Estradiol is a medicine that is a female hormone. The hormone is also referred to as E2 and has a chemical formula of C18H24O2. It is used to support women as their body’s natural estrogen production levels start to fall. The medicine can be taken in several ways including oral tablets, injections, and topical creams. Oral tablets are one of the most popular choices.

The naturally-occurring bioidentical hormone plays a key role in a woman’s biological development. It was discovered in 1933 but has since become a significant medication with over 12 million prescriptions in America annually.

Estradiol is available under several brand names or generic medicine. It is also made available with progestogens. As a female hormone, it is only available for females who have reached biological maturity. Most patients are in the 40+ demographic while it is now the estrogen medicine with the 3rd-highest level of prescriptions after birth control pills and ethinylestradiol.

What is Estradiol Prescribed For?

Estradiol is prescribed primarily for the treatment of symptoms linked to the menopause, including vaginal dryness and hot flashes. In addition to treating symptoms linked exclusively to the vagina, it is a useful treatment to prevent menopause-linked bone loss. As well as playing a key role in menopause hormonal therapy, estradiol is used in hormonal therapy for transgender women.

It may also be prescribed for treating low sex drives or as a form of hormonal birth control. Relieving the discomfort caused by hormonal imbalances during menopause. In many cases, the medicine will be used for several years (albeit in cycles) to cope with the bodily changes.

How Does Estradiol Work?

Estradiol is a naturally-occurring estrogen. Therefore, the main purpose of the medicine is to make up for the estrogen that is no longer produced by the body. Dosages are determined by personal estrogen levels and the severity of the menopause symptoms that may be experienced.

Whichever way you choose to administer the estradiol hormone, you will need to follow a schedule such as three weeks of daily injections followed by one week off. Some benefits may be experienced after a few days, but it can take weeks for estrogen levels gained from natural generation and the use of estradiol to reach their rightful outcome.

What Are The Side Effects of Estradiol?

Estradiol will alter your hormones in a big way. While it has a positive overall influence for the long haul, a long list of side effects can surface in the vaginal area as well as the entire body. Some of the most common side effects are;

• Breast tenderness,
• Melasma,
• Cramps,
• Anxiety,
• Lightheadedness, 
• Influenza,
• Spotting,
• Toothache,
• Vaginal discharge,
• Fluctuating weight.

You may also experience mild menopause symptoms until the estradiol has had a chance to restore hormonal balance during this difficult time. The symptoms will continue to become less noticeable until the medicine sees them fade completely.