Hi, I have been taking tamoxifen for just over 2 years and win be turning 53 at the end of Feb this year, I have not had a period for the last 2 years and assumed that at my age I had gone through menopause. My period has just suddenly returned, is this normal or could it be a sign of something else?
Thank you
Lisa
Hi Lillytee,
Thank you for contacting us and welcome back to the online community I do hope you are getting a lot of advice and support from it.
I’m Lorna one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist’s on the support line.
It must have been a surprise for you, for your period to suddenly restart after you thought you had been through the menopause. The menopause happens naturally when a woman’s hormone levels fall, and periods stop, this usually happens around the ages of 45 and 55.
Some cancer treatments can cause a temporary or permanent menopause because they affect how the ovaries work. Tamoxifen is a drug that is used to treat breast cancer in both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.
If you were still having regular periods when you started treatment your periods may have changed becoming lighter, irregular or they could have stopped altogether. This can also happen if you had chemotherapy.
Generally, your periods would start again once you stop taking tamoxifen if you had not gone through the menopause naturally while taking the drug. However, it can take 4 to 5 months for your periods to become regular again.
If you are worried at all you should speak to your consultant, breast care nurse or your GP they will be able to assess you, and at the very least put your mind at rest.
I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.
The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.
Best wishes, Lorna
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
Ref LB/KR
