{"id":626521,"date":"2024-01-31T11:00:08","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T16:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626521"},"modified":"2025-10-30T16:38:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T20:38:08","slug":"prednisone-side-effects-in-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prednisone-side-effects-in-women\/","title":{"rendered":"6 prednisone side effects in women"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prednisone<\/span><\/a> is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the body. It\u2019s used to treat many medical conditions, including asthma, certain types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, blood conditions, lupus, and immune system disorders. It\u2019s well known that <\/span>prednisone<\/span><\/a> can have <\/span>unwanted side effects<\/span><\/a>, such as headaches, insomnia, irritability, dry and thinning skin, weight gain, and swelling of the legs and face. But did you know some of them affect women, specifically?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, prednisone can have a number of adverse effects in women,\u201d says <\/span>Soma Mandal, MD,<\/span><\/a> internist and women’s health specialist at Summit Health in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. The most common list of complaints among females taking this prescription medication include weight gain, mood swings, and high blood sugar, according to Dr. Mandal. Here, learn how long to expect the side effects to last and how to minimize their impact if you\u2019re prescribed this medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

6 side effects of prednisone in women<\/span><\/h2>\n

These are the most common side effects of prednisone in women.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Weight gain<\/span><\/h3>\n

Weight gain, swelling, and fat redistribution are some of the most common complaints among women who take prednisone, says Dr. Mandal. These side effects don\u2019t happen to everyone, but they tend to worsen the higher the dose you take and the longer you take it. <\/span>Prednisone is known to cause<\/span><\/a> swelling of the face, along with redistribution of fat to your face. It can also cause fat deposits in the back of the neck; when this happens, it\u2019s sometimes referred to as a \u201cbuffalo hump.\u201d These changes are primarily due to fluid retention but also because prednisone can increase your appetite.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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2. Mood swings<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mood changes and exacerbation of mental health issues may occur when you take prednisone. According to <\/span>a 2023 study<\/span><\/a>, some of the common mental health side effects of taking prednisone include depression, panic disorder, anxiety, and delirium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Women, in particular, \u201cexperience mood swings and an increase in anxiety and depression,\u201d Dr. Mandal notes. Additionally, prednisone may cause short-term irritability as well as sleep disruption in women, says <\/span>Jared L. Ross<\/span><\/a>, DO, a board-certified emergency medicine physician in Charleston, South Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Blood sugar issues<\/span><\/h3>\n

Glucocorticoids<\/span><\/a> (another word for steroids), like prednisone, can <\/span>cause an increase in fasting glucose levels<\/span><\/a>. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can be concerning for anyone, says Dr. Mandal, but it\u2019s an even greater concern for women who have insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Menstrual changes<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cPrednisone can both cause bleeding when it shouldn’t, and it may stop bleeding [during a period],\u201d explains <\/span>Megan Milne,<\/span><\/a> Pharm.D., a clinical pharmacist who specializes in prednisone side effects. \u201cMost concerning for women still expecting a period is when their periods don’t happen.\u201d If you notice irregular periods or absent periods while on prednisone, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, mismanagement of corticosteroid dosages or taking too much of the medication could result in menstrual changes, including skipping periods, according to <\/span>MedlinePlus<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Skin problems<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, corticosteroid use is known to have adverse effects on the skin. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> has found that topical and systemic use of corticosteroids increases your risk of skin rashes, rosacea, acne, dermatitis, itching, and hirsutism (excess hair growth on the face). Dr. Mandal says that you can expect skin changes if you are using prednisone, especially if you\u2019re using it long-term. \u201cI always caution my female patients to avoid chronic use since it can cause skin thinning, bruising, or dry skin,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Osteoporosis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Osteoporosis<\/span><\/a> is a condition that makes your bones become weak and brittle. Women, in particular, are prone to osteoporosis as they get older. Although taking prednisone doesn\u2019t cause osteoporosis if you just take it for a few days, anyone who\u2019s taking it for a more extended period and\/or at higher doses may be at risk for <\/span>bone density loss<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the long-term side effects of prednisone in women?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, there are quite a few potential long-term side effects from prednisone, says Dr. Ross. He says the most common ones include weight gain, skin thinning, stretch marks, acne, hair thinning, and hair loss. Increased risk of infections, such as rare fungal infections and tuberculosis, are also common the longer you take it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most serious side effects of long-term prednisone use is osteoporosis. \u201cThe bone loss from prednisone is one of the few permanent, irreversible side effects in women,\u201d according to Dr. Milne. \u201cIt’s a concern for both men and women, but usually worse and more common in postmenopausal women.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other serious side effects from long-term prednisone use, such as diabetes, can lead to additional health problems and complications as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How soon do prednisone side effects start in women?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cPrednisone side effects happen at different times, depending on the side effect,\u201d Dr. Milne explains. Side effects of prednisone are usually divided into two categories: short-term side effects and long-term side effects. Short-term side effects can happen even after a single dose of prednisone if the dose is high enough. The <\/span>dose required<\/span><\/a> depends on the medical condition you\u2019re taking prednisone for and its severity\u2014the usual dose ranges from <\/span>5 mg to 60 mg daily<\/span><\/a>. Even higher doses may be required for specific health issues, such as an <\/span>acute multiple sclerosis flare<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone side effects in women from long-term use will take longer to show up. For example, \u201cserious side effects like osteoporosis can start happening in the first three months on prednisone but can continue to cause further bone loss over time,\u201d Dr. Milne says.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long prednisone side effects last depends on whether you are talking about short-term or long-term effects. \u201cThe short-term ones generally resolve within two to three days after stopping the medication,\u201d explains Dr. Ross. \u201cLong-term effects are typically permanent; however, there will usually be some gradual improvement over months to as long as a year after stopping an extended course of steroids.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How to avoid prednisone side effects in women<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Prednisone side effects in women can be challenging, but there are ways to minimize them. Dr. Milne recommends that you:<\/span><\/p>\n