If a patient experiences breast tenderness and hypertension, which would she most likely be taking?

• A. Not enough estrogen
• B. Too much estrogen
• C. Not enough progestin
• D. Too much progestin

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is related to the effects of excessive estrogen on the body. When a patient is taking too much estrogen, it can lead to symptoms such as breast tenderness due to the hormone's action on breast tissue, promoting swelling and sensitivity. Additionally, elevated levels of estrogen can contribute to hypertension, as estrogen can increase blood vessel reactivity and fluid retention, leading to increased blood pressure.

In the context of women's health pharmacology, balancing hormones is crucial for managing various side effects. Breast tenderness along with hypertension is often associated with an overload of estrogen, especially when considering hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy.

Understanding the other options highlights the unique roles that different hormones play. Not enough estrogen would typically lead to symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes, not breast tenderness or hypertension. Insufficient progestin would usually manifest as irregular menstrual cycles or endometrial hyperplasia risk, rather than the symptoms presented. Lastly, too much progestin is more likely to cause side effects such as mood changes or weight gain, rather than breast tenderness and hypertension.

This insight reinforces the importance of carefully monitoring hormonal levels to ensure they remain within therapeutic ranges to minimize adverse effects.