No Periods but Blood tests say No Menopause Either

menopause
Hi Catherine,

I did go into early menopause from the chemo and radiation. I had just turned 41 when I started chemo and actually got my period (and a heavy, difficult one, at that) on the same day that I first started chemo. It lasted extra long (almost two weeks) and I haven't had a period since then (it's been over three years now). When I first finished the initial chemo (Folfox) and then had six weeks of radiation on my rectal tumor, I was told that when you're considered too young for menopause, that sometimes the periods can start up again & that it could take up to a year to start up again. Mine never did start up again, but maybe that will be the case with you, probably depending upon your age.

Interesting that your blood tests didn't show menopause if you're no longer getting periods. Mine did show I was in menopause when I had the bloodwork done about a year after I started all the chemo & I was 42 at the time (am now 44). I guess it will just be a waiting game for you to see if it comes back or if you are truly in menopause. Usually the definition of menopause (without considering the bloodwork results) is not having had a period for a year. Once it's been about a year, I think you could officially consider yourself in menopause.

Oh, the hot flashes... they're awful, aren't they?! I continue to deal with them & they are NO FUN! In fact, my dog barked last night at 3 a.m. that he wanted to go outside and I normally would not have been thrilled at getting up and going outside with the dog in the middle of the night, but I woke up so hot and sweaty (and it was not hot outside or in the house) that I welcomed the chance to go outside and cool off- crazy! I need to get back to the acupuncture- it really worked for me.
My chemo center offers several services to their patients like massages, acupuncture, etc. & I have discovered that acupuncture for hot flashes really has worked for me- better than any supplements I've taken! I didn't do it over the summer because I was busy w/ kids home & after last night's major hotflash which seemed to last all night- I need to call and make another acupuncture appt. If getting acupuncture is an option for you, I really do suggest trying it! (plus it works for a lot of other things too- my lower back pain really improved with it too). If you've never had it before, I just want to let you know that it isn't bad at all. I was kind of freaked out to try it at first, but it really didn't hurt and the whole session really ended up being pretty relaxing. I now highly recommend it to everyone for a variety of problems that can be treated by it! I actually just got moderate help for the chemo nausea and digestive problems that I was getting the acupuncture for, but they agreed to focus my acupuncture on any issues I had, even if they weren't specifically cancer related (I guess the hotflashes technically are, since I wouldn't be in menopause yet or dealing with the hot flashes if I hadn't had chemo).

If your bloodtests were inconclusive, I'd request to get the bloodwork done again in another six months if your periods haven't started up again by then. Even though it felt somewhat like a loss and made me feel old to be in menopause at age 41, I am now relieved that I don't have to deal with periods anymore! (just the hotflashes, lol).

Best wishes,
Lisa