post menopausal bleeding 5 weeks after cortisone injections

After a year and half without a period, starting menopause, I had a cortisone shot in my hand. 2 weeks later, I got my period with all that goes with it, cramps, gassy and bloating. I just had an endometriosis biopsy cause the doctor said this is abnormal. Just did say that a cortisone shot could trigger this but wants to be on the safe side. Haven't gotten the results, but good to hear there could be a reason for this. Gee and no hot flashes during the period.

I had the same thing happen to me; Twice! I took another shot just to be sure that's what it was; although, the first time I was glad that I went to my gyno because he did find some polyps. He wanted me to have a hysterectomy, because he swears the bleeding was associated with the polyps, which I was inclined to agree; until I went online and researched the cortisone shot because I haven't had a period in 4 years, and even though gyno found the polyps I had a gut feeling.... so many women have experienced the same exact thing; my pain management Dr. told me that it was possible that the injection could cause it. The shot did nothing for my pain, but I allowed another just to prove a theory; sure enough, about a week later, I'm bleeding. The first time was for 9 days; I hope this one will be shorter. I know I will never be getting another injection, even it did work; maybe one day, regular physicians will let a woman know that this in fact could happen, instead of adamantly denying that it can't

I'm 62 and had a cortisone shot in my thumb back in June '14. It took about a week but the arthritis subsided significantly....then about 10 days after the shot, I began to spot, then bleed just like a light period. I researched and found these posts and some research articles about postmenopausal bleeding after cortisone shots. I didn't freak or anything and have continued to have sporadic spotting every 6 wks or so since. Last Wednesday I got another injection in my thumb. As before...great relief followed by a "period" that started yesterday complete with lethargy, intestinal upset and bloating. So...I am not worrying about it despite the fact that I've been postmenopausal for a good 13 years or so and feel certain this is "hormonal" however artificial it may be.

 What I want to know is what the hell do I do about the arthritis when it flares backup???  

I had acortisone shot in my heel for plantars facitis and had post menopausal bleeding 2 weeks later in 2013. The recently I had a cortisone shot for shoulder pain and 2 weeks later had post menopausal bleeding again. Although some of the heath care providers poo pooed it one doctor thought there might be a causal relationship.

I just went thru the same thing. I am 70 years old and have not had a period since I was 45. One 1/30/2015 had cortisone shot in foot for neuroma (by orthopedic doc). On 2/18 had cortisone shot in wrist for ganglian cyst (by orthopedic doc). Finally, 3/9 went to Podiatrist for tedonitus ... had cortisone shot in top of foot. On 3/13 began to spot and by first of the next week had full blown period. Went to my HRT doc and she had no clue but while there I remember my GP had mentioned years ago that I may spot after a steriod shot for bronchitus. Forgot to mention I went to Podiatrist and he had no clue. It came to my memory so I went back to GP. He ordered an ultra sound to make certain that all was well. I had a good report. Nothing to be concerned with. Bleeding ran a course of 1 week and slowed down to spotting again. It is now 4/7/2015 and it's completely stopped. What a trip! This website has been so helpful! Otherwise I would be having an MRI now. Thank goodness for you ladies. No more cortisone for me!

I am 60 years old... went through menopause 10 years ago and in January I had steroid shots in my knee and shoulder.  About a week later I noticed blood and then had a 'normal' perod and spotted for a couple days a couple weeks later and that was it.   An internist that I went to see told me I needed to see my OBGYN and that it would NOT have been caused by the steroids.  It took me 3 months to get in to see the OBGYN and a week before I went in, I had another shot in my knee... a few days later I started having hot flashes and night sweats ... and a few light spots.  The OBGYN said it would NOT have been caused by the steroid shot.  I am not scheduled to get an ultrasound and biopsy ... which is wise to check it out.  But I think they are both wrong!!  I have not talked to either of the orthy docs yet... but neither listed it as possible side effect.  I'm sure it is the shots... too much of a coinciident!

I am 60, later this year and had my last period in 2004. Yesterday I started a full blown, heavy, crampy period, after having had a cortisone shot nine days earlier for chronic urticaria. I am amazed at the number of comparative stories from women with the same experience! The period was preceeded by a migraine with an aura the day before. I am so convinced that it was caused by the cortisone that I don't want to tell my health providers for fear of them panicking and wanting to slice and dice me. From what I have been reading, it appears that they don't generally accept the correllation between the two events.

Doll, Your story is eerily similar to mine. 12 years post menopausal. Had 2 cortisone shots within 90 days for my shoulder and 3 weeks after the second shot started bleeding. I saw my GYN who did a biopsy and discovered that I had uterine cancer. My oncologist told me the same thing, that I would have started to bleed eventually. He calls this cancer "the silent and deadly cancer" because there is no test for it, other than an invasive biopsy.

I had a cortisone injection in my knee, dr said only side effect was swelling. I barely could drive home,  insomnia, loss of appitite, extreme pain and burning then 16 days later I started bleeding. I havent had a period in 20 years. so went to emergancy room dr says cant be the shot. go have a biopsy. no thanks after finding ths site I know it was the shot. I have had so many side effects  will not have another

I sure am glad to have found this website. I too had a cortisone injection in my knee and a high prednisone dose 3 weeks before. I got bloating and cramps and spotting after 15 years of menopause. My Gyno found a thickening of the lining of my uterus on a ultrasound. I have two weeks to wait for a biopsy and I am a nervous wreck. I read that I am a high risk for Cancer because I never had children. I sure hope that it was the steroids that is cause of the spotting and not Cancer!!!

Ok so I just had a cortisone shot two weeks ago in my knee, and a week later I had the hip cortisone shot. One week later I began spotting! I am 58 and had my last period at the age of 50! I have spotted for three days now! I am so glad I googled and found this because I was really starting to worry!

Now I know. Glad I saw this site. I've had many spinal, cervical ( neck ) injections, also trigger point injections over the last 7 yrs. No problem. Haven't had a peiod in the last 2 yrs. Never had a problem spotting. 5 weeks ago I got a Cortizone injection for Torn Rotator Cuff.. Now I'm spotting for the past several days.. I'm still going to mention this to my primary doctor next month. Ask for a Pap as well. Hope it stops I'm 52 yrs.old.. Dont think I will get another Cortizone shot. The Doctors should tell us women about this side effect.

I am 48 and still have a regular monthly period. I have never had an interruption unless I am Pregnant. I had an epidural 2 weeks ago ever since i have been spotting and some times very heavy. this is very unusual. I am very worried about it even though my gyn had passed me safe from any cervical or uterine abnormalities. Viewing this site, it somewhat, put my mind at ease until i go for my next check-up.

Thank you!!! I am post menopausal for 4 years. I had a steroid injection 2 weeks ago...lo and behold I started bleeding. Thanks so much for all of your information. It has put my mind at ease. I never thought that there was anything wrong, I had just recently been to the GYN, All tests were fine. The steroid injection certainly seems like the common denominator. Again, thank you everyone for sharing your story and relieving my stress level. :)

For everyone who ends up at this site with this issue, there has been at least one publication about abnormal bleeding after cortisone injections that involved postmenopausal women. If your doctors don't believe you, you can point them to a peer-reviewed journal article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23816843.