The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Migraines
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Vaginal spotting/breakthrough bleeding
- Weight changes
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- High blood pressure
- Eye problems
- More vaginal discharge than usual
- Nipple pain
- Bloating
- Mood changes
Menest serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart attack: chest pain or tightness, shortness or breath, sweating, nausea, pain that radiates up to your shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw
- Stroke: sudden trouble talking or walking, numbness on one side of your body or face, severe headache, dizziness, confusion
- Blood clot: chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fast heart rate, swelling, pain, or redness in the arms or legs
- Cancer: lumps, pain, swelling, or changes in the breasts; swollen lymph nodes, unusual or heavy vaginal bleeding, bloating, extreme tiredness, stomach-area pain
Source: DailyMed
The following Menest side effects have also been reported
Women rarely have severe side effects from taking estrogens to replace estrogen. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor:
The prolonged use of estrogens has been reported to increase the risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) in women after menopause. This risk seems to increase as the dose and the length of use increase. When estrogens are used in low doses for less than 1 year, there is less risk. The risk is also reduced if a progestin (another female hormone) is added to, or replaces part of, your estrogen dose. If the uterus has been removed by surgery (total hysterectomy), there is no risk of endometrial cancer.
Although the incidence is low, the use of estrogens may increase you chance of getting cancer of the breast. Breast cancer has been reported in men taking estrogens.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
The following side effects may be caused by blood clots, which could lead to stroke, heart attack, or death. These side effects occur rarely, and, when they do occur, they occur in men treated for cancer using high doses of estrogens.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Breast pain (in females and males)
fast heartbeat
hoarseness
increased breast size (in females and males)
irritation of the skin
itching of the skin
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
rash
redness of the skin
shortness of breath
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
swelling of the feet and lower legs
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing or swallowing
weight gain (rapid)
Less common or rare
Changes in vaginal bleeding (spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or heavier bleeding, or complete stoppage of bleeding)
chills
heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
lumps in, or discharge from, breast (in females and males)
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen
yellow eyes or skin
Rare
for males being treated for breast or prostate cancer only
Headache (sudden or severe)
loss of coordination (sudden)
loss of vision or change of vision (sudden)
pains in the chest, groin, or leg, especially in the calf of leg
shortness of breath (sudden and unexplained)
slurring of speech (sudden)
weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach bloating
abdominal or stomach cramps
acid or sour stomach
backache
belching
blindness
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blue-yellow color blindness
blurred vision
change in vaginal discharge
changes in skin color
changes in vision
chest discomfort
clay-colored stools
clear or bloody discharge from nipple
confusion
convulsions
dark urine
decrease in the amount of urine
decreased vision
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with speaking
dimpling of the breast skin
dizziness
double vision
fainting
fluid-filled skin blisters
full feeling in upper abdomen or stomach
full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
headache
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
incoherent speech
increased urination
indigestion
inverted nipple
irregular heartbeats
light-colored stools
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
lump under the arm
metallic taste
migraine headache
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
muscle weakness
noisy breathing
numbness or tingling of the hands, feet, or face
pain in the ankles or knees
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
pain or feeling of pressure in the pelvis
pain, tenderness, swelling of the foot or leg
painful or tender cysts in the breasts
painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
partial or complete loss of vision in the eye
pelvic pain
persistent crusting or scaling of nipple
pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
prominent superficial veins over affected area
red, irritated eyes
redness or swelling of the breast
sensitivity to the sun
severe headaches of sudden onset
skin thinness
skin warmth
slow speech
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
sudden loss of consciousness
sudden loss of coordination
sudden onset of shortness of breath for no apparent reason
sudden onset of slurred speech
sudden vision changes
swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
swelling of the fingers or hands
thirst
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
vomiting of blood
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material
accidental injury
bladder pain
bloated full feeling
bloody or cloudy urine
body aches or pain
coating or white patches on tongue
congestion
cough producing mucus
decrease in amount of urine
difficult, burning, or painful urination
discouragement
dryness of the throat
ear congestion or pain
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
fear
feeling of warmth
feeling sad or empty
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache, severe and throbbing
increased clear or white vaginal discharge
irritability
itching of the vaginal, rectal or genital areas
lack of appetite
lack or loss of strength
loss of interest or pleasure
mild dizziness
neck pain
nervousness
pain during sexual intercourse
painful or difficult urination
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
passing gas
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
skin irritation or redness where skin patch was worn
shivering
sore mouth or tongue
sudden sweating
tender, swollen glands in the neck
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
tiredness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
voice changes
Less common
Blemishes on the skin
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
burning or stinging of the skin
diarrhea (mild)
difficulty with moving
dizziness (mild)
increased hair growth, especially on the face
lower abdominal or stomach pain or pressure
mood or mental changes
muscle stiffness
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
pounding in the ears
problems in wearing contact lenses
slow heartbeat
tooth or gum pain
unusual decrease in sexual desire (in males)
unusual increase in sexual desire (in females)
white or brownish vaginal discharge
Incidence not known
Abnormal turning out of cervix
changes in appetite
dull ache or feeling of pressure or heaviness in the legs
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
increased hunger
irritability
large amount of triglyceride in the blood
leg cramps
patchy brown or dark brown discoloration of the skin
poor insight and judgment
problems with memory or speech
trouble recognizing objects
trouble thinking and planning
trouble walking
twitching, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
Also, many women who are taking estrogens with a progestin (another female hormone) will start having monthly vaginal bleeding, similar to menstrual periods, again. This effect will continue for as long as the medicine is taken. However, monthly bleeding will not occur in women who have had the uterus removed by surgery (total hysterectomy).
This medicine may cause loss or thinning of the scalp hair in some people.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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