Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a hormone your body naturally produces. When estrogen levels drop, commonly during menopause or after certain medical treatments, estradiol can help restore balance and relieve related symptoms.

Estradiol may be prescribed to:

Ease menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

Support hormone replacement therapy when natural estrogen levels are low.

Help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women.

Treat certain hormone-sensitive cancers, including select cases of breast and prostate cancer.

Your Sesame provider can tailor a menopause treatment to your needs that includes estradiol or other options. That may include guidance on lifestyle changes, support for managing libido or sex drive, strategies for improving sleep and mood, and monitoring for bone or heart health as you enter menopause.

Curious about when menopause typically begins? Learn more about navigating menopause, including when it starts and symptoms to expect.

The time it takes to notice results from estradiol tablets can vary depending on the symptom being treated. Many people start to see improvements in hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal discomfort within a few weeks of consistent use.

For bone health or long-term hormone balance, it may take several months to experience the full benefits. Always take estradiol exactly as prescribed and follow up with your provider to monitor your response.

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking estradiol, no matter the dosage form. Drinking alcohol while taking estradiol can potentially interfere with hormone balance and make side effects like dizziness, nausea, or headaches worse.

Before starting estradiol, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, allergies, or medications you take. This includes all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements, as these can interact with the hormone.

Make sure your provider knows if you take blood thinners, aromatase inhibitors, thyroid medications, corticosteroids, other hormones like progesterone, or medications such as tizanidine. Take estradiol exactly as prescribed and do not exceed the recommended dose.

While taking estradiol, it’s important to stay on top of your health with regular checkups. Schedule routine pelvic exams and mammograms as recommended by your healthcare provider, and perform monthly self-breast exams to check for any unusual lumps.

Estradiol is not appropriate for everyone. Tell your provider if you have a history of hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast or uterine cancer, liver disease, blood clotting disorders, heart disease, porphyria (a hereditary disease that causes nerve or skin damage), lupus, hereditary angioedema, or a history of stroke. Taking estradiol can affect calcium levels, especially in people with breast cancer that has spread to the bones.

Conditions such as uterine or endometriosis, a common cause of lower abdominal pain in women, may affect how estradiol is prescribed and monitored.

Estradiol is also not recommended for those who smoke or during pregnancy. Before starting treatment, your healthcare provider will review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to determine whether estradiol is appropriate for you.

Store estradiol according to the instructions provided by your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Keep it at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Ensure the container is tightly closed and out of reach of children.

Do not use expired medication or medications that appear damaged or discolored. If you have any questions about storage, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for guidance.

If you miss a dose of estradiol, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one.

Maintain a consistent dosing schedule to ensure the effectiveness of estradiol in managing your hormonal needs.

Taking more estradiol than prescribed can increase the risk of side effects. An extra dose may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, breast tenderness, bloating, or vaginal bleeding. Some people may also notice mood changes or fluid retention.

In more serious cases, taking too much estradiol can raise the risk of blood clots, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular problems. If you accidentally take an extra dose, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Taking too much estradiol can lead to serious side effects and requires prompt medical attention. Seek medical attention right away if you experience severe symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden vision changes, or signs of a blood clot.

You can also contact the Poison Control helpline at 1‑800‑222‑1222 for immediate guidance, or call emergency services if symptoms are severe.

Estradiol is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed healthcare provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription or refill an existing one during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not estradiol is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Medroxyprogesterone (generic for Provera) is a progestin that can be prescribed alone or in combination with estrogen to help reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and related symptoms.

If you still have your uterus, your provider may recommend adding a progestin when taking estradiol because it helps slow the growth of the uterine lining and lowers the risk of endometrial cancer. Your healthcare provider can help determine which medication or combination of medications is most appropriate based on your health history and symptoms.

Learn more about the impacts of menopause on sexual health in our Sexual Health Q&A.