*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Side Effects Of Oestrogen Tablets Patches Gel And Spray

NHS medicines information on side effects of oestrogen tablets, patches gel and spray, and what you can do to cope.

Like all medicines, oestrogen tablets, patches, gel and spray can cause side effects, but it's common to have no side effects or only minor ones.

Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.

If you're also taking a progestogen medicine, some side effects may be caused by the progestogen. Check the leaflets that come with both your medicines.

Common side effects

These common side effects of oestrogen tablets, patches, gel and spray happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from oestrogen are rare.

Call a doctor or call 111 for advice now if you have pain, redness or swelling in one of your legs, usually in your calf - this could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Speak to a GP if you have:

a lump or changes in your breasts, especially dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple or any lumps you can see or feel - this could be a sign of breast cancer
any changes in vaginal bleeding after you have been taking oestrogen for more than a few months - this could be a sign of womb cancer

It's important to attend your breast screening (mammogram) appointments while you're taking HRT.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

you have pain in your chest and breathlessness - this could be a sign of a blood clot in your lungs (pulmonary embolism) or heart problems
you have difficulty speaking or moving your arm or leg, or your face has dropped on one side - this could be a sign of a stroke

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to oestrogen.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of oestrogen tablets, patches, gel and spray. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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