post menopausal bleeding 5 weeks after cortisone injections

Oh, you can't believe what relief I feel as I read this. I am in my late 60's and haven't had a period in over 20 years. Two and half weeks ago, I had cortisone injection therapy in my upper back.  A week later, I had my scheduled colonoscopy with clean and clear results bit was really pumped full of air in my abdomen. Two days later I had an extremely stressful and unusual day. That evening I started spotting and it quickly progressed to bright red. I immediately called my gyno, who saw me last week. He did a biopsy and I am scheduled for a D&C. He dismissed the stress as a cause. I haven't heard any results of the biopsy, but because I had breast cancer over 10 years ago, I have been very worried. It has been a week and I am still bleeding bright red with clots. Reading these postings, has lifted a weight off my shoulders.  I know that my results may not be so good as others, but it sure is looking better to me now!!! Thank you to each for posting your experience.

My period was very light and lasted 6 days which was my normal when I had periods. I'm glad it's over but I'm having more shots in my neck so now I'll be prepared for Aunt Flo! lol

6 months ago, after 13 years of menapause (caused by breast cancer treatment) I experienced a period that lasted a week.  I made an appointment with my gyn, and worried until the date of my appointment.   The last thing I wanted was more surgery, more cancer treatment, etc.   My gyn discussed the usual "drill", D&C, biopsy and possibly hysterectomy, just as I had expected.  And then I happened to mention that I had had shoulder surgery a few months earlier.  She asked "you haven't had a cortisone shot recently?"  Yes, I had, 2 weeks earlier! She described the possible correlation of the bleeding to the cortisone shot.  We decided to wait and see.  Six months later, I have had no further symptoms and I am most grateful to my gyn.   As an aside, the cortisone shot did not help my shoulder, either.

 

I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder about 1 1/2 -  2 weeks ago and a few days ago felt crampy and started spotting.  It felt like a very light period, which surprised and shocked me because I am about a year and a half into menopause.  I saw my gyno today, she says it does indeed appear to be a light period but to be safe is having a vaginal ultrasound and a biopsy done.  I asked her about the cortisone shot and she said I am not by far her first patient to ask that and that yes it could very well be because of the shot.

So glad I found this site! A week post injections at L4/L5 I started spotting. I'm 3 years post menopausal. My doctor said it couldn't possibly be from the injection. I now firmly beleive it is from the injections. I've been spotting, some days nearly a light period, with some clots for over 3 weeks. How long have others had the spotting/period? I'm going to refer my doctor to this website.

I am 54 and have been in menoause for about 3 years now.  I too had three shots to the lower lumbar to relieve pain from a herniated disc and I too started my period (heavily now for 6 days).  I am thankful to have found this site.  Is there a medical explanation for this?  How long will this period last?

I have been post menopausal for about 15years. Last month I had facet injections of anaesethic and steroids in  C5/6 and C2. Almost instant relief in my shoulder which has been painful for over 12 years.  Now almost a month later, I have had 7 days of very heavy bleeding whic has now stopped. Have had blood tests which show high white cells, which could be from the steroids, and have had a recent pap smear which was clear and now a vaginal ultra sound which is also clear. Within the next month I am to undergo a D&C and check what is going on inside. My gyn does not think the steroids are to blame. He just laughed when I told him that 'Dr Google and I' had worked it out and that there is not going to be any cancer and in fact it will have been the steroids. I am not worried at all so hopefully the outcome will be that everything will be fine and the doctor might have a more open mind next time.

I had two cortisone injections in my neck about two months ago and this month I ovulated, my breasts were very tender and I am having a very light "period". I have NOT had any menstral periods in two years so this was rather alarming. I am going in for an ultrasoud and exam next week but after reading the information about the relationship between the injections and bleeding I'm thinking this could be WHY I'm bleeding?? The doctor who gave me the cortisone injections did not tell me this would be a "side effect"!

 

I, too, had postmenopausal bleeding (as much blood as my prior periods) 10 days after a cortisone shot in my right thumb.   It lasted 8 days. I had a pelvic exam, blood test and ultrasound and all came back normal.  I am very against having a biopsy knowing how painful it is and after reading these posts, do not feel it necessary. I actually canceled a gynecological exam today.  Why do these doctors not understand that cortisone shots can indeed be the culprit?  Did anyone find a reputable study on the subject?  I really want answers.  Where could someone find information on this topic?  Please help.

