estradiol tablet

• Risk factors: Using estradiol tablet without progestin for people with a uterus | Long-term use of estradiol tablet

Vaginal bleeding after menopause can be a sign of uterine (endometrial) cancer, so tell your prescriber right away if you notice any unusual bleeding. Using estrogen medications like estradiol tablet for more than a year can raise this risk. If you still have your uterus, your prescriber might add another hormone called a progestin to help lower this risk. That's because progestin balances out estrogen's effects by slowing the growth of your uterine lining.

• Risk factors: Personal or family history of breast cancer | Using estradiol tablet and progestin together | Long-term use of estradiol tablet

Taking estrogens like estradiol tablet together with progestins can raise your risk of breast cancer. The risk goes up the longer you use this combination, so it’s best to take estradiol tablet for the shortest time needed. Call your prescriber right away if you notice breast changes such as lumps, pain, or swelling.

• Risk factors: History of blood clots or stroke | Postmenopausal women using estrogen products | Using estradiol tablet with or without progestin | Obesity | History of lupus | Inactivity

Estradiol tablet can raise your risk of blood clots. This can be very serious and lead to a stroke, a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or a blood clot in the legs (deep vein thrombosis). Share your full medical history with your prescriber before starting estradiol tablet to help lower your risk. Call 911 or get emergency help right away if you have chest pain, pain in your legs or arms, sudden severe headaches, trouble breathing, or sudden changes in speech or vision.

• Risk factors: History of heart attack | Heart disease | High blood pressure | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Obesity | Smoking tobacco

Estradiol tablet shouldn't be used alone or with a progestin to try to prevent heart disease. In fact, taking estrogens like estradiol tablet can raise your risk of a heart attack. If you have any signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, chest tightness, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, or a fast heartbeat, get emergency help right away.

• Risk factors: Age over 65 | Using estradiol tablet alone or with progestin

People over 65 who use estrogen products like estradiol tablet have a higher risk of developing dementia. If you or your loved ones notice memory problems, confusion, anxiety, or trouble making decisions, tell your prescriber right away.

• Risk factors: History of or current liver problems

Estradiol tablet can sometimes cause gallbladder problems, and some people have needed surgery to remove their gallbladder after starting this medication. Call your prescriber or get medical help if you have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting that doesn’t go away, fever, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Estradiol tablet is broken down by your liver, so if your liver isn't working well, you might have more side effects. You shouldn't take this medication if you currently have or have ever had liver problems, including liver issues during a past pregnancy.

A blood clot in the eye, called retinal vascular thrombosis, can occur in people taking estrogen products like estradiol tablet. Stop taking this medication and call your prescriber right away if you suddenly lose vision in one or both eyes, or if you notice bulging eyes, double vision, or migraines.

• Risk factors: History of high triglycerides

Estradiol tablet can raise your triglyceride levels, which can lead to serious problems like inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Your prescriber might order regular blood tests to watch for this while you're taking estradiol tablet. If you experience sudden stomach or back pain, nausea, vomiting, sudden weight loss, or a fast heart rate, contact your provider or seek medical care right away.

• Risk factors: Low thyroid hormone levels

Estradiol tablet can change the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood. If you take medications for low thyroid hormone levels, you might need a higher dose of thyroid replacement therapy. Your prescriber might order regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels.

• Risk factors: History of heart or kidney problems

Using estrogen products, like estradiol tablet, can sometimes cause your body to hold on to extra fluid, called edema. This is more likely if you have heart problems, like congestive heart failure, or kidney damage. If you notice unusual swelling in any part of your body or if you suddenly gain weight over a short period of time, let your prescriber know.

• Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Cancer that has spread to the bones

Taking estradiol tablet can sometimes cause very high calcium in women with breast cancer that has spread to the bones. Signs of high calcium include feeling very thirsty, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, muscle weakness, or confusion. Tell your prescriber if you have any of these symptoms because you might have to stop taking this medication.

Take estradiol tablet carefully if you have low parathyroid hormone levels (hypoparathyroidism). This condition affects the glands in the back of your neck and lowers your calcium levels. Let your prescriber know if you have signs of low calcium, such as burning or tingling of your fingers, toes, or lips, muscle pain and cramps, or confusion.

• Risk factors: History of asthma or diabetes | History of lupus | History of seizures or migraines | Taking other medications that can cause seizures

If you have certain conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, talk to your prescriber before taking estradiol tablet. Estrogen products can sometimes make these conditions worse by raising your blood sugar or triggering asthma attacks.