I am so glad to have found this! I'd had post-menopausal bleeding a few years back and nothing was found to be wrong, so it was put down to a natural hormonal "blip". A few weeks ago the same thing happened - this time about 8 years after menopause, (I am now 60). What I really feel could be relevant was that I'd also had a steroid injection a week before the bleeding, in my case to help flatten keloid scars and reduce their itching. I'd had a shot for the same thing a few weeks previously and asked for a higher dose this time as it did help. I was told there could be systemic effects although this one was not actually mentioned.
Of course I went to my doctor and was referred for the tests again. It did not go well as I was too tense with worry for them to insert the speculum and ultrasound probe properly. (It does not help that I have a phobia about cancer, have just had 2 years which have been personally distressing for a number of reasons, and I am doing a "cold turkey" withdrawal from paroxetine). I was then booked in to have the tests under anesthetic. This worried me as my thyroid gland is failing and my doctors are still trying to get my dose of thyroxine right. I had a pre-op. appointment. Basically, I lost it, said I couldn't face it without support from the mental health team, (an appointment with them is planned anyway), and, as my blood-pressure had gone right up and I was not considered in a fit mental state to consent to the procedure, I was sent home and told my own doctors would be consulted with a view to reducing my blood pressure and seeing the mental health team as a priority, then returning for the tests in a few weeks..
I was brassed off that any relevence of the steroid shot was dismissed, apart from a vague suggestin it may have had an effect of something pre-existing, and there was no cross-reference with the dermatology department where I'd had the cortisone. (I have my next appointment with them in a week; I will of course ask about this, and if there are any non-hormonal treatments they can provide. I will not have the cortisone again). It does not help that I have read that 60 is the average to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and this is more likely if, like me, you are over-weight and have never had a baby or taken the oral contraceptive! (Although of course the latter has been linked with other cancers in some studies, but that is another topic). I have been told, however, the chance of a malignancy is around 1 in 10, if that.
On the one hand, I have such a terror of cancer I hope the tests would give me peace of mind; on the other, my gut feeling is that this has been caused by the shot and I'd like to wait and see if there is any further bleeding. I must also mention it felt like a period; I have never had period pains, but the sort of cramps I got felt like I needed the toilet both ways at once, and I had this again.
I am also worried about a mis-diagnosis that could lead to needless surgery. As you can tell, I don't have great mental health in any case, and this has come at a really bad time for me, so I am a wreck!
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Soo glad I saw this, I had two shot in my L5 and now two weeks later I have cramps and vaginal bleeding. I have not had a period in 15 years. I am going to wait and get my pat smear in a later and not run to the doctor yet. You would think they would make you aware of this side effect from a cortizone injections. I have to be smart and still get my check up but I not going to get scared and worried yet. Thanks to all who poseted.
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Hi I had pelvic ultrasound after postmenopasal bleeding several weeks after cortisone in lumber area, which showed possible polyps in top of womb, scheduled for surgery next week. Will keep in touch.
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A month an 1/2 ago, I had an L5 both side epidural. One month after, I started with a 7 day period, cramps and all, I'm still bleeding with only a couple days of off, only light spotting. I'm supposed to have another epidural on the 27th of January, but am thinking of postponing it until this bleeding stops. I'm relunctant to contact my GYN because of all the unnecessary test that she will order. I wish I had know of this side affect first. How long does it take before the bleeding stops?
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So sorry you are feeling the anxiety of all what you are going through. I know how you feel. I was so scared before going in for my epidural for low back pain that my BP went up to 157, very high for me. The doctor was no at all compassionate, and told me that I just had to relax. Well that certainly doesn't work. I told him to have some compassion. Anyway I started bleeding 4 weeks after the injections, and it's been going on for 2 weeks now. I've been post-menopausal for 12 years. I'm supposed to have another on the 27, but think I'll postpone it. I'll inform the doctor of this situation, and he'll probably just tell me I'm nuts. I'm glad to have found these posts on the same subject. I don't feel so alone.