Hello
My orthopedic surgeon wanted me to have cortisone again in my knee prior to Knee replacement scheduled in the next six months as i have been in agony . As ive had post menopausal bleeding twice now after cortisone and gone through all the procedure for precautions for example getting tablets off doctor to stop the heavy bleeding then a rapid response appointment with the gynecological dept and all that painful stuff with biopsy just to be on the safe side which i dont blame them they have to make sure but like you say no one seems to have picked up on it . I refused the injection and contacted St Marys in Manchester and explained to the senior practice nurse and told her to look at the site and she has done and she is very interested in the findings and there are some researchers there at the moment so she is going to pass the information on , meanwhile i prefer to be in agony with my knee than go through all that again .

Verrrry interrresting . . . I had gone 8 months without a period, had experienced a few weeks of hot flashes a month or so after the last period, eyebrows started thinning-- all the normal menopausal stuff (I'm 50), and it seemed to be going very smoothly. Yesterday I had a cortisone injection in my foot for achilles bursitis. This morning, I noticed that my face had the nice, even tone and clearer eyes that I used to get just before starting my period. I thought it was odd. A few hours later, I started bleeding.

I had no intentions of going to the doctor, because in my experience they order tests like they're giving out gumballs, and will poke and prod you to death, and run you all over creation to various appointments. In some ways, internet info like this is out ahead of the doctors' knowledge, anyway. Interesting to hear your stories!

See the recently published study in the American Journal of Ob/Gyn, titled "Abnormal vaginal bleeding after epidural steroid injection." Finally, proof that steroid (cortisone) shots do cause abnormal bleeding!

hi i had steroid injection 3 weels later a period . I am 48 and post meopausal since 41 yrs on HRT . it lasted 5 days . it seems to be returning again .....

I am 62 and postmenopausal. About 4 1/2 weeks ago I had my annual pap which came back normal. A week later I got a steroid shot in my wrist for arthritis pain. 6 days after the steroid shot I started spotting and by day 7 started bleeding bright red. I immediately called my Dr.. he told me this was not normal and scheduled for me to come in and see him the next day. After I got off the phone with my Dr., I immediately went on line to do my research and I am so thankful for finding this site. After reading some of the posts I felt a lot better but was still very worried especially after the Dr. said this was not normal. However, I went to my appointment and I told the Dr. my story and about the posts I read. I asked him if the steroid shot could be the cause, at first he said he had never heard any such thing before and thought it was highly unlikely, so I referred him to the website and after reading some of the posts was surprised and thanked me for education him. He insisted though that I do a biopsy or ultrasound just to be sure everything was ok. I chose the ultrasound of course and the results came back showing my uterus lining had thickened about a 1. That scared the life out of me. My Dr. still wanted to do a biopsy just to be sure. The biopsy results came back today and everything was normal. I cannot tell you how stressful the past few weeks have been, I thought the worse especially after the ultrasound results and waiting for the biopsy results was the worse, I lost sleep, cried, lost my appetite just felt so depressed. The bleeding has since stopped but had had a little spotting which could be from the biopsy.
My Dr. suggested I have this done again in about 6 months just as a follow-up. Hope you all have good end results as I have, and please no matter how painful the biopsy is just do it, it will shorten your stressful time.
GOOD LUCK LADIES

Thank you for posting the title of this study! My last period was 15 months ago and at my annual in June, my GYN pronounced me menopausal and told me any bleeding from then on should be considered abnormal. In July, I had two cortisone shots in my shoulder. Earlier this month, I noticed signs that seemed to indicate I might be ovulating, just like when I had a regular monthly cycle. I thought it was odd, but didn't give it too much thought. Sure enough, yesterday I started spotting and today, bleeding. I wasn't overly worried since I was checked out so recently, but it's nice to know that the cortisone shot may very well be to blame AND to have an actual study to show the GYN when I go for follow-up. (It'll be interesting to see how that goes; my longtime doctor retired in July and the new doctor looks like Doogie Howser to me. I wonder if he'll pooh-pooh what I say or actually listen.) I'm sure he'll want to test me six ways from Sunday, and that's okay, but most likely not necessary. Thank you all, ladies!