How to Stop Taking Estratest

Estratest is a hormone replacement drug formulated to ease symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, sweating, flushed skin and vaginal irritation. Taken orally in pill form, Estratest restores some of the estrogen lost in the body as a woman goes through menopause. One reason to stop taking Estratest is the drug's link to endrometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus), with an increased risk for breast cancer and heart disease. As with stopping or starting any medication, the first course of action is to talk with a doctor.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk with a doctor about the risks associated with estrogen-replacement drugs, including cancer of the uterus, breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots.

• 2

  Know that the longer you take estrogen replacement drugs and the higher the dosage, the greater the risk for developing certain cancers and heart disease. Talk to your physician about tapering the Estratest dose, rather than quitting abruptly, which could cause menopausal symptoms to worsen.

• 3

  Get regular checkups and tell your doctor about any unusual vaginal bleeding while using or stopping Estratest.

• 4

  Know the side effects for Estratest: cramps and bloating, painful breast tenderness, tingling, nausea and vomiting, yeast infections and weight gain. Any of these symptoms may cause sufficient discomfort to explore a different estrogen-replacement therapy.