Zoladex and period

I am 35 years old and have been on Zoladex and Tomoxifin for 2 years now. My period is normal before I started the treatment. I stopped both of the drugs in August 2005. The Zoladex shot is the 3 months one, so the effect of it is supposed to be up to November 2005. Right now, my hormone level is still very very low and no signs of getting my period back. I am wondering if this is normal. If not, what specialist should I be seeing? Thanks in advance!

Helen

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Helen:  Zoladex is generally considered a reversible chemically induced menopause.  Return of menstruation may be delayed following the use of Zoladex although the prescribing information suggests that if menstruation does not return within several months, you should let the doctor know.  The average age at natural menopause is about 50.  However, there is variation in this and the perimenopause may begin as many as 10-12 years earlier.  Other factors that may contribute to early menopause include certain types of chemotherapy.  Generally, the closer a woman is to natural menopause, the more likely chemotherapy is to induce a temporary or permanent menopause or accelerate the time of natural menopause.  Unfortunately, it is not always easy to tell where a woman might be in relation to menopause as hormones can bounce around - especially during perimenopause and cannot be considered representative on any single test.  A gynecologist will have the most expertise in terms of trying to evaluate where you might be in your menstrual cycle.  But this ultimately may be a test of time and evaluation.