Side Effects of Estrogen

Bloatedness, breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting are symptoms associated with high levels of oestrogen, and are not uncommon when starting treatment. If they have not settled after the first two or three months the oestrogen dose may need lowering. These symptoms are more common in women who start HRT while still menstruating and will tend to occur at times when their ovaries are producing normal amounts of hormones. As a result of this conflict of HRT and the body’s own production of hormones, women who start HRT before their natural periods have ceased are more likely to experience side effects and irregular bleeding than post­menopausal women.