Estrogens (Systemic)
Side Effects of This MedicineWomen rarely have severe side effects from taking estrogens to replace
estrogen. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor:
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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.
-
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. Breast
cancer has been reported in men taking estrogens.
The following side effects may be caused by
blood clots, which could lead to stroke, heart attack, or death. These side
effects occur rarely, and, when they do occur, they occur in men treated for
cancer using high doses of estrogens. Get emergency help
immediately
if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare - for males being treated for breast or prostate cancer only
Headache (sudden or severe); loss of
coordination (sudden); loss of vision or change of
vision (sudden); pains in chest, groin, or leg, especially
in calf of leg; shortness of breath (sudden and unexplained); slurring of speech (sudden); weakness or numbness in arm or leg
Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible
if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Breast pain (in females and males); fast heartbeat; fever; hives; hoarseness; increased
breast size (in females and males); irritation of
skin; itching of skin; joint pain, stiffness or swelling; rash; redness of skin; shortness of breath; swelling of eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet; swelling of feet and lower legs; tightness in chest; troubled breathing or swallowing; weight gain (rapid); wheezing
Less common or rare
Changes in vaginal bleeding (spotting, breakthrough bleeding,
prolonged or heavier bleeding, or complete stoppage of bleeding); chest pain; chills; cough; heavy nonmenstrual vaginal bleeding; lumps in, or discharge from, breast (in females and males); pains in stomach, side, or abdomen; yellow eyes or skin
Frequency not determined
Abdominal bloating; abdominal cramps; acid or sour stomach; anxiety; backache; belching; blindness; blistering,
peeling, loosening of skin; blue-yellow color blindness; blurred vision; change
in vaginal discharge; changes in vision; changes in skin color; chest discomfort; clay-colored stools; clear or bloody discharge from nipple; confusion; constipation; convulsions; dark urine; decrease in
amount of urine; decreased vision; depression; diarrhea; difficulty
breathing; difficulty in speaking; dimpling of breast skin; dizziness; double vision; dry mouth; eye pain; fainting; fluid-filled skin blisters; full feeling in upper
abdomen; full or bloated feeling or pressure in the
stomach; headache; heartburn; inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles; inability to speak; incoherent
speech; increased urination; indigestion; inverted nipple; irregular heartbeats; light-colored stools; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; loss of bladder control; lump under
the arm; metallic taste; migraine headache; mood or mental changes; muscle cramps in hands, arms, feet, legs, or face; muscle pain; muscle spasm or jerking
of all extremities; muscle weakness; nausea; noisy breathing; numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face; pain in ankles or knees; pains in chest, groin, or
legs, especially calves of legs; pain or discomfort
in arms, jaw, back or neck; pain or feeling of pressure
in pelvis; painful or tender cysts in the breasts; painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the
legs; pain; tenderness; swelling of foot or leg; partial or complete loss of vision in eye; pelvic pain; persistent crusting or scaling of nipple; pinpoint red or purple spots on skin; prominent superficial veins over affected area; red, irritated eyes; redness or swelling
of breast; sensitivity to the sun; severe headaches of sudden onset; skin thinness; skin warmth; slow speech; sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal; sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white
spots in mouth or on lips; stomach discomfort, upset
or pain; sudden loss of consciousness; sudden loss of coordination; sudden
onset of shortness of breath for no apparent reason; sudden onset of slurred speech; sudden vision changes; sweating; swelling of
abdominal or stomach area; swelling of fingers or
hands; thirst; tremor; unpleasant breath odor; unusual tiredness
or weakness; vomiting; vomiting of blood; weight lossOther 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
Abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material; accidental injury; bladder pain; bloated full feeling; bloody or cloudy
urine; body aches or pain; coating or white patches on tongue; congestion; cough producing mucus; decrease in amount
of urine; difficult, burning, or painful urination; discouragement; dryness
of throat; ear congestion or pain; excess air or gas in stomach or intestines; fear; feeling of warmth; feeling
sad or empty; frequent urge to urinate; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache, severe and throbbing; increased clear or
white vaginal discharge; irritability; itching of the vaginal, rectal or genital areas; lack of appetite; lack or loss of strength; loss of interest or pleasure; mild dizziness; neck pain; nervousness; pain; pain
during sexual intercourse; painful or difficult urination; pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones; passing gas; redness of the face, neck,
arms and occasionally, upper chest; runny nose; skin irritation or redness where skin patch was worn; shivering; sleeplessness; sneezing; sore mouth or tongue; stuffy nose; sudden sweating; tender, swollen glands in neck; thick,
white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor; tiredness; trouble concentrating; trouble sleeping; unable to sleep; voice changes
Less common
Blemishes on the skin; burning, crawling,
itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles" , or tingling feelings; burning or stinging of skin; diarrhea
(mild); dizziness (mild); increased hair growth, especially on the face; lower
abdominal pain or pressure; mood or mental changes; muscle stiffness; difficulty
in moving; painful cold sores or blisters on lips,
nose, eyes, or genitals; pimples; pounding in the ears; slow heartbeat; problems in wearing contact lenses; tooth or gum pain; unusual decrease in sexual desire
(in males); unusual increase in sexual desire (in
females); white or brownish vaginal discharge
Frequency not determined
abdominal pain; abnormal turning out
of cervix; changes in appetite; dull ache or feeling of pressure or heaviness in legs; fatigue; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased hunger; irritability; large amount of triglyceride
in the blood; leg cramps; patchy brown or dark brown discoloration of skin; twitching, uncontrolled movements of tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs; unexpected or excess milk flow from breasts
Also, many women who are taking estrogens with a progestin (another female
hormone) will start having monthly vaginal bleeding, similar to menstrual
periods, again. This effect will continue for as long as the medicine is taken.
However, monthly bleeding will not occur in women who have had the uterus
removed by surgery (total hysterectomy).
This medicine may cause loss or thinning of scalp hair in some people.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in
some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
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