Estrogen Side Effects

There are six different estrogenic substances that have been identified in women, but only 3 are actually present in large amounts: estrone, estradiol, and estriol. E-1 Estrone is the most potent of the three and is the major estrogen produced by the ovaries. E-2 17beta Estratiol is the most prevalent and is naturally modified to estrone, which is then turned into E-3 estriol, the least potent of the three. All of the estrogens listed will produce equal effects and side effects when their doses are equal, taking their various potencies into account. More potent medicines require a smaller dose to produce the same effect. E-2 is the most prevalent estrogen produced by the ovaries prior to menopause.

Estrogens are natural body substances with specific effects on the human body, including growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system and all female sex characteristics. They promote growth and development of all parts of the reproductive system and breasts; the affect the release of hormones from the pituitary gland that controls the opening of the capillaries; they can cause fluid retention; they affect protein breakdown in the body; they prevent ovulation and breast engorgement in women after giving birth; and they continue in the shaping and maintenance of the skeleton through their influence on calcium in the body.

The most common estrogen side effects include enlargement or tenderness of the breasts (both sexes), swelling of the ankles and legs, loss of appetite, weight changes, retention of water, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and feeling of bloated ness. The estrogen patch can cause skin rash, irritation, and redness at the patch site.

The risk of cancer of the uterus increases when estrogen is used for a long time or taken in large doses. There also may be a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in women who take estrogen. Women who take estrogen after menopause are more likely to develop gallbladder disease. estrogen also increases the risk of blood clots. These blood clots can cause stroke, heart attack, or other serious disorders.

Some of the estrogen side effects that need immediate medical attention are listed below:

• Abdominal pain, tenderness, or swelling
• Abnormal bleeding of the vagina
• Breast lumps
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty with speech
• Pain in your chest or calves
• Severe headache, dizziness, or faintness
• Skin irritation, redness, or rash
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Vision changes
• Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes

Less common estrogen side effects are bleeding gums, breakthrough vaginal bleeding, vaginal spotting, changes in menstrual flow, painful menstruation. pre-menstrual syndrome, no menstrual period during and after estrogen use, enlargement of uterine fibroids, vaginal infection with Candida, a cystitis-like syndrome, mild diarrhea, jaundice or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, rash, loss of scalp hair, and development of new hairy areas. Lesions of the eye and contact-lens intolerance have also been associated with estrogen therapy. You may experience migraine headache, mild dizziness, depression, and increased sex drive (women) or decreased sex drive (men).

Rare estrogen side effects include stroke, blood-clot formation, dribbling or sudden passage of urine, loss of coordination, chest pains, leg pains, difficulty breathing, slurred speech, and vision changes. Men who receive large estrogen doses as part of the treatment for prostate cancer are at a greater risk for heart attack, phlebitis, and blood clots in the lungs.

Here is a chart specifying various estrogen side effects:

It is recommended that whichever form of estrogen you choose, Spironolactone should be taken as addition. Spironolactone is used in gender treatment as it causes swelling of the breasts and reduces male pattern body hair. It is also recommended to take Finasteride, which is an anti-androgen. This lowers the level of male hormones allowing the estrogen to work more effectively, and also has a noticeable side effect - it stimulates the growth of hair on your head!