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SIDE EFFECTS OF ESTRADIOL
Estradiol, like other sex steroids, is usually derived from
cholesterol. After side chain cleavage and utilizing the
delta-5 pathway or the delta-4 pathway androstenedione is
the key mediator. Androstenedione is either converted to
testosterone, which in turn undergoes aromatization to
estradiol, or, otherwise, androstenedione is aromatized to
estrone, which is converted to estradiol.
While on Estradiol any side effects arising should be
reported to your prescriber or health care professional as
soon as possible. The following are some of the side effects
that arise from using estradiol: breakthrough bleeding and
spotting, breast enlargement, tenderness, unusual discharge
or milk production, chest pain, leg, arm or groin pain,
nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, stomach or abdominal
pain (severe), sudden shortness of breath, swelling of the
hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain, vision or
speech problems, yellowing of the eyes or skin.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention
but if they are bothering consult your physician: change in
sexual desire, mild stomach upset, mood changes,
anxiety,
depression, frustration, anger, or emotional outbursts,
increased or decreased appetite, skin rash, acne, or brown
spots on the face, tiredness,
vaginal yeast infection
(irritation and
white discharge)
and
weight gain.
An estrogen such as Estradiol is not indicated for use by
pregnant women or while breast-feeding a newborn baby.
Estrogens are not effective for the prevention or treatment
of threatened or habitual abortion. Estrogens are not
indicated for the prevention of postpartum breast
enlargement. Estrogen therapy during
pregancy is associated
with an increased risk of congenital defects in the
reproductive organs of the fetus, and perhaps other birth
defects. Studies of women who received diethylstilbestrol
(DES) during pregnancy have shown that female offspring have
a much increased risk of vaginal adenosis, squamous cell
dysplasia of the uterine cervix, and clear cell vaginal
cancer later in life and male offspring have an increased
risk of urogenital abnormalities and possibly testicular
cancer later in life.
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