menapause & period coming back

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coralrose
coralrose Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone taken shots to stop your period?
I stopped mine after second dose of chemo. I haven't had it since and just finished my 18 month chemo program. I had the FSH test which said I was menopausal and yet I have signs of my period coming back. And I was told I would have to take these shots to stop it...thank you

Ali

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  • martyzl
    martyzl Member Posts: 196
    #2
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    Hello Ali,

    Did you take shots to *suspend* your period (such as Zoladex) or to *stop* it completely?

    I took Zoladex shots (a little pill, basically, implanted under the skin in my bum- normally in your abdomen but I'd had a TramFlap and we didn't want to mess with that area- using a needle the size of a cocktail drink straw. *grin*)
    My periods stopped and I went through chemo-induced menopause (at 37) which lasted 11 months after I stopped chemo when suddenly my periods came back, right as rain. I then became pregnant 2.5 months after that!

    Not sure if I was any help here... let us know what type of shots you received and perhaps someone will be of more help..

    Have a great weekend!
    ~marty
  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #3
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    Hi Ali. I think your doctor is referring to Lupron shots to chemically put you back into menopause. Chemo put me into menopause for 13 months and then my period came back. I have decided to have my ovaries out instead of getting the shots. That way I get rid of the risk of ovarian cancer as a bonus. There are others here who have or are taking the shots. Hopefully they will reply to give you their slant on things.

    Take care,
    Susan
  • momof4
    momof4 Member Posts: 56
    #4
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    Hi Ali, I had my period come back and after speaking with the doctor and having read past post here we decided that since i didnt want any more kids it was easier to have the ovaries removed instead of me taking the shots wich i heard are very painful. The surgery was done outpatient( laparascopy) with no pain after and able to drive on the third day.
    Hope this helped
    Keep strong love and hugs
    Mariat.
  • newboobs
    newboobs Member Posts: 121
    #5
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    martyzl said:

    Hello Ali,

    Did you take shots to *suspend* your period (such as Zoladex) or to *stop* it completely?

    I took Zoladex shots (a little pill, basically, implanted under the skin in my bum- normally in your abdomen but I'd had a TramFlap and we didn't want to mess with that area- using a needle the size of a cocktail drink straw. *grin*)
    My periods stopped and I went through chemo-induced menopause (at 37) which lasted 11 months after I stopped chemo when suddenly my periods came back, right as rain. I then became pregnant 2.5 months after that!

    Not sure if I was any help here... let us know what type of shots you received and perhaps someone will be of more help..

    Have a great weekend!
    ~marty

    I had Lupron shots during chemo and for 2 yrs afterwards. It has been proven to preserve fertility in us "older" women. I had no idea that at 38 I was older LOL.

    My period came back last week after 3 yrs., so we are very excited at my house! We're hoping babies are in our future. Martyzl, your story inspires me!!
  • martyzl
    martyzl Member Posts: 196
    #6
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    newboobs said:

    I had Lupron shots during chemo and for 2 yrs afterwards. It has been proven to preserve fertility in us "older" women. I had no idea that at 38 I was older LOL.

    My period came back last week after 3 yrs., so we are very excited at my house! We're hoping babies are in our future. Martyzl, your story inspires me!!

    Well, Booby, *laughing*
    I was told there was about a 70% chance of return to fertility. Is Lupron similar?
    Watch for your cycle and take good care of yourself...oh, also, frequently say that it's ok that you didn't have babies and "try" not to get pregnant, without conviction. *wink* Worked for me!

    All my best, have fun practicing!
    ~marty
  • chris1010
    chris1010 Member Posts: 29
    #7
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    Actually, I did not have to take a shot to stop my period, it stopped on its own when I started the chemo. I freaked out, but eventually, it came back after I completed my chemo. At first, it was abnormal, but it is back to it old self, but without the cramps, thank God. I plan to have a baby, this is my 5th year taking Tamoxifen, well the end of December will be my anniversary and my new husband and I plan to have a baby, any suggestions? We are talking with my oncologists on March 9th.
  • martyzl
    martyzl Member Posts: 196
    #8
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    chris1010 said:

    Actually, I did not have to take a shot to stop my period, it stopped on its own when I started the chemo. I freaked out, but eventually, it came back after I completed my chemo. At first, it was abnormal, but it is back to it old self, but without the cramps, thank God. I plan to have a baby, this is my 5th year taking Tamoxifen, well the end of December will be my anniversary and my new husband and I plan to have a baby, any suggestions? We are talking with my oncologists on March 9th.

    Hi again Chris,
    The shots being referred to are normally used to suspend the ovaries and/or estrogen production.

    The shots I had were to attempt to preserve/suspend my ovaries and give me a better chance of fertility after a heavy chemo regime. (Chemo can kill the function of the ovaries in some cases.) Not everyone's ovaries return to a functioning state after chemo, hence, the shots.

    On the other hand, with ER+ cancers, they try to stop the production of estrogen by the ovaries in order to reduce the chance of the cancer firing up again. Others opt to have their ovaries removed.

    Be well,
    ~marty

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