Did chemo put you into menopause?

[Becky]

I was 45 when diagnosed. I had my period the same day I had my first chemo (AC) that night (I was due to have it). I had my second period about a week late or so and, like you, it lasted 3 weeks and was so heavy I almost considered a diaper. After that, I did not have a period again.... I thought I was done.... but NO, six months after my last chemo, I started up again. The first one was like the last one, very heavy but not as long (10 days or so) and I started menstrating as usual. I did get my ovaries removed to stop for good about 2 months after that because Tamoxifen and I did not get along well and I am ER+ but PR- so I thought an AI would work better.

My onc also told me that I was "done" but I wasn't and was closer to the menopause age because by the time I was done with chemo, I had turned 46 (and my mom was late with menopause - 54) so I probably wasn't that close to it. I felt a bit bad to complain because I got "late" herceptin starting 4 months after my last chemo (wasn't available prior to that for me) and I had a "late" Herceptin buddy who was in my boat. She was 33 and desperately wanted to have a baby but she never got her period back ever so I didn't complain that I did. It didn't seem right.

You can get a test for LH and FSH but do not let them do just that. Have them test your estradiol level too. That is very important.

[ginnyg898]

Thanks for the info Becky!

I can understand how much tougher it would be if I wanted to have more children; fortunately we are done. For me this about trying to figure out what is going on with my body...Chemo blazes a trail, as you know