Spotting Following Cortisone Injection

Thank you. To be honest if I'd known about this side effect I probably wouldn't of taken the steroid shots as the pain from the frozen shoulder was quite manageable . I do think it's a shame this doesn't seem to be very well documented amongst the professionals and we aren't informed of this as a possible side effect. Wishing you much luck with your hysterectomy. Xx

Last August I had three steroid injections in each foot for mid-foot arthritis, for the second time. I had a steroid injection in my knee the year before. At about the same time as the recent injections, I was prescribed Estradiol cream by my urogynegcologist to help with uncomfortable dryness. I used that cream for 4 days. I started spotting for the first time (I'm 70) since menopause (roughly 52-53). No other symptoms whatsoever; no pain, no soreness, nothing. Blood tests all normal. I had a CT Scan in October which showed endometrial lining thickening (15mm). I was sent for a D&C, which came back as endometrial adenocarcinoma. I had an abnormal PAP. I'm now scheduled for a total hysterectomy.
Every doctor except for my primary said there was/is no correlation between the cortisone and my gyne issues. I beg to differ.

Hi ,I just got my results from my biopsy back and it’s clear . My gynecologist said since this is the third time after a steroid shot in my back and multiple tests including a D&C that it could be caused from the steroid shots .
So in my option ,I think it’s worth having a period for a week to relieve the pain in my back . She has also put me on vaginal estrogen twice a week to be on the safe side . I have had so many operations including colon cancer so if I don’t have to have a hysterectomy I’ll take my chances . I hope that’s helped .? I still would like to know why it happens . The only answer I am getting is that a steroid shot is a hormone and it could be thinning out my uterus and causing it to act like a period . So if anyone out there knows why I would be grateful.☺️

Update!!!
Been to the gynecologist today who was very familiar with this being a side effect of the steroid injection in fact said I was about the fourth case he had seen in recent months , I had an internal scan and all fine with my ovaries but the lining of my womb was ever so slightly thicker than it should be so he's taken a biopsy just to be sure. He's discharged me from the cancer pathway and is happy that my bleeding was caused by the steroid injection. Feeling relieved but a little angry I wasn't warned of this as because my frozen shoulder was improving on its own and manageable I probably would of declined the injection and saved myself all this worry and hassle over Christmas.

Hi , Iam so glad to hear that your dr was familiar with this happening after a steroid shot .Did your dr give you any indication as to why it happens ? I can’t do with out the back injections so my gynecologist is keeping an eye on me . I also have had all the test and have come up clear . However ,I would still like to know why it does that …Is it because the steroid shot is a hormone and interferes with the hormones in our bodies .? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks 😊

He just said it was to do with the steroid affecting oestrogen levels. I'm pretty certain it affects the hormones because that's exactly how I felt , very hormonal and periody (if that's a word ) I even said to my husband when I woke up the day it started, I felt like I was due a period, despite not having one for three years. I hope it doesn't cause you too many problems if you have to continue with the injections. I certainly won't be having them again unless it's absolutely vital. 🥰

Thanks for your info it does put me at ease as to why its happening after the steroid shot .. it makes sense that it would interfere with your estrogen levels .. my gynecologist told me if I am still going to get the steroid shots that to contact her again only if I have a heavy period and she will do another biopsy..
Iam going to try and go longer in between shots and keep taking estrogen cream twice a week to see if it helps . Thanks and good luck

I am so thankful for finding this thread! Though I don’t fit the category perfectly it’s definitely helping my anxiety. I have an ultrasound scheduled this week. I just started hrt about 3 months ago but then had an outbreak of lichen planus in my lip. I took 2 steroid injections (I’m sure lower dose than people get for backs or hips) 2 weeks apart, followed by 21 days of oral prednisone. I KNEW the steroids were messing with me because I felt awful and my resting heart rate increased by 15 bpm! Soon as I came off I started bleeding - on Christmas Eve! But my resting heart rate started going back down too. Went to gyno who immediately said it was the steroids but I need to jump through the hoops to be sure. I stopped the hrt to be prepared for the ultrasound so idk if the continued bleeding is still steroids or hrt withdrawl now. I really do think it’s the steroids but I’m terrified of how far I’m going to have to go. I almost expect the lining to be thick because seems it ALWAYS is for everyone and then I expect another hoop just “to be sure” but sr this point I think anything else would break me.

I had 2 Kenalog injections (small doses 5 and 10) in my lip 2.5 weeks before this bleed. I’m really convinced this has to be it. I’m just SICK about how far I will have to go to “rule out” anything else.

Hi puttycat , i would be interested to see what your results were after all these tests . I am now convinced the steroid shots can bring on bleeding as i have had all the tests to see if there is anything else going ,all clear so far but i am from canada and our dr here (the ones i go to ) haven’t heard of steroids effecting the hormones in my system to cause bleeding .
I am at the point though that I have to make up my mind if it is worth having a period for one week twice a year or back pain relief . I am going to see how long I can go with out the steroid in my back this time but there is a question of quality of life .I am 77 years old and have a tough time walking with out it . My gynecologist told me she will keep an eye on me if i decide to continue with the shots . Cheers good luck