Hi,
I’ve just been diagnosed with lupus and RA. I was given a steroid shot last week and have now been on hydroxychloroquine for a few days and my period has come mid cycle. I always have completely regular periods so this is a bit of a shock. Has anyone else experienced this and is this a common side effect of the medicine.
Thanks
More likely the steroid shot. Steroids are very close in structure to female hormones..
Hi, not with HCQ as I’ve never taken it so it could well be. My RA meds haven’t done that to me but abx meds in the past have caused a breakthrough and an earlier period. Also I had that too with steroid injections a few times early on with my RA, years ago. I remember looking it up and reading Kenlaog/steroid shots can make your period come earlier or later. I’ll bet it will be settled down and resume normality after this out of sync one. You can mention to your rheumy nurse and see if they think it is a side effect of HCQ or if they feel it is your steroid. (I’d put money on the steroid shot causing it, but I only speak from my own experience and with no medical expertise, so I would mention to your nurse.) Good luck with the RA med and hope it works well for you. My periods stopped when I first had RA as I went so skinny and anaemic for some months/out of sync so sometimes that alone can affect the cycle.
I’ve done a bit more digging and it definitely seems more like the steroid shot. Thanks for your replies. It makes me feel better 
Steroid injections used to play havoc with my cycle, I would think it’s most likely to be the steroid.
Hydroxychloroquine 
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine
