 Ethinyl Estradiol is an essential estrogen for maintaining normal female
functions. Less estrogen is produced after the menopause, estradiol
helps to restore and improve functions in women with menopausal
symptoms (hot flashes, vaginal dryness and irritation, night sweats,
mood changes etc), hormonal imbalance or problems with their ovaries.
Estradiol is available as oral tablets and as transdermal patches (HRT Patches).
Estradiol is also used to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in people at high risk, or to treat
certain types of metastatic breast cancer in men and women and prostate cancer in men.
Common brand names include: Climara, Estraderm, Estrace, Estrofem and Progynova
Ordering options for Estradiol, including Climara and Estraderm are below.
No prescription is needed, but some pharmacies will require a consultation via questionnaire to
enable their staff physician to issue a prescription (this is a free consultation).
Other pharmacies do not require a consultation (no consultation needed)*
Click Here to View More Medications for Menopause and Osteoporosis
Progestin is added to estrogen replacement therapy to reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus.
Combination HRT : Conjugated Estrogens combined with Medroxyprogesterone acetate are
available as: Premphase by Wyeth and Prempro 0.62mg/2.5mg and 0.625mg/5mg.
Women who have had their uterus removed do not need progestin or this combination.
Also See: Premarin and other non combination conjugated estrogens here.
Warnings about Estrogen Therapy
estrogens have been reported to increase the chance of womb (endometrial) cancer in post
menopausal women, especially in women with a uterus who receive estrogen-only hormone
therapy. Estrogens may also increase the risk of cancer of the ovary or breast.
Estrogen given in combination with another hormone (progestin) for replacement therapy can
infrequently cause heart disease (e.g., heart attacks), stroke, serious blood clots (pulmonary
embolism/deep venous thrombosis), dementia, and cancer of the breast. These risks appear to
depend on the length of time this medicine is used and the amount of estrogen per dose.
Therefore, these medications should be used for the shortest possible period of time at the
lowest effective dose, to obtain the benefits and minimize the chance of serious side effects.
Use of this Estradiol is not recommended if you have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding,
cancer, blood clots, liver disease, or active/recent stroke/heart attack.
Estradiol Side effects
Side effects, that may go away during treatment, include dizziness, lightheadedness,
headache, stomach upset, bloating, nausea, weight changes, increased/decreased interest in
sex, or breast tenderness. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience mental/mood
changes (severe depression, memory loss), pain or swelling in the calf, sudden severe
headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, vision changes
(change in contact lens fit, loss of vision) breast lumps, swelling of the hands or feet, changes
in vaginal bleeding (spotting, breakthrough bleeding, or prolonged bleeding), unusual vaginal
discharge/itching/odor, or yellowing of eyes or skin.
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