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Estrogen Side Effects

Estrogen is often prescribed to treat the symptoms associated with menopause, especially in cases where the woman is pre-menopausal. The medication helps stop symptoms such as hot flashes and migraines. However, it has also been shown to have some serious side effects that plague a percentage of women taking the medication.

  1. Long-Term

    • There are a small number of side effects associated with taking estrogen that are considered long-term. This means that the side effects aren't seen right away, but do appear after taking the pills for a long period of time. One of these symptoms is gall stones, which often results in the gallbladder being removed from the body. There is also an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

    Bleeding/Spotting

    • Bleeding and spotting are two of the more common side effects associated with taking estrogen. Women who take the medication prior to the start of menopause often exhibit more problems than others. They see heavy periods of bleeding and spotting that occurs in between their regular periods. While on their periods they also experience a flow that's heavier than normal. In some cases women may see their period stop completely while taking estrogen, and it only returns once they stop the medication.

    Changes in Sexuality

    • A change in sexuality is one of the more common side effects associated with taking estrogen. Users often notice a decrease in libido, but an increase is also possible. The medication changes the estrogen levels in the body, which typically makes a person change her feelings towards sex. Those who have the most problems often seek professional help to get their sex drives back on track. Some women also feel a decrease because they have problems coping with their new body.

    Body Changes

    • Changes to the body are another side effect of taking estrogen. One common side effect is a rash that appears on the body, which can also be a sign of an allergic reaction. Other users have seen dark brown patches turn up on their skin. These patches are usually located around the face. Individuals also see changes associated with their breasts, as the breasts enlarge while on the medication. They may feel some pain associated with the change in their breasts.

    Blood Clots

    • Blood clots are one of the more unusual side effects associated with estrogen, as this only appears in a small number of patients. The most common blood clot is seen in the leg, but clots in the lung are also possible. Users who smoke have a higher risk for developing blood clots and doctors warn their patients about this danger early on. The blood clot is identified by intense cramps, blood in the mucus and unexplained pain in the leg or chest.

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