Contraindications
No absolute contraindications of HT have been established. However, relative contraindications exist in certain clinical situations, such as patients with the following findings:
A history of breast cancer *
A history of endometrial cancer *
Porphyria
Severe active liver disease
Hypertriglyceridemia
Thromboembolic disorders
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Endometriosis
Fibroids
* Note that many clinicians do not prescribe HT for women with a previous history of breast or endometrial cancer.
Adverse effects and risks
Possible transient adverse effects are as follows:
Nausea
Bloating, weight gain (equivocal finding), fluid retention
Mood swings (associated with use of relatively androgenic progestogens)
Breakthrough bleeding
Breast tenderness