Good question. I have not had a period since commencement of chemo over two years ago at age 45...but this doesn't mean I'm postmeno. I still, according to labs, am perimeno. I think so many things can factor into a decision( and it's best to be a part of said dicision ) including age. Tamoxafin, which I take, works as an antagonist in the breast but an agonist in the bones and uterus--I think my bones are better off this way, as I (hope of hopes) have many many years ahead of me to risk breaking a hip due to brittle bones. Chemo sucked them dry, and I'm osteopenic and nearly two inches shorter, like many women here. I'm good with leaving my ovaries to function out their crippled life, reap whatever small benefit I can from them to my bones, and rest reasonably that Tamoxafin is making a near-impossible environment for cancer to thrive.
I'll stop rambing and post a link which breaks the options down: http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-hormo...

((Hug))

A lot of times the ovaries continue to produce small amounts of estrogen. That is the reasoning they gave for suggesting I get a total hysterectomy. I was not in menopause yet and the oncologist also stated she could not start an aromatse inhibitor unless I was post menopausal. In my case that was two compelling reasons to proceed with a hysterectomy.
Aromatase inhibitors - Femara, Arimidex, Aromasin, etc..... prevent the body from using the enzyme aromatase to transform androgen hormones and make estrogen. For those with estrogen and progesterone positive breast cancer this is essential in decreasing the chances of re-occurrence or metastasis.

It's not standard protocol since hormone blockers work so well. I had to insist because I didn't want to take the hormone blockers any more.

I asked to have my ovaries removed but I was told that it wasn't necessary, I don need them I am passed my 50s lol

@A MyBCTeam Member - I didn't know bones click ;-)
Ovaries primarily produce estrogen and you absolutely don't want to replace that if you have an estrogen-positive cancer.
Eating a healthy, low carb diet high in fruits, vegetables, proteins and healthy fats is the best you can do for your body.
I have fewer side effects from having my ovaries and tubes removed than I had while taking Tamoxifen and i feel great.

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