CombiPatch

Using estrogen may also increase your chances of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and gallbladder disease.

Use estrogen with caution if you have severely low blood levels of calcium (hypocalcemia).

Tell your doctor if you've ever had liver problems, thyroid problems, or visions problems. Using estrogen could make these conditions worse. Other conditions that could worsen during estrogen therapy include asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, migraine, or the genetic disorder porphyria. Be sure your doctor is aware of any medical problems you have.

Hormone therapy occasionally causes a rise in blood pressure. If you have a blood pressure problem, use CombiPatch with caution and have your pressure checked regularly.

Hormones also tend to cause fluid retention. If you have a condition that could be aggravated by excess fluid such as asthma, epilepsy, migraine headaches, heart disease, or kidney problems use CombiPatch with caution.

If you suffer from endometriosis, a condition where the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) doesn't shed properly and attaches to the outside of the uterus or other areas such as the ovaries or bowels, hormone therapy may cause a worsening of this condition.

Because estrogen can increase triglyceride levels, you'll need to be closely monitored if your triglycerides tend to be high. If you have diabetes, CombiPatch may also affect your blood sugar levels.

Estrogen therapy occasionally causes abnormal uterine bleeding or breast pain. In view of concerns about cancer, you should have these symptoms checked by your doctor. In general, you should not take estrogen for more than 1 year without a follow-up physical exam. Ideally, you should have a checkup every 3 to 6 months.

Let your doctor know if you're going to have surgery or will be on bed rest; you may need to stop taking estrogens.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking CombiPatch

The manufacturer has not reported interactions.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Estrogens such as the one in CombiPatch should not be used during pregnancy. They pose a danger of birth defects, particularly in the reproductive tract.

The hormones in CombiPatch do appear in breast milk and may affect its quantity and quality. You should avoid taking them while breastfeeding unless it's absolutely necessary.