To ladies - how was your menstrual cycle after the surgery?

[u/e1encia]

Does a tumor resection surgery affect the menstrual cycle? It's been almost 2 months since I had my tumor removed in early July. I had a period pretty much on time in late July but nothing since then. I'm usually very regular, and 100% sure I'm not pregnant. The tumor was in the cerebellum, the occipital lobe, and the venous sinus, which have nothing to do with controlling hormones. I'm still taking pain killers and also sleeping pills at night. I was on steroids only for 2 days after the surgery.

In the previous thread, one lady mentioned her cycle was messed up after the surgery, so I thought perhaps it's common enough? I Googled but the results were mostly about breast cancer. Yes, I could ask my surgeon, but I had a surgery overseas, and they don't seem to have much post-op info. I have good-sized fibroids in the uterus and I wonder if I should go see an OBGYN soon. My next OBGYN appt is in Nov, so I prefer not to go till then since I have shitty insurance. Thanks in advance!

[u/Left_Set_5610]

I don’t know if it’s the medication, my oncology pharmacist says it’s not. But I have been irregularly spotting since. I had my surgery at the end of May this year.

I got my period the day after surgery which came early—probably from stress—and was miserable. Especially because it was just me and two older men in the ICU only divided by curtains.

I am going to the OBGYN next month because I want to check up on everything.

[u/e1encia → u/Left_Set_5610]

Ugh sucks to have a period when you have to share a room with guys! In your case, spotting started after the surgery so probably it's different, but when I told about spotting to OBGYN last month at the routine checkup, they did a pap smear on the endometrium in addition to the cervix. If it doesn't stop after 6 months or so, something to think about. FYI, I had spotting even before the surgery.
Thanks for sharing your experience :) Hope you feel better soon!

[u/Diligent-Summer-7662]

I had it the day before the surgery 😅 so it caught me during the surgery too. The surgery didn't affect it, but my period was affected after 2 months, due to a medication - it was 32 days late. but that's it. It came back later and everything is ok

[u/Electrical-Egg-2319]

No change in cycle for me, but I only had painkillers after the surgery, no steroids

[u/Pewpew-OuttaMyWaay]

[pituitary tumour acting as a chordoma]: Mine was always super light before - nothing some months. A breeze, I had it good. After surgery, it felt like getting the pipes/plumbing going properly again in an old house (clunky, painful etc) and was super heavy/painful and regular until peri

[u/femininerage]

I had the a tumor in the same spot. Didn’t have a menstrual cycle for 3 months and then it came back. Never asked my doctor why but it went back to normal so I’m just going to say my body knew I needed a break 😅

[u/Lopsided_Drink_2313]

I was at the end of menstruation when I went in for surgery. This cued the...can I get the mess undies and a pad please.

I could not remember how my cycle was. I checked my fit but tracker and I have them logged a little late (by a few days). Then randomly seemed to skip and after that my cycle shorted. My first periods were glorious. Figured I was getting hormonal migraines due to increased head pressure etc. and was free from them. Then about 4 months later. They came on in full force and are back.

Tumor in cerebellum. I know like you said no where near hormone centers but I honestly feel like surgery has done something with my female hormones. (Steroids only 3 days). Some days I don't know if I am just not hacking being a woman or if it is just still being patient with recovery.

[u/e1encia]

Thank you, ladies! It's good to know that I'm not alone and the delayed period is probably because of the surgery. I feel better now :) I wish doctors collected this kind of info a bit more.

[u/PlusNatural7902]

Hi! This was a good question! I had a brain surgery for an AVM in the frontal lobe. My period just ended right before surgery . I believe it didn’t come back until 2 months after. It was a stressful time and lots of medications.