Estrogens are known to increase the risk of blood clots in women who have a history of blood clotting disorders. Some women experience puffiness and breast tenderness with estrogen therapy. Although a small weight gain can be experienced on estrogen therapy, it is usually not more than a few pounds. There is a legitimate concern about estrogen therapy causing uterine cancer if it is taken without adequate progesterone therapy in women with an intact uterus. However, this risk is easily alleviated by adding progesterone therapy as discussed above.
Estrogens can cause blood pressure elevation.
Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure while on these medications. They do not alleviate most of the symptoms of menopause, however they do help to prevent and treat osteoporosis and to alter the lipid profile, lessening the risk factors for heart disease. One such product now widely prescribed is raloxifene. Many women like this aspect of SERM therapy. Another approach to the loss of estrogen production is to take only a drug which prevents osteoporosis if your doctor believes you are at risk for this.