What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using conjugated estrogens?
You should not use conjugated estrogens if you have:
- unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
- liver disease;
- a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
- an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder; or
- a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.
Do not use conjugated estrogens if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control if you are not past menopause. Tell your doctor if you think you may be pregnant.
Conjugated estrogens vaginal cream can weaken the latex of a condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap. Talk to your doctor about the best birth control methods to use.
Using conjugated estrogens can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, if you are overweight, or if you smoke.
Estrogen should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia, because this medicine may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- a hysterectomy;
- heart disease;
- liver problems, or jaundice caused by pregnancy or taking hormones;
- kidney disease;
- gallbladder disease;
- asthma;
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
- migraines;
- lupus;
- endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;
- hereditary angioedema;
- porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);
- a thyroid disorder; or
- high levels of calcium in your blood.
Using conjugated estrogens may increase your risk of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries. Talk with your doctor about this risk.
Estrogen lowers the hormone needed to produce breast milk and can slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.