Today we’re diving into an important and often overlooked topic: the side effects of steroid use. Whether you’ve been prescribed steroids for inflammation, autoimmune conditions, or allergies, it’s critical to understand the potential health risks these powerful medications carry.

Steroids, especially corticosteroids like prednisone and dexamethasone, are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and control immune responses. However, many people experience unwanted symptoms—including something I’ve seen countless times in my own patients: Candida overgrowth caused by steroid use.

In this video, we’ll explore the most commonly used steroid medications, short- and long-term side effects, and how to protect yourself from complications like Candida infections.

Part 1: What Are Steroids?

Steroids are synthetic medications that mimic hormones your body produces naturally—primarily corticosteroids, which help reduce inflammation because they suppress your immune system, and inflammation is created by your immune system. If that doesn’t make sense, then be sure to watch my series on inflammation, which explains how and why people have inflammation. You can access it at the link above.

Steroids are commonly prescribed for conditions such as asthma, arthritis, eczema, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, and allergic reactions. Some of the most frequently used steroidal medications include:

• Prednisone
• Hydrocortisone
• Dexamethasone
• Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• Triamcinolone
• Fluticasone (inhalers, nasal sprays)
• Budesonide (inhaled or oral)
• Beclomethasone

These medications come in many forms—pills, injections, inhalers, creams, and even eye drops.

Part 2: Short-Term Side Effects

Even in the short term, steroid use can cause a variety of side effects, such as:

• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Fluid retention and facial puffiness
• Elevated blood sugar
• Higher blood pressure
• Increased risk of infections

One side effect that I often see but that isn’t discussed enough is Candida overgrowth. Steroids suppress the immune system, which makes it easier for Candida—a naturally occurring yeast in the body—to grow out of balance. This can lead to symptoms like:

• Oral thrush (white coating in the mouth)
• Vaginal yeast infections
• Digestive issues like bloating, gas, and sugar cravings
• Fatigue or brain fog

Part 3: Long-Term Side Effects

With long-term steroid use, the side effects become even more serious. These can include:

• Osteoporosis – weakening of the bones
• Muscle wasting and weakness
• Cataracts or glaucoma
• Thinning skin and easy bruising
• Suppressed adrenal function – your body stops producing its own cortisol
• Chronic infections due to a suppressed immune system
• Cushing’s syndrome – round face, abdominal weight gain, and mood changes

And chronic Candida overgrowth, which is something I frequently see in patients who’ve used steroids long-term, especially if their gut health or diet wasn’t properly supported during treatment. [put link card here again]

Part 4: Tips for Safer Use

If you’ve been prescribed steroids, there are several things you can do to minimize your risk:

• Never stop steroids suddenly – especially if you’ve been using them for more than a couple of weeks. Your doctor will help you taper the dose safely.
• Monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar, especially if you have a history of these conditions.
• Watch your sugar intake. High sugar diets feed Candida and can worsen overgrowth.
• Take probiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome. And if you’re looking for a really good one, you can access the same probiotic that I use in my patients, at the link above.
• Support your bones with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercise.
• Stay in touch with your healthcare provider and report any unusual symptoms, like vision changes, persistent infections, or mood disturbances.
• Seek out and ask about alternative treatments if you need long-term therapy.

Steroids can be powerful and necessary tools—but they’re not without consequences. If you’re using or have used steroids and are now dealing with recurring yeast infections, fatigue, or digestive issues, Candida may be the cause.  And for more information about Candida, be sure to check out my Candida workshop at the link above.

Related Content:

The Top 7 Symptoms of a Candida Overgrowth in the Gut

The Top Causes of a White Coating on Your Tongue

Don’t Take Nystatin Liquid for Candida

Why Candida is So Hard To Treat