Estradiol
About Estradiol
Estradiol is indicated for hormonal replacement therapy for treating hypoestrogenism (estrogen deficiency), osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and symptoms associated with menopause (itching, dryness in the vagina, hot flashes). In addition to this, it also helps in preventing osteoporosis. Estradiol is prescribed when the body is not producing a sufficient amount of natural estrogen.
Estradiol contains estradiol, which regulates the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Estradiol works by replacing the normal hormone estrogen functions in the body and treats symptoms associated with menopause.
You are advised to take Estradiol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending upon your medical condition. You may experience headaches, bloating, hair loss, nausea, breast pain, weight gain, and irregular vaginal bleeding in some cases. Most of these side effects of Estradiol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have any history of vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, or blood clot in the legs or lungs. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please do not take Estradiol. While taking Estradiol, your doctor may advise regular tests to monitor its working. Grapefruit juice and St.John’s wort (a natural remedy for depression) should not be taken along with Estradiol.
Uses of Estradiol
Medicinal Benefits
Estradiol contains a synthetic female hormone that regulates ovulation and menstruation in women. Estradiol is given as a hormone replacement therapy for estrogen. It is also used in the treatment to relieve symptoms of menopause, such as mood swings, reduced sex drive, hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Estradiol
- Headache
- Bloating
- Hair loss
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Breast pain
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
Drug Warnings
Do not take Estradiol if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Inform your doctor if you have breast cancer, vaginal bleeding, blood clot in the leg (deep venous thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), vein (thrombosis), cancer of the endometrium (womb lining), any blood clotting disorder, recently had a heart attack, liver or kidney disease, porphyria (a group of liver disease), high blood pressure, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid smoking as it greatly increases the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack while taking Estradiol. Grapefruit juice and St. John’s wort (a natural remedy for depression) should not be taken along with Estradiol.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Estradiol is known to interact with anti-epileptic medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin), medicines for infections (griseofulvin, rifampicin), medicines for viral infections (efavirenz, ritonavir, nelfinavir), high blood pressure (Bosentan), blood thinner (aspirin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Estradiol is known to interact with grapefruit juice and St. John’s wort (a natural remedy for depression).
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have breast cancer, vaginal bleeding, blood clot in the leg (deep venous thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), vein (thrombosis), cancer of the endometrium (womb lining), any blood clotting disorder, recently had a heart attack, liver or kidney disease, porphyria (a group of liver disease), or high blood pressure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Estradiol to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeEstradiol is not recommended during pregnancy as it may harm the baby and cause serious complications for the baby and mother.
Breast Feeding
unsafeEstradiol is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it is known to cause harm to the baby.
Driving
safe if prescribedIt is not known to cause any side effects which may affect driving.
Liver
cautionEstradiol should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases. Your doctor may have to adjust the dose.
Kidney
cautionEstradiol should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionEstradiol is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Regular exercise and physical activity can minimize hot flashes and improve sleep. Weight-bearing exercises can also help strengthen bones. Aerobics, yoga, and activities like tai chi may help relax the body and mind.
- Wear loose clothes before going to bed and sleep in a cool, well-ventilated room. This can prevent symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats. Get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep.
- Avoid or limit intake of caffeine-containing beverages, alcohol, and spicy food, as these are known triggering agents for hot flushes.
- Try to be stress-free to improve your mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations.
- Quitting smoking will help reduce hot flashes and your risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypoestrogenism: It refers to the lowered secretion of the natural female sex hormone known as estrogen. It is an umbrella term used for estrogen deficiency in various conditions. Its abnormalities may lead to infertility, bone loss, and lipid abnormalities.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis means the bone has become porous. It is a disease in which too much bone is lost, and the body makes relatively little bone. As a result, bones become weak and can break easily if you fall.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): It is a treatment to relieve symptoms of menopause. It replaces hormones that are at a lower level as you approach menopause.
FAQs
Estradiol is used to treat hypoestrogenism (estrogen deficiency), osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and symptoms associated with menopause (itching, dryness in the vagina, hot flashes). This medicine is prescribed when the body is not producing a sufficient amount of natural estrogen.
Estradiol works by replacing the normal hormone estrogen functions in the body and treats symptoms associated with menopause.
Do not use Estradiol if you are allergic to peanuts, have unusual vaginal bleeding, have/had any cancer (breast or uterus cancer), or undergoing any other estrogen treatment. Tell your doctor if you had a heart attack, stroke, blood clot, or liver problems, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.
No, Estradiol should not be taken if you are undergoing surgery. You should inform your doctor, and he might ask you to stop hormone replacement therapy about 4 to 6 weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Estradiol may cause weight gain or loss, a common side effect. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help prevent weight gain.
Do not discontinue Estradiol without consulting your doctor as stopping the medicine can cause your symptoms to come back. Consult the doctor, he/she might reduce the dose gradually.
If you miss a dose of Estradiol take it as soon as you remember, However, if it is almost time for the scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
You may experience side effects like headaches, bloating, hair loss, nausea, breast pain, weight gain, and irregular vaginal bleeding. Consult the doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Foods like flaxseeds, soy, peaches, garlic, sesame seeds, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios can be included in your diet for oestrogen deficiency.
Do not take Estradiol if you are allergic to any of its components or if you had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina or have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, or a bleeding disorder.
Estradiol should be swallowed as a whole with water; do not crush or chew it. It can be taken with or without food; taking with food or after meals may help prevent stomach upset.
