Side Effects of Estrogen Therapy

The estrogen hormone is a group of compounds called steroids. The name estrogen is derived from the important role it plays in the estrus cycle. Although estrogen is a female sex hormonal agent it can be found in men and women, but it is especially prevalent in women who are of the reproductive age. Estrogen helps women to develop breasts, thicken the endometrial, regulate the discharge of hormones from the pituitary gland and regulate the menstrual cycle.

There are six estrogenic substances in a woman’s body, but three of them, estrone, estratiol and estriol, do most of the work. Estrone is the most powerful estrogen and is produced by the ovary. Estratiol is the most common estrogen and is produced by the ovary before the menopausal stage. It is adapted to estrone. Estriol is the least powerful of the main three estrogenic substances.

When estrogen hormones are obtained they have a similar results and side effects that naturally produced estrogen causes. Females who are currently pregnant shouldn’t takeestrogen because this can lead to a miscarriage or can severely harm the developing fetus. Many senior women take the estrogen hormone after menopause. However, the risks and negative side effects of taking estrogen increase with age. The list of side effects is quite long and can provide some negative consequences.

Some of the most common side effects of taking estrogen include:

- Inflammation of the ankles and legs;
- Softness of the breast, in both men and women;
- Sudden changes in weight;
- Lesser cravings for food;
- Vomiting;
- Nausea;
- Skin Irritation.
- Abdominal pains;

Other side effects that are not as common include:

- Vaginal bleeding and spotting;
- Bleeding gums;
- Painful menstruation;
- Changes in menstrual flow;
- Vaginal infection such as Candida;
- PMS or the pre-menstrual syndrome;
- Loss of scalp hair;
- Diarrhea;
- Faintness;
- Migraines;
- Despair;
- Decreased sexual desires;
- Increased sexual desires;

Rare but serious side effects include:

- Sudden feeling to urinate;
- Blood clotting;
- Changes in vision;
- Unclear speech;
- Breathlessness.

When taking estrogen hormones it is important to realize what the negative consequences could be. You will need to determine when the advantages outweigh the risks or if you are simply not willing to take the risks.

Women who have an estrogen imbalance generally have an irregular menstrual cycle. This is very worrisome to many women so they often take estrogen hormones simply to balance out the hormones. It is important for women to maintain this balance in order to prevent some more serious consequences later in life. However, balancing out these hormones may bring about negative side effects that many women simply do not want to experience. Balancing hormones is always a tricky situation that needs to be carefully assessed.