The Effects of Injecting Estrogen

Estrogen injection is prescribed for menopausal women with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, itching and burning, according to Medline Plus. It is also prescribed for younger women with low estrogen levels. In some cases, injecting estrogen can be effective in treating the symptoms of prostate cancer in men. Furthermore, it is sometimes used for women with abnormal vaginal bleeding that is a result of problems in hormone levels. Though it can be an effective treatment, injecting estrogen can have serious side effects.

• Many women can benefit from estrogen injections, though they do carry certain risks.

Labeling

• The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers of estrogen and estrogen plus progestin products to include certain warnings on their labels. According to the FDA, postmenopausal women taking estrogen plus progestin products are at higher risks of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, blood clots and dementia (in women over 65).

Side Effects

• According to Medline Plus, estrogen injections may cause side effects, including breast pain or tenderness, upset stomach, weight fluctuations, dizziness, depression, changes in libido, hair loss or unwanted hair growth, leg cramps and vaginal irritation. If you experience severe or persistent side effects while taking estrogen injections, contact your doctor.

Important

• Though some side effects are common, but not potentially serious, Medline Plus encourages women experiencing these side effects to call their doctor immediately: bulging eyes, yellowing discoloration of the skin or eyes, swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, loss of appetite, pain or tenderness in your stomach, weakness, pain in your joints, difficulty controlling movements, rash, hives, blisters or itching.

Dosage

• The FDA encourages women to take estrogen and progestin for the shortest duration at the lowest dosage necessary to reach their goals. Women taking estrogen injections should regularly discuss their progress with their doctors and determine when the medicine is no longer necessary.

Precautions

• Your doctor and pharmacist need to know about any allergies you have to any medications or any of the ingredients in the estrogen injection, as well as all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and supplements (vitamins, nutritional or herbal products) you are currently taking or plan to use while taking the estrogen injection.

  You need to tell your doctor about any previous experiences of yellowed skin or eyes during pregnancy or estrogen treatments, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, asthma, migraines, seizures, porphryia, excessively high or low blood calcium levels, or liver, thyroid, pancreatic, gallbladder or kidney disease.

  Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant while taking the estrogen injection. If you miss an injection appointment, contact your doctor immediately, though it is best to stay on schedule. Discuss with your doctor whether it is safe to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while being treated with this medicine.