cortisone injections

I've had a similar body response to the cortizone shot I had received for my eczema outbreak- my enstral pd is three weeks late. As my husband had a vasectomy two and a half years ago and I've never been unfaithful to him in any way (in addition to being irregular), however week three was putting all the failed vasectomy stories to the forefront of my mind. Although still slightly alarming, it is reassuring to know I'm not alone & the cortisone shot may still be to blame. Thanks!

I am glad I found this post as well! I had a cortisone shot in August the last day of my period. About 2 weeks later I started spotting and the spotting lasted about 14 days. Then it stopped for a couple weeks and I got what I thought was finally a normal period. That lasted 6 days. Then 8 days later, here I am getting another heavy period! My doctor told me AFTER he had given me the cortisone shot in each knee, that 3 patients this year reported having irregular menstrual bleeding after having the shots. If I had know before I had them, that I would be going through all this.. I would never had got the shots. I will never get them again. Right after the shots my knees started to hurt worse then ever and that pain lasted 3 days. The shots helped with the pain but only for about a month. Now, I am dealing with the side effects of pms, mood swings, and bleeding. So frustrating. Just want to get back to my normal cycle! Hoping that this bleeding will go away soon.

Most definitely - a cortisone injection may change your hormonal levels, and lead to irregular bleeding, my GYN knew it right off the bat.
I can't believe other GYN's don't know this!

Although I am having irregular bleeding after a cort. shot, she is still having me do a couple of tests to rule any other issues out. Particularly because I have a ovarian cyst. Better safe than sorry, it's not a nuisance to me!

I too, have always had a very regular cycle, every 24-28 days max, until this past week!! I ended my period and a week later started bleeding excessively, worse than ever with no end in sight. I called my Dr. and went to see him for an utltrasound. While undergoing ultrasound, and finding that everything was ok, my Dr. asked me if I had any injections recently?! Weird, I thought. I had, though. I had an injection in my hip three weeks ago. He immediately said that was my problem. He has put me on Provera for 7 days to stop the bleeding and this should start my cycle over within 10 days of stopping. This wouldn't be the solution if you aren't bleeding heavy like I am, as I'm going through an "ULTRA" sized tampon every hour (I'll be dead in a week, if I keep this up!!! LOL)

Side note: I am 40, so they did check my hormone levels to be sure that I wasn't menopausal, I'm NOT.

I am continued bleeding after taking a cortisone shot for shoulder pain and its been going on for almost 3 weeks. never had irregular/long bleeding before. I WILL NOT take cortisone again!

I had a Cervical Epiduarl Steriod Injection (CESI) in December for my neck and everything was normal. I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder at the beginning of February and 3 days later, I started spotting. This went on for a few weeks and I became nervous so I went to see a NP in my OB/GYN office. I told her that I thought the Cortisone shot had caused the spotting, she said no and that my hormones were just out of whack and gave me Provera for 10 days. Well...2 days after I stopped taking Provera the spotting started up again. I am seriously convinced the Cortisone shot has caused this...I just want to know when it will stop!

I have had regular periods my whole life, and I missed my period after I got a cortisone shot in my right shoulder. My right breast is also tender and swollen, and I am extremely irascible. I think it must be related to the cortisone shot, but the doctor didn't say anything about this side effect.

issara

I had a cortisol injection in both my knees at new year and then had bleeding every two weeks for about three months. My cycle then started to gradually get back to normal but it took 6 months for me to get my normal periods again and ovulate. My advice would be just be patient with it and try to relax because it does get better. Also alot of doctors dont believe there is a link between the two but i know there definately is. I'm never having steroid injections ever again and think docs should be informing patients of the potential side effects before we agree to have it.

After reading this, my instincts were correct! I've had the same side effects many of you have posted! I'm 46 with a completely normal and always regular cycle. I was given a cortisone injection in my hip, two days or so later my period started and hasn't stopped. So far my period has been going for nearly 3 weeks. I thought perhaps I was beginning peri-menopause but now, thanks to the other posts it sounds like a fairly common reaction to the hormones in the injection?! Thank you for your posts but when will this stop!!!

