what is the current thinking on ooph for ER+

[Becky]

It depends on a number of factors. You don't say how old you are. Also, are you in menopause or chemopause. For example, like you, I stopped getting my period after the second chemo (had Ac followed by taxol so I had 8 rounds). About 6 months after my last chemo (and 9 months since having a period), I got my period back. I was on Arimidex (still am) so it was worthless until I got my ovaries removed. Lesson learned - get your LH, FSH and estradiol levels done (via blood test). It is the only sure way to ensure you are menopausal and not chemopausal.

I should have known better as I had had a gyne appointment where they wanted to do a baseline uterine thickness ultrasound. That ultrasound showed that I had ovarian activity (about 2 weeks before I got my period back). The activity was on just one ovary (that's all you need) and it appeared as if I was going to have a double ovulation - which I probably did since I had my period about 2 weeks later. Got ooph (was 46 at the time) and that was that. Just make sure, especially if you are taking an AI and not Tamoxifen. At least Tamoxifen protects you no matter if you are pre or post (or peri) menopausal.

[roz123]

thx becky Im 43 so not even close to natural menopause. I did have all my levels checked and i am officially in menopause. I also wanted to make sure that i was so i asked my gyn to run all the tests. So I guess you had the ooph b/c your periods came back?

[Becky]

I was talking to a Sloan Kettering onc once at a show who said any woman under 50 deemed in menopause from chemo should get the LH, FSH and estradiol levels checked every 3 months. You can come right out of it in a snap.

Yes - I got my ovaries removed because I came right out of it in a snap (my blood work was menopausal 2 months before - we ran the blood to decide on Tamoxifen or Arimidex right after rads were done).