Estrogens and Progestins (Ovarian Hormone Therapy) (Systemic)

Side Effects of This Medicine

Women rarely have severe side effects from taking estrogens to replace estrogen. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor:

• The prolonged use of estrogens has been reported to increase the risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) in women after menopause. This risk seems to increase as the dose and the length of use increase. When estrogens are used in low doses for less than 1 year, there is less risk. The risk is also reduced if a progestin (another female hormone) is added to, or replaces part of, your estrogen dose. If the uterus has been removed by surgery (total hysterectomy), there is no risk of endometrial cancer, and no need to take an estrogen and progestin combination.
• It is not yet known whether the use of estrogens increases the risk of breast cancer in women. Although some large studies show an increased risk, most studies and information gathered to date do not support this idea.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Breast pain or tenderness; dizziness or light-headedness; headache; swelling of feet and lower legs; rapid weight gain; vaginal bleeding

Rare

Breast lumps; change in vaginal discharge; discharge from nipple; nausea and vomiting; pains in stomach, side, or abdomen; pain or feeling of pressure in pelvis; yellow eyes or skin; severe or sudden headache; sudden loss of coordination; pains in chest, groin, or leg, especially calf; sudden and unexplained shortness of breath; sudden slurred speech; sudden vision changes; weakness or numbness in arm or leg

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Back pain; dizziness; general feeling of tiredness; bloating or gas; flu-like symptoms; mental depression; muscle aches; nausea - taking tablet with food may decrease; vaginitis

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.