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So I'm 36 and been in chemo induced menopause for the last year and a half and haven't had a period since Jan. 2025 but now...

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Sacramento Area, CA

I think my menstrual cycles have returned and I’ve been experience a period for 9 days now. Seems like there’s no end in sight. For you Ladies that had to go through chemo induced menopause and your cycles have returned did you experience longer periods? My doctor doesn’t seem too concerned but it just seems like a lot of days to be on a period if that’s what this is for sure. It’s really taking a toll on me and causing more fatigue.

July 6
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A MyBCTeam Member

Leesa, please reach out to your doctor or nurse navigator because they need to notate your file. 9 days is a long time and you are continually losing blood which will make you so much more tired than ever. Before you call the doctor's office, jot down the 9 days , are there any blood clots when you go to the ladies room, are you having any pain and how strong is the flow. It's probably from the treatments but they still need to know and you need some relief. You are a saint because after 9 days, I would be a mess and short tempered for sure. If you are losing a lot of blood. You're going to be much more tired than normal. Please stay in touch so we know how you're doing. Much love and endless hugs!!

July 6 (edited)
MyBCTeam

What a rollercoaster — and totally understandable to have questions about this! After chemo-induced menopause, the return of periods can be unpredictable. The ovaries can take months or even years to recover after chemotherapy, and when they do, cycles may not return "normally" right away.

Irregular, longer, or heavier Show Full Answer

What a rollercoaster — and totally understandable to have questions about this! After chemo-induced menopause, the return of periods can be unpredictable. The ovaries can take months or even years to recover after chemotherapy, and when they do, cycles may not return "normally" right away.

Irregular, longer, or heavier periods can happen as your body recalibrates. That said, 9 days is worth keeping an eye on, especially since the added blood loss can absolutely worsen fatigue — which is already a common lingering side effect after chemo.

Here are a few things worth discussing with your doctor:

- How heavy the bleeding is (soaking through pads/tampons quickly is a red flag)
- Your fatigue levels — prolonged bleeding can contribute to low iron/anemia
- Whether this is truly a period or something else worth investigating
- Tracking your cycle going forward to share patterns with your care team

Even if your doctor isn't concerned, it's completely okay to push for more answers if *you* are concerned. You know your body best, and advocating for yourself is always the right move. 💛

July 6
A MyBCTeam Member

Leesa, you are absolutely incredible! Please stay in touch so we know how you're doing. Hoping your doctor helps you today because you definitely need relief. I would not wait another minute. Call him and call again if you don't get a call
pretty quickly. Goodness gracious. You are strong and patient and I admire you. Stay in touch. Much love and endless hugs.

July 8
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member Thanks for the info. I got my results today. Out of Normal range: 12 - 252 ng/mL: my level is 17. So that seems pretty low. I’m waiting for my doctor to reach out and let me know how to proceed, if I should be on an iron supplement. Unfortunately I’m still on this damn cycle 10 days and counting. So I’m assuming this level would probably only go down until I this cycle ends. Ugh 😩

July 7
A MyBCTeam Member

Sue and Rose, thank you!

July 7

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