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Menostar Side Effects
Accidental injury, bronchitis, and a milky white vaginal discharge are among the common side effects reported with Menostar. Side effects of the medication are minor in most cases and generally either do not require medical attention or can be treated easily. Rare but serious side effects of Menostar that should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately include heavy vaginal bleeding, migraines, and breast lumps.
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As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Menostar® (estradiol patch). However, not everyone who uses the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most women tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Menostar. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Menostar side effects with you.)
Menostar has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking the drug were documented and then compared to the side effects that occurred in another group of people taking a placebo (a patch without any active ingredients). As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects with Menostar included:
- Accidental injury -- in up to 14 percent of women
- Joint pain -- up to 12 percent
- A milky white vaginal discharge -- up to 11 percent
- Cervical polyps -- up to 6 percent
- Bronchitis -- up to 6 percent
- Constipation -- up to 5 percent
- Muscle pain -- up to 5 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 5 percent.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD