post menopausal bleeding 5 weeks after cortisone injections

I'm 58 and postmenopausal for 8 years with no periods and no problems. Lucky me, so I thought! Then went for a steroid jag for a 'frozen' shoulder 2 weeks ago and lo and behold, I started bleeding for the first time in 8 years! This was a full on bleed that is getting worse. I promptly went to my GP who prescribed Tranexamic Acid to 'stem the flow' and is now referring me to the Gynae clinic. However, in a passing remark she hinted that the steroid jag might be a causative effect but thought that a 2 week lapse between the two, was too long. I think she might be wrong having red these posts. I actually feel a bit relieved now, having read all the above.

On 30/1/17, I had 2 cortisone injections, one in my R shoulder and one in my R hip. 2 weeks later, without warning or discomfort, I started bleeding heavily in the middle of the night, it was bright red and several clots came away. I am 64 and my last period was 18 years ago. I was examined by ultrasound, internally and externally 27/2/2017 by a consultant in the Oncology department, to which nothing was found and I have been given the All Clear. My intuition told me that the cortisone was the cause, but medical practitioners here in the UK don't know and don't want to know, even though my blood loss was Life Threatening.

Following ultrasound. Only one of my ovaries could be found. As we age internal organs shrink and shrivel, making the missing ovary harder to detect.

Shanistone. I think we are sisters from another mother. I Just had a steriod shot on March 2. I have all the same symtoms. I haven't had a period for 18 years and went throughh early menopause (42) which also we due to my hypo-thyrodism. As I just talked to a urgent care nurse. She mentions that this could be a side effect of that shot. I am becoming more convinced that it is.

I have continued bleeding for 9 months after an injection. I had went two years without a period I am not amused. My sister is 70 and still bleeding because of them.

I have just printed these out in readiness to take with me when I get my appointment . Without warning this morning I was absolutely stunned to find I could see blood following 8 years without a period and I am nearly 61. I too have had a steroid nerve block just over 2 weeks ago. Being a born worrier, to say I have buried myself is an understatement. The GP said it would not be linked to the injection and that whilst there may be nothing wrong i need to be seen within the next 10 days to rule out anything serious. I am not looking forward to tests( Fortunately I have just had a clear smear test- but you hear so much about ovarian cancer). Fingers crossed that my experience will be due to something less serious and I find some comfort from these posts.

Hoping that your situation is the same as mine was... in my case, it was ALL due to steroid nerve block... will never have another one! My Gyn of over 20 years told me had a number of other patients also report to him about having had a steroid shot before the 'abnormal bleeding during menopause' began... he said he cannot tell them it is from the shot, because he has to make sure they gets the tests, anyway....

My results were that I grew a 10mm (1cm) thick endometrium from one shot~! That's thicker than a normal pre-menopausal woman! Took months for the bleeding to stop.

Gyn Doc told me if I got another steroid shot and it happened again, I would need to go through all of the worry and tests again...
Was an easy decision to never get the steroid nerve block shot again! rather have some pain versus fear of cancer...
Best wishes to you~!

Went to have checked out last Wednesday-5 days after bleed started. To be fair- the response was fast. Had internal scan and an attempt at a biopsy. Like you, they found thickening of the lining in the womb. As the entrance to the womb was too narrow to insert the instrument, I have to go back next week for a hysteroscopy. Really not looking forward to it, Advised to eat before it and take co codomol. Happy days- not. Frightened to jinx myself but I look to have stopped bleeding after 8 days. She also said could be link to shot but have to err on side of caution.

It's bad enough being concerned about the reasons you are having the shot without all this. I was so terrified it was cancer - I lost nearly 7 half stone in as many days. The reason for the shot was for diagnostic reasons as much as pain relief. I have been advised that ultimately I may have to have a spinal fusion and this on top of being on the waiting list for a knee replacement. Then this. May as well put me out to pasture now.

Still, I think she said my ovaries ok and I must say this was foremost in my mind and a huge relief they appear alright. There is some other positive to be had from the experience. Ironically, at the same time the bleeding started, the steroid seemed to work and both my back and mainly the arthritic knee pain seemed to subside. Where I couldn't get up from the floor, I was less still and more flexible and able to bend again. I am trying to get some light pilates exercise done- as the physio said -'use this window'.

However, I agree - I won't have this shot again unless I am at my absolute wits end.

Thanks for you response- makes me feel more reassured that there can be other causes than the
one that immediately springs to mind- not counting my chickens just yet. I still have to get past next week.
Such a shock seeing blood after nearly 9 years. Thankful I found this discussion thread.

