Common (in 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 users):
Occasional (in 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 users):
Mood swings
Weight gain
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Rare (in fewer than 1 in 1,000 users):
Serious but rare side effects: In rare cases, these side effects can lead to severe conditions, such as thrombosis or severe allergic reactions. Always contact the prescribing doctor immediately in such situations.
For a complete list of side effects, see the leaflet.
Risks of hormone replacement therapy
If you still have a uterus, oestrogen must be combined with progesterone/progestogen, as using oestrogen alone increases the risk of uterine cancer.
The use of medication carries risks, and this also applies to menopausal hormone replacement therapy. For tablets or capsules containing oestrogen and progesterone/progestogen, the following risks apply:
A slightly increased risk of thrombosis, strokes, and gallbladder problems.
Rarely, but an increased risk of breast cancer. This risk appears to increase the longer you use the medication (over 5 years).
Recent studies indicate that menopausal hormone replacement therapy (when started before the age of 60) can have protective effects in addition to its risks. This includes protection against certain types of cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes.