can methotrexate effect your menstrual cycle?

iluvhobbits

Hi,
I have a 15 year old daughter who has had JIA for the past 14 years. She takes methotrexate 17.5mg by injection once a week. Her periods have been very frequent recently, stopping and starting all over the place which is starting to get her down. Can methotrexate effect your menstrual cycle or is it more likely to be the fact that her body hasn't developed a regular cycle yet?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

maria09

Hi
Just looked it up and yes it can do
It's all in the patient leaflet that comes in the drug box
I hope you daughter is doing well on the drug
Maria

helpline_team

Dear iluvhobbits,

Thank you for your enquiry to Helplines. I've had a look at our information collection and can't find you a straight answer I'm afraid. Would you be able to discuss this with someone medically qualified such as the rheumatology specialist nurse? If you'd like us to do an information search please let us know and I'll ask our information officer to look for you.

I'm attaching a link to information on methotrexate for you http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/drugs/methotrexate.aspx

I hope that is helpful

Guy

iluvhobbits

Hi,
Thanks for your replies, I have taken my daughter to see our GP this afternoon who has prescribed some tablets to hopefully get her cycle back on track, he did look in his drug book and said it does state that Methotrexate can cause 'Menstrual disturbances!' but it could just be the fact that she hasn't got into a regular pattern yet.
I have also E Mailed her Rheumatology Nurse Specialist to keep her informed and to ask if she has come across this problem before in teenage girls who take Methotrexate.
Hopefully the tablets will do the trick.
Thank you,
Iluvhobbits