Estrogen Therapy (ET)
Side Effects
Side effects that can occur with all forms of estrogen but are more common with oral estrogen (and less common with a patch, cream, gel, or vaginal ring) include:
- Headaches.
- Nausea.
- Vaginal discharge.
- Fluid retention.
- Weight gain.
- Breast tenderness.
- Spotting or darkening of the skin, particularly on the face.
- In rare cases, an increased growth of preexisting Reference uterine fibroids Opens New Window or a worsening of Reference endometriosis Opens New Window.
Some of these side effects, such as headaches, nausea, fluid retention, weight gain, and breast tenderness, may go away after a few weeks of use.
The estrogen patch (transdermal estrogen) may cause skin irritation.
An estrogen ring must be replaced every 3 months. If the ring falls out at any time during the 3-month treatment period, you may rinse it with lukewarm water and reinsert it.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: August 8, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Geriatric Medicine |
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