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Thanks so much for your kind words! I hope this problem is soon resolved for you, too. I also feel these tests are most likely unnecessary and, in a couple of year's time, this bleeding will be linked officially to the steroid shot! I am certain that it was the cause in my case - I am just concerned there might be a slight chance that it aggrevated a lesion already present, although I doubt it. I feel if there was a problem the bleeding would occur again soon without the shot and I would prefer to wait and see if this happens - it is only my phobia of cancer that prevents me from cancelling the tests, and I think the stress of feeling I am being put through this is likely more harmful to me in this instance. I could not bear to go back to the hospital where they tried to do the tests a few weeks back, so my doctor referred me to the one where I had the origional ones done a few years back. I spoke to the doctors and they thought it best if it is done under anaesthetic for me, so I agreed. I got the letter for the per-op. appointment and for being admitted the next day; I had a panic attack (even though I feel much more at ease at this hospital), and feel really down and just want this to be over. I also do not want to be put on a higher dose of blood-pressure pills, I've had my share of drug side-effects with the cortisone and the paroxetine!
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I will also say that I postponed my appontment with the dermatologist, and I wrote to them asking for details about the steroid shot, but have not yet had a reply.
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I am so happy I checked this web site. To read what so many women have experienced makes me feel so much better. I am about 9 years post menopausal and had a cortisone injection in my back about 3 weeks ago, a week ago I started spotting and its still continuing. I called my gyn yesterday and explained what was happening and I am scheduled for a sonogram on Tuesday. I asked the nurse if my shot could be the cause and when she called me back she said no. I am definitely printing out all this information for my doctor to see. I have no problem having any tests that I might need, but I feel such a relief because I believe this is the cause of the bleeding. Thank you,ladies, for sharing.
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I'm 68 had cortisone shot in lumbar spine on 16th January, on Saturday stared spotting. Last period in 1997. The episodes lead to ultrasound, biopsy and DnC. Last year had the same problem, the shots then a periods and then the tests. The oath Doc says steroids affect the pituitary gland which cause excess estrogen. I would really like an explanation. The problem is what we have to endure to make sure it is not cancer
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To update; I had the tests done under the anesthetic, (had the smear test done at the same time, as that was due), and, while I will sweat waiting for the results of this and the endometrial biopsy, they found no lesions and the endometrium looked normal, so they think all will be fine, The bleeding could have come from the vaginal lining which had thinned, (normal with age), but whatever the case I am convinced it was down to the steroids.Hope this helps you all!
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I am 40 years old and have had a series of injections due to herniated discs in my neck. Just recently I started bleeding and have been now for 2 weeks straight. My periods have always been normal about 3 days and now heavy bleeding for 2 weeks straight Im very concerned and am seeing a Dr. soon. but good to know what could be the cause.
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Well, they didn't even feel the need to do a biopsy as all looked so obviously o.k! And the smear was clear. So, I just need another check in a couple of months to ensure the tear has fully healed. I went to the dermatologist a couple of days before the hospital follow-up and he did say he had come across this post-menopausal bleeding in a couple of other cases, and was familiar with the disruption of the menstrual cycle which can happen in younger women. He agreed that my experience should be noted for future reference! Hope this helps.
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Just to add; the tear I mentioned was due to the speculum being inserted as the vaginal lining had thinned - this of course happens after menopause, (ugh, what a horrible word "menopause" is)! and I think the steroids could have aggrevated this a bit . Wasn't bothered about this; they just put in a couple of stitches while I was under!
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I am 63 and have not had a period for at least 10 years now....I have had a bit of spotting over the years, but I was checked out and the dr said it was because I was on a blood thinner...well 2 weeks ago I went for cortisone shots in my knees and low and behold I started spotting again about a week after the shots...it is the weirdest thing..I have had cramps and a little more than spotting at times so tomorrow I go to the obgyn I am kind of nervous, but I just want to get it over with....I am amazed that there are so many women with this problem, the dr that did the shots did tell me it may cause bleeding, but I didn't think it would be there...lol
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I have had two cortisone shots in my left hip over the last 4 months for severe osteoarthritis. I too had a light "period" about a week after the first shot. It resolved itself in a few days. My last shot was about 10 days ago and my "period" began again and currently has lasted about 5 days so far. I have been post menopausal for 10 years. These periods have come complete with bloating, headache ovary pain etc. I am getting a pap test done in two weeks but I am convinced that the bleeding must be related to the cortisone shots. I find it interesting that many health professionals state that there is no correlation between the shots and the periods yet there are many women that have had similar experiences.
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