was menapousal but it might be temptory. How ever i never had hot flashes thank god. But even if the doctor says that you are menaposal don't forget that there is a 2 year period of possible waiting or more to be definate for sure that you are. So i hope i gave some hope for you. Good luck.

[Leyla2]

Hi Maharjan. Also i am wondering about reconstruction Are you thinking about this. I want to have recontruction, but i am woried at the same time. However it is good that they give plenty of time for this. Thankyou.

[Leyla2]

Hi Maherjan.
You have had the same type of cancer as i did. I bet our medication must be similar. When you said you felt weak. Do you mean like loss in energy or fatigue? Maybe herble remadies and vitamins and herble teas might help, but it would be olso good if you ask the doctor. Also regular exercise might help too. If you don"t mind me asking. When did your periods came back after treatment? I was 36 at time of treatment now 37. Almost one year and no periods. Thank you for sharing. Good luck and take care.

[maharjan]

I am 38yeas, 2 years post mastectomy and chemo for triple negative breast cancer. Touchwood, things are going good except for weakness in my follow up but past few months, my menstrual cycle is getting shorter. I am getting periods every 25 days which used to be 30-35 days previously.
Need valuable syggestions and experiences please

[Leyla2]

Hi Al,
Thank you for your lovely comment. I hope every thing goes well for all of us. See you too xx

[Arl]

Hi Leyla,
I'm sorry about all you are having to go through, so sad about your mum, and now you, it is all so worrying time but once you get told your treatment plan, it gets a little easier, it must be so tough too especially having young baby and other children, but I'm sure they will all get you through this horrible time in your life. I have just reached my 5yrs but still
wait on result of mammogram, I could be wrong I wish someone else would come along and answer, but don't think tripple negative is linked to you having a baby, it's all early days, I can't believe now that I can talk about this, because at the very beginning was falling apart, I had to ring the breast care nurse up a few times, some of my questions looking back now, I think did I really ask or say that! I hope someone can answer this post for you, I am not that much help, I'm sorry. Please keep in touch and keep us up to date with everything.x

[Leyla2]

Hi AL, 

thank you for your reply. 

I couldn`t go to the moving forward course. i have young children. I wonder if the type tripple negative cancer is linked to pregnancy, because i had a new baby then just after a month of the bith of my latest child i lost my  mum, she was really poorly, she past away from hart failiur, but also she had a rock hardness to her left side of her breast. It wasn`t diagnose because she olsa had problems with vitle organs, her hart was very week and it resulted to the poor function in other organs like kidney and liver failiur. and swelling in the body, hardness and heavyness i the breast ( i thoght it could be cancer), then at those very same time dealing with a new baby, dealing with my mothers death i felt a lump in my breast. it wasn`t as large as it was as the time progressed. i thoght it was just a milk duct, but the only difference from my experince from milk duct from my previous babies that this was not painful, and it was a bit on the upper side of the breast. i just thoght it was a milk duckt but then it did not go infact it doubled in size. then i decided to go to the doctors as i even felt it growing and moving towards my arm pit. so every one out there, my advise is if you feel any kind of lump in your breast, pease act fast and go to your doctor. it is not a joke, if you act fast you may even save your self from a major operation like mine which is the compleat removel of your breast. you can save it if your fast, thank you. good luck to every one. i`m also worried about becoming menapousal, but i feel greatful to have lovely 4 kids. i hope everyone can be able to have their child, so good luck everyone

[Arl]

Hi Leyla, 

Thank you for replying back, reading all the other comments below I'm kind of assuming that everything is alright, a few woman have there periods back while on medication, it's just I got a bit worried because been hearing different stories, will wait see if come back, so far have stopped again. Sorry that you had to have a mastectomy, I had a lumpectomy and all lymph nodes removed, mines was her 2, so had a year herceptin too, I must admit the chemo was the worst for me, the 1st 3 fec was fine a few side effects, it was the doxitacel was the worst bit, but then we are all different, my biggest fear was losing my hair, I know to some people it's not a big deal, to me I have never felt so scared to look at myself, yet it didn't bother me seeing others, I just wasn't that brave at that part. Thankfully my arm is improving, but can't lift heavy things for to long, I joined a gym just over a year ago, don't overdo it, but love using it for the pool, etc. I don't know anyone that has had reconstruction I'm sorry, did you go on the moving forward course? I found that so helpful, I have just started writing on this forum, which I find so useful and people are so nice, when I got diagnosed I was scared of going on the net, but a while after noticed this forum and always read different things. I hope everything goes well for you Leyla and everyone else that is going through all this.x

[Leyla2]

Hi, Arl. Thank you for your comment. So, your period came back after 3 and a half years. Then came back, but is shorter than than normal. And then it has gone again. Maybe your body is trying to come back to normal or it might be going. I think it would be best to ask the doctor to find out whats going on. But it's up to you. I hope everything will go well for you. Best whishes. I forgot to mention about the sergery. My worst part of the treatmet was surgery. Loosing a part of your body. I have had a single mastectommy to the left side. And removal of the lymph nodes. I haven't had reconstruction yet. Did any one go through this stage? What type of recontruction do you think id good. Thank you.

