esterified estrogens/methyltestosterone

• Risk factors: Personal or family history of blood clots | High blood pressure | Diabetes | High cholesterol | Smoking tobacco | Considered obese | Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) | Taking high doses of Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone)

Medications containing estrogen like Estratest can raise the risk of blood clots. These blood clots block blood flow to different parts of the body, like the leg, lungs, heart, or brain. Some clots can lead to dangerous complications, such as heart attack or stroke. What's more, the other ingredient in Estratest called methyltestosterone, can also raise this risk.

Before starting Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone), ask your prescriber if it's safe for you. There are many things that can raise your risk for blood clots, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Be sure you know the signs and symptoms of a blood clot, heart attack, and stroke.

• Blood clot: swelling, pain, or tenderness in the arm or leg; skin that's warm to the touch; chest pain; cough; trouble breathing
• Heart attack: chest pain traveling to the arm, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; cold sweat; dizziness
• Stroke: sudden weakness on one side of the body, drooping face, bad headache, changes in speech or vision, confusion

Stop taking Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) and get medical help right away if you have any signs or symptoms of a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke.

• Risk factors: Personal or family history of breast cancer | Breast nodules | Abnormal mammograms (breast scans) | Taking Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) for a long period of time

It's not clear if taking estrogen therapy like Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) during menopause can raise the risk of breast cancer. But studies in animals suggest that the risk might go up if you take it for a long time.

To lower your risk, your prescriber will make sure you're taking the lowest dose for the shortest time needed to help with your symptoms. Regularly check your breasts often for any changes and get breast scans (mammograms) on time. Let your prescriber know if you notice anything unusual with the shape, size, or color of your breasts.

• Risk factors: Taking estrogens without a progestin | People with a healthy uterus | Taking estrogen therapy for a long time | Higher estrogen dose

Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) is an estrogen medication. Estrogens can thicken and change the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium. If you have a healthy uterus, the lining can grow too much with estrogen therapy. This can lead to uterine cancer, or endometrial cancer. The risk is higher if you take estrogen therapy without another hormone called progestin to balance out the effect on the uterine lining.

Be aware of the warning signs of uterine cancer, like vaginal bleeding that doesn't go away or keeps coming back. Tell your prescriber if you notice any unusual vaginal bleeding. If you're worried about uterine cancer, ask your prescriber if you need to take another medication called a progestin to help lower your risk.

Don't take estrogen therapy like Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) if you're pregnant or could be pregnant. This medication can harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. For example, there's a small chance of birth defects. And baby girls might be at higher risk of vaginal or cervical cancer later in life. The methyltestosterone can also cause baby girls to develop male-like genital features. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, tell your prescriber right away.

• Risk factors: History of liver problems or jaundice | High doses of methyltestosterone

Estrogens can raise the risk of liver damage and gallbladder problems. And taking methyltestosterone for a long time can lead to serious liver problems. Tell your prescriber if you've had jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes) before to make sure Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) is safe for you.

Stop taking this medication and talk to your prescriber if you have jaundice, stomach pain, light-colored stool, or dark urine. These can be signs of liver damage or gallbladder disease.

• Risk factors: Heart failure | Kidney or liver problems

Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) can make your body hold extra fluid. This can cause swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet. The risk of problems from fluid retention is higher if you have heart failure or certain kidney or liver conditions. Fluid retention can also make some health problems worse. These can include seizures, migraines, and certain heart or kidney conditions. Tell your prescriber if you notice swelling in the hands or feet while taking Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone).

• Risk factors: Breast cancer | Cancer that has spread to the bones | Kidney problems

Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) can cause you to have high calcium levels. The risk for severely high calcium is higher if you have breast cancer or cancer that's spread to the bones.

Tell your prescriber if you have constipation, feel more thirsty, urinate more, have weak muscles, feel tired, or have bone pain. These can be signs of high calcium levels. Your prescriber will probably check your calcium levels through blood tests. If your levels are too high, you might need to stop this medication.

Estratest (esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone) might affect how your body processes sugars. Let your prescriber know if you have diabetes. And tell your diabetes care team you're taking this medication. Ask them how often you should check your blood sugar at home. If you take diabetes medications, your prescriber might adjust your doses to help keep your sugar under control.