Can steroid shot delay your period?
Steroid injections can sometimes cause temporary changes to women's periods. They can also cause changes in people's mood – you may feel very high or very low. This may be more likely if you have a history of mood disturbance. If you're worried please discuss this with your doctor.
Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can affect the menstrual cycle. A few examples are: Aspirin and other medicines (called blood thinners) that prevent blood clots. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (for example, Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (for example, Aleve).
After administration of corticosteroids in a postmenopausal woman an episode of menstruation like bleeding can be expected. This is probably due to a transient drop of androstenedione. In premenopausal women a transient change in menstruation cycle can be observed.
- indigestion or heartburn.
- increased appetite, which could lead to weight gain.
- difficulty sleeping.
- changes in mood and behaviour, such as feeling irritable or anxious.
- an increased risk of infections – especially chickenpox, shingles and measles.
- high blood sugar or diabetes.
Natural causes most likely to cause amenorrhea include pregnancy, breast-feeding, and menopause. Lifestyle factors may include excessive exercise and stress. Also, having too little body fat or too much body fat may also delay or stop menstruation.
In 81 ovulatory patients, prednisone therapy resulted in statistically significant shortening of the follicular phase and lengthening of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The mean length of the menstrual cycle was unchanged.
Generally, a period is considered late if it's more than five days past due. Although a missed period can be confusing, having an understanding of the menstrual cycle and the body can help clarify this situation.
Hormonal System
Steroid use disrupts the normal production of hormones in the body. Changes that can be reversed include decreased sperm production,56–59 decreased function of the testes (hypogonadism) that leads to low testosterone levels,60 and shrinking of the testicles (testicular atrophy).
Unfortunately, fitness and muscle-building dietary supplements from less reputable sources may be tainted with anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids harm male fertility the same way that testosterone does: by interfering with the hormone signals that are needed to produce sperm.
Facial Flushing - A flushing sensation and redness of the face. This reaction is more common in women and is seen in up to 15 percent of patients. This can begin within a few hours of the injection and may last for a few days.
What are 5 common side effects of steroids?
- Increased appetite.
- Weight gain.
- Changes in mood.
- Muscle weakness.
- Blurred vision.
- Increased growth of body hair.
- Easy bruising.
- Lower resistance to infection.
It is important to avoid "simple" carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, breads, candy and other highly processed foods. This helps keep blood sugar low. Limit saturated fat and cholesterol. Choose lean meats, poultry and fish.

Steroid medications such as prednisolone can affect periods and make them irregular, prolonged and sometimes heavier. This is usually after long-term use of steroids.
Median time for follow up was six weeks. Disturbance in menstruation was noticed by 39 of the 77 women (50.6%). The onset of the next menstruation was later than expected in 10 and earlier in 16 patients (table 1). The delay ranged from 1–28 (median 7) days and the acceleration from 1–20 (median 9) days.
Description: for women undergoing treatment with cortisone, some changes in the menstrual cycle may be experienced. Menstruations can be longer or shorter than usual. Men have reported on occasion that they had decreased libido and/or erectile dysfunction during corticosteroid therapy.
Cortisone does not interact with birth control pills (either estrogen-progestin or progestogen). There is no indication of potential harm caused by the use of corticosteroids and birth control at the same time.
However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.