Girl Stuff

[nello]

Hey fellow sistas, I had 6 rounds of CHOP chemo last year for NHL. The last cycle was in December, so it's nearly been 12 months. I've read that it takes 6-12 months after finishing treatment for your periods to return back to normal. Whilst mine are regular, they're not the same as they used to be. On the first day it is light as if I was about to finish. The next three days are REALLY light so it's more like spotting. Not that I'm complaining! Just curious if anyone else can relate to that and what your experiences have been. Also interested to know if anyone has conceived naturally after having chemo? I'm not planning to have babies anytime soon though! I'm in my 20s and in the healthy BMI range.

[Mustang_Sal]

Hi Nello, If you are worried about your cycles I would make an appointment with your GP he/she can do a blood test which can tell you what is going on. I was concerned with my own cycles so I went to my GP who did a blood test I was referred to see a fertility specialist where I had a few tests and ultra sounds scans done. I am in my early 30`s. If you feel you need to talk more feel free to message me xx

[Mustang_Sal]

Hi Nello, If you are worried about your cycles I would make an appointment with your GP he/she can do a blood test which can tell you what is going on. I was concerned with my own cycles so I went to my GP who did a blood test I was referred to see a fertility specialist where I had a few tests and ultra sounds scans done. I am in my early 30`s. If you feel you need to talk more feel free to message me xx

[nello]

Thanks for the reply Sal! More curious than concerned. These changes are only to be expected. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if it's permanent...

[loz_d]

Hey Nello. My cycles are different too! It's been 12 months since my last chemo. A couple of months ago I had 2 cycles in one month. But I don't know whether my body is getting used to not being on the pill (I stopped 18 months ago).

[Gcrafti]

Hi there, I had 6 CHOP followed by radiation in 2012 for NHL. I had just had a baby when I was diagnosed. My periods started up again a couple of months after finishing treatment. I have about 5 days of spotting before I get my actual period - it took a lot of testing with a fertility specialist to work out that the spotting wasn't actually my period. Day one is when it's actually really heavy and painful. Notwithstanding that we now have this information about my cycle and despite knowing that I am ovulating again, I haven't been able to conceive again. I'm actually very keen to connect with other women who have tried to conceive post treatment and to hear what their experiences have been.

[nello]

Thanks for the replies girls! @Gcrafti - I am also interested to hear from others' experiences of conceiving post treatment. My periods have become somewhat more normal this month. Hooray/boooo! This website has some good info: http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/treatments/chemotherapy