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What are the side effects of Cenestin?

Cenestin (generic name synthetic conjugated estrogens) is a form of the hormone estrogen used for treating the symptoms of menopause. It's made from soy and yam plants. Its most common side effects are headaches and trouble sleeping. Other side effects include nausea, breast tenderness, fluid retention, and breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Your doctor can adjust your dose to minimize the chance of side effects. Taking Cenestin with food can help prevent nausea.

If you have a history of breast cancer or blood clots, check with your doctor before taking Cenestin. Pregnant women shouldn't take this medicine.

Unless it's combined with the hormone progesterone, estrogen replacement therapy can increase a woman's risk of developing cancer of the uterus. Estrogen may also increase the risk of breast cancer. You should discuss the risks and benefits of estrogen therapy with your doctor. It's important for you to decide together with your doctor if Cenestin is right for you.

Sources:
Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.
Cenestin product information. Duramed/Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2006.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Medline plus. Medline, 2006.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.

This answer prepared 10/26/2000.
This information updated 2/7/2007.