I'm just stepping in here for a minute. I'm 71, closer to 72 and Egan spotting after my 4th heel cortisone shot. I had a sneaky feeling it could be that but it made no sense. I spotted for 2 weeks and called gym. Had a painful exam by a dr filling in for my regular gal who was on maternity leave, then an ultrasound, followed by an excruciating biopsy! I'm waiting for the results but since reading all this, I'm not so worried. Cautiously optimistic. The last shot was 6weeks ago and the spotting is hardly there. In fact, I have to "poke" with the toilet paper to see a slight pink, if any! Keeping fingers crossed (feet too!) and hope for the best.

I'm just on my way for a hysteroscopy and biopsy today 1.30. To say I'm absolutely dreading it would be a gross understatement. I saw for 8 days and like you at the end had to 'poke ' with paper. Had cramps whilst it lasted but those gone now too.
Well let's get on with the show. Just took some co cocodomol as advised and hope that will take the edge off. A colleague told me to expect it to be like stage 3 labour pains - ouch!!!!

Just back home and I found the hysteroscopy and biopsy nothing as bad as I had envisaged- just a little uncomfortable- not like labour at all . Took cocodomol 1 hour before and some deep breaths - it doesn't take long . Found a fibroid which doesn't need anything doing to unless it becomes bothersome. I will wait two weeks for results of biopsy. Although last week she said her check had shown thicker womb lining than they like- today the camera showed the lining is 'nice and thin' which still makes me think the steroid injection brought on a type of period. Still I feel that now I have had my smear, mammogram and this, I have had a full MOT. Fingers crossed biopsy will come back ok. Thanks to this site for being so supportive and hope my post will give some reassurance to other women in a similar position.

Had results and like most on this site- thank goodness it was clear. On another positive note, I feel I have had a health check that I had not envisaged but that has inadvertently given me peace of mind.

Yeah Internet!
I too am spotting, sometimes a little heavy.
Never had this after one shot in the thumb, but had two shots recently.
So looks like a dosage side effect.
Steroids make you grumpy...so a period shouldn't be far behind :)
Thanks for taking the time to post...helps us all.

Hi momgaz176495 -
Last February 2017 I had a cortisone injection to my left shoulder. 5 days later I started spotting that progressed to a med to heavy flow. I am 59. I called my Dr. and she said that post menopausal bleeding is cause for grave concern as it can mean cancer. This was quite upsetting of course. Then after two weeks of bleeding and much anxiety it slowed to light spotting and quit. I had a vaginal ultrasound that indicated nothing alarming other than a thickening of my uterine lining. My Dr. said the next procedure would need to be a biopsy to rule out cancer. In the mean time my shoulder pain, still ever present, required another injection. 5 days later I started spotting again and went into another mild to heavy vaginal bleeding. It was quite like having a period with cramps and bloating all the usual. But, I have not had a period for two years. I called my Dr. again and asked her to schedule the biopsy. I was researching online and found that some women had blogged here and there about their experiencing vaginal bleeding after receiving a joint injection. My Dr. is skeptical that this could be a side effect of the cortisone injection to my shoulder. The biopsy was negative for cancer and I am ok. I will never get another joint injection for my shoulder or any other joint pain again. EVER. I really believe this caused the post menopausal bleeding in both instances. I have not had one again and the bleeding has stopped and I feel fine except for my usual chronic joint pain. I hope more women will share their similar experiences. I hope that Doctors will start looking into this possibly being a side effect of receiving joint injections.
-jewely

Last February 2017 I had a cortisone injection to my left shoulder. 5 days later I started spotting that progressed to a med to heavy flow. I am 59. I called my Dr. and she said that post menopausal bleeding is cause for grave concern as it can mean cancer. This was quite upsetting of course. Then after two weeks of bleeding and much anxiety it slowed to light spotting and quit. I had a vaginal ultrasound that indicated nothing alarming other than a thickening of my uterine lining. My Dr. said the next procedure would need to be a biopsy to rule out cancer. In the mean time my shoulder pain, still ever present, required another injection. 5 days later I started spotting again and went into another mild to heavy vaginal bleeding. It was quite like having a period with cramps and bloating all the usual. But, I have not had a period for two years. I called my Dr. again and asked her to schedule the biopsy. I was researching online and found that some women had blogged here and there about their experiencing vaginal bleeding after receiving a joint injection. My Dr. is skeptical that this could be a side effect of the cortisone injection to my shoulder. The biopsy was negative for cancer and I am ok. I will never get another joint injection for my shoulder or any other joint pain again. EVER. I really believe this caused the post menopausal bleeding in both instances. I have not had one again and the bleeding has stopped and I feel fine except for my usual chronic joint pain. I hope more women will share their similar experiences. I hope that Doctors will start looking into this possibly being a side effect of receiving joint injections.
-jewely