Precautions
Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, certain cancers (e.g., breast cancer, cancer of the uterus or ovaries), current/history of blood clots, history of stroke or heart attack, liver disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: family medical history (especially breast lumps and cancer), asthma, diabetes, seizures, migraine headaches, heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, congestive heart failure), kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), a certain hormone problem (hypoparathyroidism), mineral imbalance (low or high levels of calcium in the blood), mental/mood disorders (e.g., dementia, depression), high blood pressure during pregnancy (toxemia), yellowing eyes/skin (cholestatic jaundice) during pregnancy or with past estrogen use, uterus tissue problems (e.g., uterine fibroids, endometriosis), high levels of blood fats (cholesterol, triglycerides), gallbladder disease, obesity, certain blood disorder (porphyria), lupus. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. If you wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur. This drug may cause a patchy darkening of the skin on the face (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this darkening. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Wait 1 hour after applying this medication before applying sunscreen to the same area of skin. Do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco. Estrogens combined with smoking further increase your risk for stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attacks, especially in women older than 35. If you will be having surgery or will be staying in a chair or bed for a long time (e.g., a long plane flight), tell your doctor beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taken because of the increased risk for blood clots. This product is not meant for children. Children accidentally exposed to this medication by direct contact with someone using it may absorb this drug through their skin. If this occurs, the child may have unwanted side effects. Children should avoid contact with any unclothed area where the medication has been applied. Tell the doctor immediately if you notice unexpected signs of puberty in a child such as an increase in breast or nipple size. To decrease this risk, carefully follow all directions for the proper use of this drug. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may result in birth defects or cancer later in the child's life. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. This medication may pass into breast milk. It may reduce the quality and amount of breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.