I just posted this response on another thread about cortisone affecting menstrual cycles. I was having with my menstrual cycle and ovulation following a cortisone injection into my lumbar spine. I wanted to give everyone an update as the whole time I was going through this... I was desperately searching for answers as to when/if this would ever end. I had a 13 day period with a normal cycle time, followed by an 11 day period, a 1 day break, and another 24 days of bleeding. (I call it my 36 day period). I was anemic, tired, frustrated... just pissed off in general. I promised myself that I would come back and post about this all finally ending when it finally did. So here I am! 

Good lord. I'm glad I found this - this has been frustrating! I've been recieving Cortisone and Marcaine injections for three weeks now - first I was two weeks late. Hot flashes started... Not pregnant.

Then I started spotting in week two... And after week three, it's been constant - and !$&%ing painful! I'm exhausted and frustrated - with three more weeks of Cortisone to go.

At least I know I'm not falling apart and other people are experiencing it too. Thanks for posting this thread up! It's been helpful.

Wow, I'm so happy I came across this. I received several cortisone/steroid injections for a rash on my leg. 10 days after my period (and I'm on birth control) I started bleeding. I thought I was pregnant! After a negative pregnancy test and a minor heart attack, I started doing my own research and can't believe Doctors aren't telling us before the injections about the potential menstral cycle changes. I am still bleeding (it's been 10 days) and can't believe it looks like it will be a month or two before I return to normal. Very frustrating.

While I think its pretty clear, after reading all of these posts, that steroid injections cause menstral cycle issues, I still feel its important to post my experience as well. Especially since Drs are failing to mention this very important side effect.

I am 31, have very normal periods and paps.  I am one of those lucky people with a 3-4 day light period.  I am not on birth control. 

I have two bulging discs in my lumbar.  I had an injection on 9/1/11.  My doc did not mention menstral cycle issues as a side effect. 

1 week after the injection, I started spotting.  Some days heavy brown, some days barely there, but I spotted for about 3 weeks which never resulted in a full period.  This stopped for about a week and then started again until October 9th when an actual period started, but this period was 6 days long and extremely heavy.  After this period the spotting stopped and I thought I was back to normal.  Given how messed up it had been in Sept and Oct, I guestimated that my period would start on Nov 5. 

4 days before this saturday (nov 5th) I started spotting again, with more intensity each day.  Now its monday and still no period, just more weird spotting.  I have no clue when my real period is supposed to start or if I am still ovulating (my husband and I are trying to concieve.)  I saw one person post that it took her 6 months to get back to normal.  Does anyone else have insight on how long it took for them to get back to normal?  I just think it would be interesting although I am sure every person is different. 

Btw, I did mention this to the dr. that ordered the injection at my two week follow up visit.  She said that its a very rare side effect, that is why they dont mention it and she did mention its has been known to bring menopausal women out of menopause... so for those of you who have experienced this... my dr confirmed it as a side effect.

NOTE: the injection did nothing for the pain, in fact, it made it worse for about a month. 

So happy to see your post.  In December I was diagnosed with a large disc herniation (L4-L5) with nerve root compression causing my entire left shin and foot to feel numb.  Having had issues with this area in the past and knowing the doctor knew the history and had successfully administered cortisone before, we decided to go ahead with the injections.  A week after my 1st injection I had dark heavy spotting, but no "real flow".  A week and a half ago it got very heavy, but no clots, which I usually have.  My concern - scary as anything - is that when the flow got heavier I started getting severe pain right in my sternum.  It comes out of nowhere and mimics what I assume would feel like a heart attack.  I am already on muscle relaxers due to the disc hernia and attributed the fact that  that my cramps werent bad to the fact I was on the MRs.  So, yesterday, I went for shot #2 and mentioned this and he told me he wants me to see the OB-GYN to rule out anything.  He said cortisone shots usually cause the opposite in that you may miss a period.  Can't wait to see the after effects after yesterday's shot.  Did you aver get chest pain.  I made an appt. with my OB-GYN but is only for the 24th.  I do believe my MRI of lumbar spine had a couple frames where you could see my uterus with big black circles (fibroid tumors?).  I am 39 and am a type I diabetic (insulin-dependent) - never had children.  Appreciate any feedback - hope you are doing better with all aspects!    

I have had 2 cortisone shots for a neck pinched nerve. I started bleeding after 13 yrs with no periods. I am set for a ultra sound and biopsy. Bleeding has stopped today. thanks for your info. Don't know if I should continue with ultra sound or just wait.