Estrogen (Oral Route, Parenteral Route, Topical Application Route, Transdermal Route)

Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

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.

Although the incidence is low, the use of estrogens may increase you chance of getting cancer of the breast. Breast cancer has been reported in men taking estrogens.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

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.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Breast pain (in females and males)
2. fast heartbeat
3. fever
4. hives
5. hoarseness
6. increased breast size (in females and males)
7. irritation of the skin
8. itching of the skin
9. joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
10. rash
11. redness of the skin
12. shortness of breath
13. swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
14. swelling of the feet and lower legs
15. tightness in the chest
16. troubled breathing or swallowing
17. weight gain (rapid)
18. wheezing

Less common or rare

1. Changes in vaginal bleeding (spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or heavier bleeding, or complete stoppage of bleeding)
2. chest pain
3. chills
4. cough
5. heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
6. lumps in, or discharge from, breast (in females and males)
7. pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen
8. yellow eyes or skin

Rare

1. Headache (sudden or severe)
2. loss of coordination (sudden)
3. loss of vision or change of vision (sudden)
4. pains in the chest, groin, or leg, especially in the calf of leg
5. shortness of breath (sudden and unexplained)
6. slurring of speech (sudden)
7. weakness or numbness in the arm or leg

Incidence not known

1. Abdominal or stomach bloating
2. abdominal or stomach cramps
3. acid or sour stomach
4. anxiety
5. backache
6. belching
7. blindness
8. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
9. blue-yellow color blindness
10. blurred vision
11. change in vaginal discharge
12. changes in skin color
13. changes in vision
14. chest discomfort
15. clay-colored stools
16. clear or bloody discharge from nipple
17. confusion
18. constipation
19. convulsions
20. dark urine
21. decrease in the amount of urine
22. decreased vision
23. depression
24. diarrhea
25. difficulty with breathing
26. difficulty with speaking
27. dimpling of the breast skin
28. dizziness
29. double vision
30. dry mouth
31. eye pain
32. fainting
33. fluid-filled skin blisters
34. full feeling in upper abdomen or stomach
35. full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
36. headache
37. heartburn
38. inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
39. inability to speak
40. incoherent speech
41. increased urination
42. indigestion
43. inverted nipple
44. irregular heartbeats
45. light-colored stools
46. lightheadedness
47. loss of appetite
48. loss of bladder control
49. lump under the arm
50. metallic taste
51. migraine headache
52. mood or mental changes
53. muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
54. muscle pain
55. muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
56. muscle weakness
57. nausea
58. noisy breathing
59. numbness or tingling of the hands, feet, or face
60. pain in the ankles or knees
61. pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
62. pain or feeling of pressure in the pelvis
63. pain, tenderness, swelling of the foot or leg
64. painful or tender cysts in the breasts
65. painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
66. pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
67. partial or complete loss of vision in the eye
68. pelvic pain
69. persistent crusting or scaling of nipple
70. pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
71. prominent superficial veins over affected area
72. red, irritated eyes
73. redness or swelling of the breast
74. sensitivity to the sun
75. severe headaches of sudden onset
76. skin thinness
77. skin warmth
78. slow speech
79. sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
80. sore throat
81. sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
82. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
83. sudden loss of consciousness
84. sudden loss of coordination
85. sudden onset of shortness of breath for no apparent reason
86. sudden onset of slurred speech
87. sudden vision changes
88. swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
89. swelling of the fingers or hands
90. thirst
91. tremor
92. unpleasant breath odor
93. unusual tiredness or weakness
94. vomiting
95. vomiting of blood
96. weight loss

Some 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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material
2. accidental injury
3. bladder pain
4. bloated full feeling
5. bloody or cloudy urine
6. body aches or pain
7. coating or white patches on tongue
8. congestion
9. cough producing mucus
10. decrease in amount of urine
11. difficult, burning, or painful urination
12. discouragement
13. dryness of the throat
14. ear congestion or pain
15. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
16. fear
17. feeling of warmth
18. feeling sad or empty
19. frequent urge to urinate
20. general feeling of discomfort or illness
21. headache, severe and throbbing
22. increased clear or white vaginal discharge
23. irritability
24. itching of the vaginal, rectal or genital areas
25. lack of appetite
26. lack or loss of strength
27. loss of interest or pleasure
28. mild dizziness
29. neck pain
30. nervousness
31. pain
32. pain during sexual intercourse
33. painful or difficult urination
34. pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
35. passing gas
36. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
37. runny nose
38. skin irritation or redness where skin patch was worn
39. shivering
40. sleeplessness
41. sneezing
42. sore mouth or tongue
43. stuffy nose
44. sudden sweating
45. tender, swollen glands in the neck
46. thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
47. tiredness
48. trouble concentrating
49. trouble sleeping
50. unable to sleep
51. voice changes

Less common

1. Blemishes on the skin
2. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
3. burning or stinging of the skin
4. diarrhea (mild)
5. difficulty with moving
6. dizziness (mild)
7. increased hair growth, especially on the face
8. lower abdominal or stomach pain or pressure
9. mood or mental changes
10. muscle stiffness
11. painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
12. pimples
13. pounding in the ears
14. problems in wearing contact lenses
15. slow heartbeat
16. tooth or gum pain
17. unusual decrease in sexual desire (in males)
18. unusual increase in sexual desire (in females)
19. white or brownish vaginal discharge

Incidence not known

1. Abnormal turning out of cervix
2. changes in appetite
3. dull ache or feeling of pressure or heaviness in the legs
4. flushed, dry skin
5. fruit-like breath odor
6. increased hunger
7. irritability
8. large amount of triglyceride in the blood
9. leg cramps
10. patchy brown or dark brown discoloration of the skin
11. poor insight and judgment
12. problems with memory or speech
13. trouble recognizing objects
14. trouble thinking and planning
15. trouble walking
16. twitching, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
17. unexpected or excess milk flow from the 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 the scalp hair in some people.

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

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.