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:
- 2009-Nov-20 11:01 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Estradiol
- Estrace
- Vivelle DOT
- Climara
- Vagifem
- Vivelle
- Estrace Vaginal
- Estrogel
- Estraderm
- Estradiol Benzoate
- Estring
- Divigel
- Femring
- Climara PRO
- Delestrogen
- Estrofem
- Depo Estradiol
- Estra
- Alora
- Estrasorb
- Estraval
- FEM
- Estradiol Cipionate
- Menostar
- Dioval
- Estradiol Valerate
- Progynova
- Estradot
- Estradiol / Levonorgestrel
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*
- 1,520,000
- 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.org is currently tracking more than 8,900 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 | 93% | 
|
| Migraine / Headache | 4% |
|
| Other | 6% |
|
How well does Estradiol work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 8,900 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)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Estradiol outweigh the bad things.
- 19%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Estradiol.
Common Side Effects of Estradiol
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 8,900 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.
22% of patients experience side-effects on Estradiol
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Estradiol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Itch/Rash
-
Hot Flushes
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bleeding, Breast Tenderness, Dry Mouth, Fatigue, Headache, Insomnia, Migraine, Sweating, Swelling/Edema, Vaginal Discharge
Global Patient Feedback for Estradiol ( Post a comment )
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?
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-02 11:09:55
iGuard.org 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
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-23 05:17:25
iGuard.org 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
Posted: 2009-09-29 10:07:29
iGuard.org 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
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Estradiol in conjunction with Ovcon 35 for over 10 years to treat ovarian cysts and endometriosis, as well as reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer, which I am at high risk for. I also get annual mammograms and do monthly self exams. To be perfectly frank, I am more concerned about developing ovarian cancer than I am breast cancer, which is a lot easier to treat and cure than ovarian cancer. As I have been on both these meds for many years, I'm doing pretty well at 42 yrs of age, and it has prevented me from an unnecessary historectomy which would have caused a whole host of other health problems.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-17 10:52:20
Question/Comment:
The White Paper on Bio-identical Hormones in the October 2009 issues of Life Extension (www.lef.org) should be required reading for everyone using or considering hormone treatment. Its scientific information clarifies and gives the user ways to make informed choices, along with an historical perspective on this branch of treatments. Pages of references at the end of the article should satisfy most questions.
80 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-16 13:55:06
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
55
Patient Comments about
Estradiol