Epidural Steroid Injections and missed period

hi I am due to have an epidural in two days time for back pain but started my period is it ok to have epidural still please ??

As a nurse who also has had to get epidural steroid injections for a herniated disc, I would recommend you get a 2nd opinion if you are being treated by a physician that does epidural steroid injections monthly. This goes against the recommendation of multiple spine surgeons as well as anesthesiologist (who are the physicians qualified to give the injections). It is not recommended that a steroid injection be given in any area more than 3 times annually. Occasionally, 4 times a year depending on the dosage being given.

Really pleased to find this,been so worried I had my epidural a month ago and since the 13thbof November I've been on.it stopped for a few days,but seems to be stating all over again for the 3rd time now!! My consultant said that he's never heard if the correlation between periods and epidurals.Wanting to book a doctors appointment,but have a feeling they aren't going to offer me any reassurance.

Orthos and Pain Mgmt Drs are not Endocronologists nor Internists. They are trained to treat your inflamation or pain rather than your endocrine system. Steroids can alter any and all hormone functions of your H-P-A axis, which means it can effect sleep, metabolism, temperature, cognition, energy level, etc. Glucocortocoids can induce hypo/hyperthyroid symptoms (weight gain/loss, insomnia/hypersomnia, intolerance to heat/cold, heart palpitations/ slow heart rate, anxiety & depression/agitation & aggression), hypo/hyperpituitary symptoms (estrogen/progesterone/LH dysfunction, excessive/ absent bleeding, body termperature dysregulation), adrenal hypo/hyper function (no energy/ excessive energy, poor/ excessive muscle activity, eye dysfunction,etc).
Women who do not have these issues may experience them for the first time (if so you now unfortunately know what it is like to have PCOS, hyper/hypothyroidism, Cushing's, medically induced menopause, or any of a huge list of hormone imbalances that effect your brain and other hormone secreting glands/organs). Typically these issues resolve in the coming months.
If your pain exceeds your concern for potential complications, then limited (NOT long term) steroid use can be incredibly beneficial.
Folks with pre-existing endocrine issues should review pros and cons with their endo or internist before this type of treatment, just to be safe, as they do not always happen for everyone.
As pain management medicine improves and more of the female population seek relief from pain (rather than just tuffing it out as in generations past), there will continue to be an increase of patients who experience side effects and DRs will become more familiar with them, but don't them insinuate your side effects experiences are abnormal or are not possible. Educate yourself about your body, know the risks before any treatment, and don't rely on DRs to have ALL the answers for you, they are just people after all. The better you prepare for your review of potential treatments with your DR, the more you can target the BEST treatment that meets your needs, and THEY might learn something from you.

Hi I'm a little scared right now cuz I had an epidural December 19th to my neck then I had another episode January 9th for my lower back and since then I've had a period for about 30 days is that normal??? It's not a heavy flow but it's there

If you do not have extended and excessive bleeding as a normal part of your periods, then it is abnormal for you. If it is too disruptive and you want relief from excessive bleeding (or possibly the oppisite when you have injections) followup with your gyno or an endocrinologist.
Your gyno will most likely want to do labs and an ultrasound to confirm there are no contributing abnormalities before prescribing a course of short term hormones to reduce the bleeding. Keep in mind this can range from a few doses, a month of birth control pills, or more drastically a shot that can halt your pituitary from signaling your ovaries from releasing eggs temporarily. All these treatments carry their own risks and complications, which is why some gynos prefer the watch and waiti game. But if you feel waiting for the bleeding to stop on its own is not right for you, then see your gyno/ endo for treatment to get a jump on it.

Hi, I have had 9 shots now within a year and 3 months. Suddenly after my first shot in Jan. 15' my period stopped. And has never come back. The pain doc. blows me off and so does my primary...thinking it's no big deal. I recently found out I'm allergic to cortisone, so who knows what's going on really?

I had one last month and I completely missed a period in march. It's now april 17th and I just got it and it's the worst period I've ever had. The pain actually rivals labor and I'm bleeding way more than I normally do.

How long did it take for your cycle to come on?

I would stop getting epidural shots if I were you. There are better solutions out there. Ask you doctor about radio frequency ablation. That is suppose to last longer and I bet you won't miss your periods or gain all of that weight.

I have had two epidural injections now - am on birth control - and am now 3 days late? In reading through this forum I see where others have also missed their period while receiving these injections and also being on birth control? Do the cycles become normal again after you stop receiving the injections? This is the most bizarre thing?

I skipped an entire month after getting my injections. My next period was super painful and heavy but I wasnt on birth control. They're now back to normal and I got them done in march. The nurses all claimed it wasnt a side effect but too many women have the same issue after injections to not be a side effect

Thank you for your reply. :) I would assume being it messes with the menstrual cycle / hormones - whether on birth control or not it can just mess us up no matter what. :( I hate that your next cycle was so horrible....my last injection is next Friday. Though they have helped with the pain from the bulging discs, I can't believe how doctors don't know this is a side effect. Ya know? With it happening to so many of us. :(

I experience this from the minute my first injection stopped my period right in the middle. Never had a period since, my last epi was last fall...I'm only 46. Anybody know what that is about?

Yes, I agree they work really good. Just make DARN SURE you have a good doctor and Trust him, or it can kill a nerve Permanently! And maybe not the one he/she wants ablated! Just sayin, be careful.