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Estradiol

Brand names: Estrace, Vivelle-Dot, Climara, Vagifem, Estring

Estradiol is an estrogen hormone used to relieve hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, and vaginal dryness.

Brand namesEstrace, Vivelle-Dot, Climara, Vagifem, Estring
Type of medicineEstrogen hormone
Prescription?Prescription
ImportantThis page is general information, not a prescription. Don't start, stop, or change a medicine without talking to your provider or pharmacist.

Overview

It comes as pills, patches, gels, sprays, and vaginal creams, tablets, and rings.

Women with a uterus usually also need a progestin to protect the uterine lining.

What it's used for

  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness and painful sex after menopause
  • Preventing bone loss after menopause
  • Low estrogen from other causes

How to take it

  • Use it exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose that helps.
  • Change patches on schedule and rotate where you place them.
  • Review with your provider every year whether you still need it.

Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

Side effects

Common side effects

  • Breast tenderness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Spotting or bleeding
Call 911Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or coughing up blood (possible clot)
Call 911Weakness on one side, trouble speaking, or vision loss (possible stroke)
Call your provider todayPain, swelling, or warmth in one leg
Call your provider todayVaginal bleeding after menopause
Call your provider todayA new breast lump

Warnings

  • Boxed warnings: higher risk of uterine cancer (without a progestin), stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia in some studies of older women.
  • Smoking raises clot risk.
  • Not for people with a history of certain cancers, clots, stroke, or liver disease.

Other medicines, foods, and alcohol

  • Some seizure medicines, rifampin, and St. John's wort lower its effect.
  • It may change thyroid medicine needs.

Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not used during pregnancy.

Missed doses, overdose, and storage

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Then skip the missed dose. Don't take two doses at once.

If someone takes too much

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.

Storing it

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children and pets.

Conditions it's used for

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.