Recent research suggests that progesterone may be very helpful in controlling this unpleasant side effect. If you are having very troublesome hot flushes do not hesitate to discuss some of these treatments with your doctor. Although nausea is quite common initially it usually wears off after a few weeks. Weight gain can be a side effect of tamoxifen and this is often due to water retention. Women who have not yet reached the menopause may notice their monthly periods change - they may become irregular, lighter or sometimes stop altogether.
Some women also notice an increase in vaginal discharge and vulval itching.
Less common side effects include depression, tiredness and dizziness. Often a short stay in hospital is necessary until the calcium levels have been reduced. Like most drugs, tamoxifen should not be taken during pregnancy. Even though it can affect a woman's periods tamoxifen is not a contraceptive, so reliable contraception must be used. Tamoxifen can increase the effect of the drug warfarin, used to thin the blood in people prone to blood clots.