Irregular periods during chemo

Hi Raf44 welcome to the forum.

I didn't have chemo so cant offer any useful information for you except to say that to my knowledge of reading posts on here the chemo can play havoc with your menstrual cycle. However, I am inserting the link for you to the chemo forum on here and maybe one of the  folks on here currently undergoing chemo will be able to offer more information for you.

You need only click the link I have inserted to take you straight to the chemo forum,.

chemo link to thread

Thank you xx

Hi. I started chemo in Nov 2020. They told me I would start the menopause and, most likely, periods would end so I assumed that would happen straight away. I had one period after the first EC and have not had another since. I assume this is the end of that phase of my life. I’m also getting very hot (but not with a temperature) so I assume that’s the start of menopause for me. Before that I had regular periods. I assume everybody is different so might be worth discussing with your breast care nurse about how it might be impacting on you. Good luck, hope the rest of your chemo goes well for you

Raf44, I am 39 years old and also suffer from endometriosis though have also had regular periods up until now (apart from when I went through IVF rounds). I have completed 3 x ECs, 1 x Docetaxel and 4 x Paclitaxel (I started my chemo back in October 2020). I was warned that chemo would give me early menopause symptoms. I have found that my periods have pretty much stopped now. I had a couple of bleeds through the course of my chemo but haven’t had anything for a while now. It does happen quickly and, although I have had a history of issues with my fertility, I was still pretty devastated as everything seemed so final with regards to growing our family. I suppose, with a positive slant, I will eventually appreciate not having to suffer crippling periods as my cancer was oestrogen positive so hoping my meds will stop my painful periods now I can no longer take the pill. I have also experienced hot and cold flushes on EC but wasn’t sure if this was hormonal or just the chemo?
I hope that you are keeping well otherwise and that you are tolerating the treatments ok. I hope this helps put your mind at ease? Please speak to your oncology team if you are not happy with anythi but that has been my experience.

Warm hugs,

Bekky

xx

I have also put a stone on in weight too since started chemo. I have read that you can put weight on. I thought it would be the other way. It just couldn’t get any better could it?!! Xx

Hi Bekky,

Thanks for your reply and sorry to hear about your issue with fertility. I understand it must be have been stressful for you. Dealing with cancer treatment while having other health problems. I think at your age, you may get your periods back after treatment. Hopefully things get better for you and you can have a family. The positive thing is your cancer is hormone related so they can control it better after tteatment and it has a good outcome. Mine is TNBC. I haven't had major issues with my first chemo. I think the worst thing is mood changes. Thanks again, atleast I have some idea what us going to happen to my periods! Take care xx

Thanks Robbo16,

I did get hot flushes as well first couple of days after my chemo. I have only done one cycle so far so will see how it goes in the next one. I hope things get well for you. Thanks

I have heard people put on weight. My weight has always been steady as far as I remember. Hopefully after chemo treatment our body gets back to its normal. I know it takes time but there is hope.xx