[Arl]

Hi Leyla2,
You are sounding a bit like myself, apart mines was her2 positive and on herceptin after the chemo, My period stopped on the 4th chemo, stopped for about 3 & 1/2 years then came back, for few months before that was getting cramp feelings in stomach, but all seems to have stopped, had about 5 periods, not heavy just lasting about 3 days, now have stopped again, hoping it's a good sign now, I always thought once you started with chemo that would be the end of them, and was thinking of asking the doctor for blood tests because was starting to think I was going through the menopause, but with that happening now, might leave it for a few months to see if they come back or maybe finally have stopped, don't want to put myself through anymore worry yet! x

[Leyla2]

Hi everyone, i am new to something like this. And it's the first time i am using this. I hope everyone is doing well with their treatment and life after cancer. I had my treatment around i think June 2015 up to end of December 2015, i had tripple negative breast cancer at age 36. And my chemo treatment was three cycles of Cyclopofosfomide, and Epirubison every fortnight. Then Paclataxin every week. I had a couple of periods during my treatment, my last one was very close to another type of bleeding maybe period again and that was in November 2015, i have not had anymore periods after then. Now i am wondering have i become menaposal? Does anyone know, what type of treatment is more aggresive,and more likely to couse menapousal, the ladies who have the treatment for triple negative or ladies who have hormonal reseptive based cancer treatment? Also, i am wondering, some of you ladies have had a pausing time ( periods have stoped) in your cycle. But then periods have returned and now you know that it was temprory. How did you feel during that tme with no periods? Was there any meneposal symptoms? And did it go after your body returned back to normal? Sory if i am asking lots of silly questions. Thankyou.

[amlsurvivorx2]

Hi I was wondering if you took any estrogen because Idk if in should start it or not. It's been almost two years and my period hasn't returned

[amlsurvivorx2]

Did you take any estrogen before the spotting began?

[Jonsi]

Following BC diagnosis I received chemotherapy  treatment September- December 2014 am since on  Tamoxifen, also aged 44 and have just started a light period today. This happened once before last September and lasted a day. I hope this will be similar and a one off.

[Shelby56220]

Diagnosed TNBC March 2015. 3 rounds of FEC, 3 rounds of T. Last period 5/7/15, last chemo 14/7/15. Been having period symptoms, breast tenderness, cramping etc last few days. Woke this morning to a small show, looks like the unwanted maybe returning. I'm 44 and until treatment periods were normal.

[Claudia1]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31. Started chemo and my periods stopped straight away. Chemo started mid 2013 and ended late 2014. Throughout the treatment i also had a double mastectomy and an axillary clearance. Got my first period after chemo 1.5 years after my last treatment. It seemed fairly normal. Experienced period pain for a few days before hand. Unfortunately its been 2 months since my first period and i havent had one since. Im hoping that its just my body slowly returning back to normal. Im now 34. Overly excited to even have a period as i had dealt with early menopause and the possibility of not having children. Im hoping that due to having my first period that i now have the chance to have my own family.
To all you ladies out there i wish you all the very best that life has to offer. Sending all my strength and love.
Claudia xxxx

[francksgirl]

4 years ago I ended chemo. After my first treatment my periods stopped. Now I'm a little nervous because they seem to be back, not not normal like a "real" period. Very brownish and clotty. I am experiencing the cramping like a period, and a month ago to the DATE I had spotting. I'm assuming it's back. I'm 47 years old. I'm shocked that it's back now after being gone for so long.

[MsMapleD]

Hello ladies

I'm 36, have been through FEC-T (with Heceptin) and surgery (starting radiotherapy on Monday). I had my last period in December (at that point around the 4th or 5th chemo session), then they stopped. I started again last week and it's been extremely heavy. Extremely. It's now also in it's ninth day. I spoke to one of the Breast Cancer Care workers the other day and she said that the first period back can be heavy, but - as it's Saturday! - was wondering if anyone has experienced the same, before I can get the GP on Monday?

[cowgirl bling]

Had breast surgery april 15 2014 the periods stopped and started to spot last month and now again this month  more , started to freak out so it is nice to have a place to chat !!! a year and a 1/2 was nice and im 54 !!! this should be done, well i was hoping !!!

[headorange]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 (january) started immediately on chemo. Periods stopped in March of 2012. I woke up this morning and noticed I was bleeding after going to the restroom. I'm assuming I started my period again. It's been so nice not to have this to worry about for four years. I never thought I would have my period again. It's been almost exactly four years since it stopped. Anyone else out there who's had this? AND I"M 50!

[Angela Lewis]

Thank u for sharing your beautiful story.

[saralynn]

i did recieve a cycle afterwards. after i stopped chemo my period came once every 3-5 months. after 2 years it became regular (28 day cycle). i did a video on my journey please check it out:  https://youtu.be/d13g9Wky4us

[Angela Lewis]

And if so, could I this b implantation bleeding? Tests still negative.

[Angela Lewis]

Thank u for sharing your story and giving hope to those who have gone through chemo and cancer. It's been 4 years since my bone marrow transplant and last period. Two weeks ago out of nowhere, I showed signs of ovulation and like 4-5 days later, just some light pink mucus discharge. Still no period but symptoms of either possible period or possible pregnancy. Can this happen?

[Amero]

Hello. I am 42 and was diagnosed just over a year ago. My periods stopped after the second round of FEC, which was then followed by doxatacel. They have returned this week, 8 months after my last round of chemo. Whether I am fertile is another matter as I have PCOS and had to have fertility treatment to have my children. 

Amero xxx

[Angela Lewis]

Hi! I am 35 years old and an AML (Acute myeloid Leukemia) survivor. I was also pregnant at the time. She is healthy and now 4 years old. I have had chemo and a bone marrow transplant. It's bone 4 years since transplant, pregnancy and chemotherapy. I thought for sure I was infertile. My periods still haven't returned but I just had my firat signs of very fertile ovulation. But still no period. Confusing if u ask me. Lol. BUT my message to u is there is always hope. Never give up in what u want or believe is right for u. Good luck and many blessings.

[zinzouna]

@herewego

Thank you for your answer,

So you recover your periode in less than 6 months , that's a good thing, even you want to put your ovaries out instead.....

i'm looking for woman, who hadn't period for more than year  😞 

merry christmas to all !!!

nath