Get Informed: Estradiol
Active Ingredient(s)
Estradiol
What does it do?
This product is commonly used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, as well as for the prevention of osteoporosis and topical treatment of vulvar atrophy. It supplements the body's production of estrogen hormone.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-13 1:52 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Estradiol
- Estrace
- Vivelle DOT
- Climara
- Vagifem
- Vivelle
- Estrace Vaginal
- Estrogel
- Estraderm
- Estradiol Benzoate
- Divigel
- Estring
- Femring
- Climara PRO
- Estrofem
- Delestrogen
- Depo Estradiol
- Estra
- Alora
- Estrasorb
- Estraval
- FEM
- Estradiol Cipionate
- Dioval
- Menostar
- Estradiol Valerate
- Progynova
- Estradot
- Ovex
- Estradiol / Levonorgestrel
- Oestrogel
- Sandrena
- Elleste Solo
- Evorel
- Climaval
- Zumenon
- Menorest
- Fematrix
- Progynova TS
- Aerodiol
- Femtab
- Adgyn Estro
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its increased risk of endometrial cancer and cardiovascular problems.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 15 Jul 1954
- Est US Patients*
- 1,475,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Estradiol or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Estradiol Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Estradiol interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Estradiol used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 9,700 patients that use Estradiol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 99% | 
|
| Migraine/Headache | 2% | 
|
| Other | 2% | 
|
How well does Estradiol work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,700 users taking Estradiol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 85%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Estradiol outweigh the bad things.
- 2%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Estradiol.
Common Side Effects of Estradiol
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,700 users taking Estradiol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
15% of patients experience side-effects on Estradiol
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Estradiol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bleeding, Bloating/Gas, Breast Tenderness, Headache, Hot Flashes, Increased Appetite, Itch/Rash, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Palpitations, Skin Discoloration, Vaginal Discharge, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Estradiol ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been on Vagifem for 5 years and very afraid I will get cancer, all my doctors say no it's a very low dose and vaginal moisterizers don't build up the muscles around in there like vagifem, anyone have any answers for this? I'm 64 years old. I have breast tenderness, headaches and tons of gas which I don't know if this is a side effect, but palpitations and weight gain I do have, so they just say diet more.I also saw blood once and they said don't worry about it, but I do. Any help?
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-31 11:40:46
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Serious side effects are usually not seen as frequently in postmenopausal women. All of the side effects you are mentioning can be caused by Vagifem, including the bleeding. Anxiety is also a side effect of Vagifem. Exercising more will help with your overall health, and help you to feel less anxious. Before you start any exercise regimen, you need to get approval from your physician. You can also talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of continuing the Vagifem. Some studies show decreasing benefits to using estrogen replacement therapy long after menopause. Only you and your physician know your condition and need for this medication.
Posted: 2010-02-08 11:29:01
Answer/Reply:
I am 52 years old and have been on vagifem for a little over a year due to vaginal atrophy. The pill is not taken orally but is put directly into the vagina and is .25 mg. I too was concerned about cancer so I asked my daughters doctor who is a obgyn/reproductive endocronologist and she told me that studies have been done on vagifem and the only time that there is a risk of breast cancer is when the dosage is .625 which is about 600 times more than the dosage given in my tablets. I too have alot of bloating and gas due to irritable bowel syndrome and every 2 years my gynocologist has me get a transvaginal ultrasound to look at my ovaries and uterus to make sure that nothing is going on that could be the cause of my symptoms. Originally, I asked her for this procedure and have since been having it done. I hope this information is helpful to you - it is hard to be a woman sometimes! Take care.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-02 07:55:37
Answer/Reply:
Thanks for the information, I had a total hysterectomy in 1995 but they said I could get bladder cancer or vaginal cancer on any dose, rare but it happens the doctor said so that's why I wrote in, still not happy using it but it helps.
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-11 18:19:51
Question/Comment:
My doctor wants me to continue with the Estradial because he feels it is helping with the healing of the failed bladder surgery x 2.
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-25 09:36:44
Question/Comment:
Has anyone had any improvement in hot flashes/nightsweats with Climara Pro? If so, how long did you have to take this medication to notice improvement? Has anyone noticed having nightmares while on Climara Pro?
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-02 11:09:55
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Climara Pro should help to improve hot flashes and night sweats as your hormone levels increase. Everyone is different and the time it takes to see improvement in these symptoms will vary from each person. It can be very quickly or take up to a couple of months to see complete improvement. The product information for Climara Pro does not list nightmares as a side effect reported by patients taking this medicine.
Posted: 2009-11-11 10:14:16
Question/Comment:
For the last 3 months, Estrofem really helped me to feel a lot better. Yes, I do struggle to keep my weight as low as it was, but this will also help me to eat healthier. I only have one problem. I do not want to have sex so often anymore. Is this normal? I can't pick this up as a side affect.
51 Year old
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-10-23 05:17:25
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Changes in libido have been reported by patients taking hormones. Libido change may be difficult to pinpoint to a drug alone as there are many contributing factors. If the side effect continues or worsens you should discuss this with your doctor.
Posted: 2009-10-29 21:10:57
Question/Comment:
I have been using Estrace for about three months due to vaginal atrophy. I also take Levothyroxine for thyroid difficiency. GYN doctor said that my condition would be helped with Estrace and it has worked. Problem is he also said it is a chronic problem and I will have to stay on the cream indefinitely. I am 66 y/o, have elevated cholesterol and triglicerides and take 20 mg Crestor . I also have pernicious anemia and chronic dry eye along with arthritis. History of benign complicated breast cysts. I am concerned about breast cancer risks with Estrace. Has anyone else had success with alternative medicine for vaginal atrophy?
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-29 10:07:29
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Vaginal atrophy can be treated a few different ways instead of estrogen cream or vaginal tablets. The cream, tablets and ring remain the standard treatment however. When there is a history of hormone-dependent cancer, it is best to discuss the options with an oncologist. Using a vaginal mosturizer every 2-3 days, a water-based vaginal lubricant and increasing the amount of time allowed for arousal are the most common alternative therapies. You can discuss these options with your physician to determine the best long-term course of action for you.
Posted: 2009-10-29 01:23:45
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Patient Comments about
Estradiol