Period after 3 years?

[3yrsstrong]

Hi! I am new to this group, hope I am posting in the right place! I have a question: background: dx with stage 2 infiltrating ductal carcinoma, ER +, Her2Neu+, in Aug 2009- finished taxotere, carboplatin (6 rounds) and a year of herceptin. Still on tamoxifen. (For 3 years now) Have not menstruated in >3 years--until today!!!
I am 47, was mestruating normally prior to dx, but chemo stopped it in it tracks. Is it strange that my period has come back after 3 years of none, and while still on tamoxifen?
Thanks!

[Becky]

This can certainly happen but I would make an appointment to see your gynecologist. Does the menstrual flow seem "normal" or are you spotting etc. I would get it checked out just to be sure (I am not saying this to worry you in the least). I am assuming you have been seeing your gyn on a regular basis and getting an ultrasound that measures the uterine lining thickness since you have been on Tamoxifen. This is very important since Tamoxifen can affect the uterine lining.

[3yrsstrong]

Thank! Yes I have been seeng my gyn regularly, but she has never done a ultrasound to measure the uterine lining, hmmm. I do have an appointment with her-next week, maybe I will call to see if I can see her sooner. Yes it seems like a regular period, and even a little cramping. Thanks!

[kristen50]

Hi,
I too started my period after several years out from chemo. It came back a few times and I was on tamoxifen at the time. Since I was on tamoxifen my gyn had me in every six months, which may have been overkill to some but she called them tamoxifen checks and within that time I had several ultrasounds and even a couple of D&C's because bleeding or cysts which she wanted to keep in check! Nothing ever came from them and all was well. But, it did take several more years before I finally became post menopausal!
Kristen

[Kellennea]

I say get it checked. I started bleeding on Tamoxifen and ended up having to have a full blown abdominal exploratory hysterectomy. Always better to be safe!

[3yrsstrong]

Thank you all for your posts and information. I just got off the phone with my gyn's nurse, and scheduled an earlier appointment with the gyn and an ultrasound, Tuesday morning. I do remember my oncologist saying my menstral cycles could possibly come back, since I was premenopausal when I started chemo. So I am not going to worry over the weekend, but feel better to have the gyn check it out and do the ultrasound on Tuesday.
Thanks!!

[karen z]

You have gotten great advice and are on the right track. And, yes, this can happen. And that is why you have been on T rather than an AI.