Which are common side effects of hormone therapy?

• A. Breast tenderness, nausea, headaches.
• B. Hair loss only.
• C. Fever and chills.
• D. Nausea only.

Answer: (A)

Hormone therapy often brings mild, common side effects because estrogens and progestins affect multiple tissues. Breast tenderness happens when estrogen stimulates breast tissue, which is a frequent finding. Nausea and headaches are also commonly reported as the body adjusts to the new hormone levels, affecting the GI tract and vascular/neurological systems. Together, these three symptoms reflect the typical side effect pattern seen with menopausal hormone therapy, making this combination the best representation of what patients most often experience. Hair loss is not a typical frequent effect of standard hormone therapy, fever and chills suggest infection or another issue, and nausea alone would miss the other common symptoms like breast tenderness and headaches.