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Common Side Effects After Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

You may have side effects from your treatment. The side effects of hormone treatment tend to be less severe than those caused by chemotherapy. In fact, some women have only a few side effects. And they get better with time. Here’s a list of some common side effects. They are listed in alphabetical order. You should talk with your doctor about which ones are most likely to happen to you.

  • Blood clots

  • Cataracts in the eyes

  • Constipation

  • Cough

  • Diarrhea

  • Fatigue

  • Hot flashes

  • Irregular periods

  • Joint, back, or bone pain

  • Mood swings

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Osteoporosis

  • Stroke

  • Vaginal discharge or irritation

  • Weight gain

Everyone doesn’t have the same side effects. Make sure you tell your doctor or nurse about all your responses. Tell them even if the response seems small. You may take hormone treatment for a long time. If you don’t have side effects treated, they may last for the whole time you’re treated.

Also, always talk with your doctor about any alternative treatments you might want to try. Some of them can keep your treatment from working like it should.

Online Medical Reviewer: Gemignani, Mary L. MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Stump-Sutliff, Kim RN, MSN, AOCNS
Last Annual Review Date: 4/21/2008