Conjugated Estrogens Topical Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 3, 2025.

Applies to conjugated estrogens topical: vaginal cream.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects. Pelvic exam, breast exam, and mammogram (breast x-ray) may be needed to check for unwanted effects, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. This medicine may cause latex or rubber condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps to break. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Using this medication may increase your risk of, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, or uterine cancer. Talk with your doctor about this risk. If you still have your uterus (womb), ask your doctor if you should also use a progestin medicine. Check with your doctor immediately if your experience abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of dementia, especially in women 65 years of age and older.

Using this medicine may increase your risk for having blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks. This risk may continue even after you stop using the medicine. Your risk for these serious problems is even greater if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol in your blood, diabetes or are overweight or smoke cigarettes. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience confusion, difficulty speaking, double vision, headaches, an inability to move arms, legs or facial muscle, or an inability to speak.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine before you have surgery or if you need to stay in bed for an extended time. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Check with your doctor immediately if, severe headache or sudden loss of vision or any other change in vision occurs while you are using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (e.g., St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, conjugated estrogens topical may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking conjugated estrogens topical:

Other side effects

Some side effects of conjugated estrogens topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to conjugated estrogens topical: vaginal cream, vaginal cream with applicator.

Genitourinary adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Breast pain, leukorrhea, dysuria, vaginal hemorrhage, vaginal moniliasis, vaginitis, vulvovaginal disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast enlargement, urinary urgency
• Postmarketing reports: Abnormal uterine bleeding or spotting, dysmenorrhea or pelvic pain, increase in size of uterine leiomyomata, change in cervical secretion, cystitis-like syndrome, application site reactions of vulvovaginal discomfort (including burning, irritation, and genital pruritus), endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, precocious puberty, breast tenderness, breast discharge, fibrocystic breast changes, breast cancer, gynecomastia in males^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Vasodilation
• Postmarketing reports: Deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, increase in blood pressure^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness
• Postmarketing reports: Stroke, migraine, dementia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Postmarketing reports: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Acne, pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Chloasma that may persist when drug is discontinued, loss of scalp hair, hirsutism, rash^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Moniliasis, pain
• Postmarketing reports: Increase or decrease in weight, edema^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Postmarketing reports: Mental depression, mood disturbances, nervousness, irritability, changes in libido^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary embolism, exacerbation of asthma^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle cramp
• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgias, leg cramps^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Increased incidence of gallbladder disease^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Postmarketing reports: Glucose intolerance, increased triglycerides^[Ref]

Ocular

• Postmarketing reports: Retinal vascular thrombosis, intolerance to contact lenses^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Conjugated estrogens topical side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer