Estradiol Side Effects

Common side effects of estradiol are listed below. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or persistent after a few days:

• Headache
• Breast pain
• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Fluid retention and bloating
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Mood changes, anxiety, irritability, depression, sleep problems
• Weight gain
• Darkening of the facial skin
• Thinning scalp hair

Estradiol can also cause more serious side effects. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects or seek emergency medical attention if you develop:

• Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, such as skin rash, hives, itching, blisters, peeling
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Signs and symptoms of blood clots such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain, swelling, or warmth in one or both legs
• Changes in your breasts, such as pain, lumps, redness, or nipple discharge
• Signs and symptoms of gallbladder problems, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
• Signs and symptoms of liver injury, such as nausea, vomiting, right upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, light-colored stools, dark urine, fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Signs and symptoms of a vaginal infection or vaginal irritation (vaginal itching, burning, discharge, odor, redness, or swelling)
• Pelvic pain or unusual vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Breakthrough bleeding between menstrual periods

The above list may not include all the potential adverse effects of estradiol. Contact your healthcare professional if the side effects are unusual or severe or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Estradiol Overdose: In case of an overdose, call your doctor immediately. You can also call your local poison control center or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has collapsed, or has had a seizure, call 911. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, fatigue, breast pain, and unusual vaginal bleeding.

Source: FDA