Welcome to Cancer Chat Hannah although I'm sorry about the pains you've been experiencing recently.

Hopefully some of our members will share their thoughts and experiences with you soon but if you'd like to have a quick chat about the side effects of Tamoxifen with one of our lovely cancer nurses then they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

I hope you're not waiting too long for your scan and you're able to get some answers soon.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hey Haanah - I just googled to find out the exact same thing. My guts are killing me! I've been on tamoxifen about 6 weeks. Doesn't seem too bad but this ongoing ovulation pain (5 days now!) is a bit of a drag. Some nausea on waking up - like morning sickness - and some night sweats too.

Hi Hannah, 

I just read your post from November as I was searching for information about ovulation pain on tamoxifen. I too have been taking tamoxifen for about 18months and from the first month I started to notice pain/ discomfort around ovulation time. It lasts for a few days and then goes. It has got increasingly worse the past few months and strangely a few months ago my periods stopped completely for 2 months but then started again. I decided to check this out with my doctor today who has said they want to examine me tomorrow and take bloods. I'm now stressing I should not have left it so long. 
 

Apologies for all the details but I wondered if you had any info for me as it sounds like you were suffering with similar symptoms a few months back

kind regards Clare 

Hi Clare

my breast consultant was concerned about the pain and heavy periods so I had a transvaginal scan, which revealed an ovarian cyst and some uterine thickening. I then had a hysteroscopy and they took a biopsy. Biopsy results back today and they are normal. My periods have returned to normal but I still get the pelvic discomfort, heaviness, sharp pain on both sides. I've decided to assume it's tamoxifen/peri menopause and crack on with life. Recently got a puppy so he, in addition to 3 kids, will hopefully keep me distracted from worrying about my pelvic pain. Good luck with your appointment, let me know how you get on, Hannah x

Hi Hannah, 

Thanks for the reply that's helpful to know. I'm so pleased your results were ok. 
I'm hoping it can't be anything too suspicious as I've had the pains since the first month. It probably doesn't help having all this time at home to dwell on things. I gave up work at Christmas after 21 years in the same job but decided I needed a break. Wasn't quite banking on a lockdown. 
 

take care Clare

Hi Hannah, I saw your post and felt I needed to sign up to reply as I too have the same issue. I started on tamoxifen in February 2020 and have experienced this pain from the start which is always two weeks after my period. I concluded it must be when I am ovulating as it's always the same time without fail. My pelvic area is sore to touch and it throbs for days mildly before reaching a peak and then disappearing. It is very uncomfortable when it's at its peak and sometimes I have to take pain killers. I was not worried as it began as soon as I took tamoxifen but obviously I wanted to make sure it wasn't serious. Doctors sent me for a transvaginal scan and it does all look totally normal . So we conclude that it is the tablets changing things in my body and I will just put up with it. However in view of people getting cysts while on this medication I will still ask for regular scans . Hope this helps that there are others ... it was good for me to read I am not alone with this intermittent pain .