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Estradiol is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It is also used to treat conditions in which a woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogen naturally (hypoestrogenism).

Estradiol is a form of the hormone estrogen. It replaces estrogen that is not naturally produced by the ovaries.

This medication comes is available as a topical cream, a transdermal patch, a transdermal gel, a transdermal spray, a vaginal insert, and an oral tablet. It is usually taken once a day.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Estradiol is also available in several combination products and hormonal contraceptives. This medication page only refers to the single-ingredient preparations.

Common side effects of estradiol include headache, breast pain, nausea, and bloating.

Estradiol is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It is also used to treat conditions in which a woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogen naturally (hypoestrogenism).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with estradiol and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Estradiol falls into category X. Estradiol should now be used during pregnancy. There appears to be little or no increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who inadvertently used estrogens during early pregnancy. Talk to your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking estradiol.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Estradiol has been detected in human breast milk. Estradiol can decrease the quality or quantity of breast milk. A choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Take estradiol exactly as prescribed.

Topical:

This medication is available as a vaginal cream, a transdermal patch, a transdermal gel, a transdermal spray, and vaginal insert. It is usually applied once a day.

Oral:

This medication is available as an oral tablet. It is usually taken once a day, with food.

Injectable:

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of estradiol at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

Topical:

The recommended starting dose of estradiol transdermal patches for the treatment of menopause symptoms or hypoestrogenism is 0.025 mg daily applied to the skin once weekly.

The recommended starting dose of estradiol transdermal spray for the treatment of menopause symptoms is 1.53 mg daily applied to the skin of the forearm once daily.

The recommended starting dose of estradiol transdermal gel for the treatment of menopause symptoms is 0.25 g daily applied to the skin of the upper thigh once daily.

The recommended starting dose of estradiol vaginal cream for the treatment of menopause symptoms is 2 to 4 g daily applied to the skin of the upper thigh once daily.

The recommended starting dose of estradiol vaginal insert for the treatment of menopause symptoms is 0.05 or 0.10 mg daily inserted into the vagina every 3 months.

Oral:

The recommended dose range of estradiol oral tablets for the treatment of menopause symptoms is 1 to 2 mg daily by mouth.

Injectable:

The recommended dose range of estradiol cypionate intramuscular injection for the treatment of menopause symptoms is 1 to 5 mg injected every 3 to 4 weeks.

The recommended dose range of estradiol valerate intramuscular injection for the treatment of menopause symptoms is 10 to 20 mg injected every 4 weeks.

Store estradiol at room temperature.

Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.