The U.S. FDA approved Estradiol on 2/9/2004. Estradiol contains an active ingredient called estradiol which belongs to a group of medicines called vaginal Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). It falls within the category of hormones known as estrogens and shares identical properties with the naturally occurring estradiol synthesized by women's ovaries.

 Estradiol is used to treat menopausal symptoms such as ‘vaginal atrophy’ (dryness or irritation of vagina) in elderly women's who have passed the stage of menopause, treatment for hypogonadism, castration, or primary ovarian failure-related hypoestrogenism and preventing osteoporosis after menopause.

Take estradiol tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not adjust the dosage or frequency without consulting your doctor. Take your estradiol tablets at the same time each day to maintain a consistent level of hormone in your body. Swallow the estradiol tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet, as this may affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects.

For the application of gel make sure that the application area is clean, dry and there is no broken skin. Wash your hands properly after using the estradiol. Contact your doctor if you have any doubts.

The common side effects that are experienced while you are on the treatment with Estradiol are Headache, stomach pain, vaginal bleeding, discharge or discomfort. Some of the serious side effects may be Ovarian cancer, Blood clots, Heart attack, Breast lumps and Stroke.

It is not recommended to use estradiol if you are allergic to the active compound estradiol and its constituents. It is not advised to use estradiol if you have breast cancer or any type of cancer that is oestrogen receptor sensitive. It is not recommended to use estradiol if you have a clotting disorder or blood clot in veins (lungs or legs) and  unexplained vaginal bleeding

It is not advised to consume estradiol if you have a heart attack, stroke, angina or abnormal liver function tests. It is not given to patients with a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

The risk of gallbladder disease is elevated by estrogen intake. Stop using estrogen if you experience cholestatic jaundice, severe hypertriglyceridemia, severe hypercalcemia, or vision loss. It is advised to keep an eye on women receiving thyroid replacement treatment. 

Inform your doctor if you have vaginal bleeding, heart, kidney, lung or liver problems, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, or hearing disorder. Consult your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant or while you are breastfeeding. Speak with your doctor about your medical history to the doctor. It is necessary to inform your healthcare provider regarding all the medicines you are taking including herbal, vitamin and over the counter medicines.

It is recommended to examine your breast (mammogram) to avoid the risk of breast cancer caused by the drug and inform your doctor if you have any changes in the skin colour. Always make sure that you have washed your hand before and after the use of the gel. Don't apply it on your breast, eye or other part of the body apart from the application site. Inform your doctor if you have uterus cancer or history of blood clot. It is advised to regularly monitor liver function tests, thyroid tests, bone mineral density and blood pressure as treatment with estradiol can alter these values.

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2. Ther-Rx Corporation, US Food and Drug Administration,[Revised on April 2008], [Accessed on 13th March 2024], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/022014s001lbl.pdf
3. Pfizer, [Revised on Feb 2024], [Accessed on 13th March 2024], https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=595
4. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, [Revised on October 2021], [Accessed on 13th March 2024], https://www.novartis.com/us-en/sites/novartis_us/files/Vivelle_DOT.pdf
5. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Androgens and drugs for erectile dysfunction, 7th edition, 2013, 296-300.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.