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
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Breast pain (in females and males)
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fast heartbeat
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fever
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hives
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hoarseness
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increased breast size (in females and males)
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irritation of the skin
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itching of the skin
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joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
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rash
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redness of the skin
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shortness of breath
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swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
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swelling of the feet and lower legs
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tightness in the chest
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troubled breathing or swallowing
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weight gain (rapid)
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wheezing
Less common or rare
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Changes in vaginal bleeding (spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or heavier bleeding, or complete stoppage of bleeding)
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chest pain
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chills
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cough
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heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
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lumps in, or discharge from, breast (in females and males)
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pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen
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yellow eyes or skin
Rare
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Headache (sudden or severe)
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loss of coordination (sudden)
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loss of vision or change of vision (sudden)
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pains in the chest, groin, or leg, especially in the calf of leg
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shortness of breath (sudden and unexplained)
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slurring of speech (sudden)
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weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
Incidence not known
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Abdominal or stomach bloating
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abdominal or stomach cramps
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acid or sour stomach
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anxiety
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backache
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belching
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blindness
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blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
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blue-yellow color blindness
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blurred vision
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change in vaginal discharge
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changes in skin color
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changes in vision
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chest discomfort
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clay-colored stools
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clear or bloody discharge from nipple
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confusion
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constipation
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convulsions
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dark urine
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decrease in the amount of urine
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decreased vision
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depression
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diarrhea
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difficulty with breathing
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difficulty with speaking
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dimpling of the breast skin
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dizziness
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double vision
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dry mouth
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eye pain
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fainting
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fluid-filled skin blisters
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full feeling in upper abdomen or stomach
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full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
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headache
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heartburn
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inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
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inability to speak
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incoherent speech
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increased urination
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indigestion
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inverted nipple
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irregular heartbeats
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light-colored stools
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lightheadedness
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loss of appetite
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loss of bladder control
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lump under the arm
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metallic taste
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migraine headache
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mood or mental changes
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muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
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muscle pain
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muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
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muscle weakness
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nausea
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noisy breathing
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numbness or tingling of the hands, feet, or face
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pain in the ankles or knees
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pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
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pain or feeling of pressure in the pelvis
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pain, tenderness, swelling of the foot or leg
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painful or tender cysts in the breasts
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painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
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pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
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partial or complete loss of vision in the eye
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pelvic pain
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persistent crusting or scaling of nipple
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pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
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prominent superficial veins over affected area
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red, irritated eyes
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redness or swelling of the breast
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sensitivity to the sun
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severe headaches of sudden onset
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skin thinness
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skin warmth
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slow speech
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sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
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sore throat
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sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
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stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
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sudden loss of consciousness
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sudden loss of coordination
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sudden onset of shortness of breath for no apparent reason
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sudden onset of slurred speech
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sudden vision changes
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swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
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swelling of the fingers or hands
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thirst
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tremor
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unpleasant breath odor
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unusual tiredness or weakness
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vomiting
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vomiting of blood
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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
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Abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material
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accidental injury
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bladder pain
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bloated full feeling
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bloody or cloudy urine
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body aches or pain
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coating or white patches on tongue
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congestion
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cough producing mucus
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decrease in amount of urine
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difficult, burning, or painful urination
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discouragement
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dryness of the throat
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ear congestion or pain
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excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
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fear
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feeling of warmth
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feeling sad or empty
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frequent urge to urinate
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general feeling of discomfort or illness
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headache, severe and throbbing
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increased clear or white vaginal discharge
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irritability
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itching of the vaginal, rectal or genital areas
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lack of appetite
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lack or loss of strength
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loss of interest or pleasure
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mild dizziness
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neck pain
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nervousness
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pain
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pain during sexual intercourse
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painful or difficult urination
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pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
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passing gas
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redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
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runny nose
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skin irritation or redness where skin patch was worn
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shivering
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sleeplessness
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sneezing
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sore mouth or tongue
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stuffy nose
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sudden sweating
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tender, swollen glands in the neck
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thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
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tiredness
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trouble concentrating
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trouble sleeping
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unable to sleep
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voice changes
Less common
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Blemishes on the skin
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burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
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burning or stinging of the skin
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diarrhea (mild)
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difficulty with moving
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dizziness (mild)
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increased hair growth, especially on the face
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lower abdominal or stomach pain or pressure
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mood or mental changes
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muscle stiffness
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painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
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pimples
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pounding in the ears
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problems in wearing contact lenses
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slow heartbeat
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tooth or gum pain
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unusual decrease in sexual desire (in males)
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unusual increase in sexual desire (in females)
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white or brownish vaginal discharge
Incidence not known
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Abnormal turning out of cervix
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changes in appetite
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dull ache or feeling of pressure or heaviness in the legs
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flushed, dry skin
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fruit-like breath odor
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increased hunger
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irritability
-
large amount of triglyceride in the blood
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leg cramps
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patchy brown or dark brown discoloration of the skin
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poor insight and judgment
-
problems with memory or speech
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trouble recognizing objects
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trouble thinking and planning
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trouble walking
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twitching, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
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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.
Portions of this document last updated: Aug. 01, 2024
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