Estradiol is a hormone which resembles to estrogen, a sex hormone produced in females before menopause. Estradiol is used as a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to ease the symptoms (such as hot flushes, sweats and vaginal dryness) of the menopause and prevent osteoporosis that causes increased risk of fractures.

Do not take estradiol if you:

• Have breast cancer or a history of breast cancer, or endometrial cancer
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Ever had a blood clot in vein
• Had a heart attack, stroke or angina
• Had liver disease
• Porphyria
• Have an allergy to oestrogens
• Suffer from Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption
• Are or might be pregnant, or if you are lactating and breast-feeding.

Things to Tell Your Doctor. If you:

1. Suffer from fibroids of the womb or had a history of thickening of the lining of the womb
2. Have  any of these diseases - high blood pressure, liver disorders, diabetes, gallstones, migraine, systemic lupus erythematosus, epilepsy, asthma, deafness due to otosclerosis

What to do if you missed a dose ?

If you forget to take a tablet at your usual time and you are less than 12 hours late, take it as soon as possible. Take the next tablet at the usual time.

If you are more than 12 hours late, leave the forgotten tablet in the pack. Continue to take the rest of the tablets at the usual time every day.

Most common side effects ?

The most common side effects observed with estradiol are nausea, stomach cramps, headache, Fibroid’s, breast tenderness / enlargement, Changes in sex drive, breakthrough bleeding, changes in weight (usually weight gain), swelling of legs and mood changes.

Understanding the risk of blood clots :

HRT medications have the potential to cause blood clots. Although it does not occur in all individuals. You may be more likely to get a blood clot:

• If you are extremely overweight (BMI above 30)
• If you have had a blood clot before in the past
• If any of your close family members have had blood clots
• If you have had one or more miscarriages
• If you’re off your feet for a long time because of major surgery, injury or illness.
• If you have any blood-clotting problem that needs treatment with a medicine such as warfarin

Symptoms of blood clot:

You should see a doctor immediately if you have any of the symptoms below

• Painful swelling in your legs
• Sudden onset chest pain
• Difficulty in breathing

Understanding the risk of cancer:

HRT medications can put you a slightly higher risk of developing certain cancers. Not everyone on HRT develops cancer and it's also linked to the length of HRT treatment (higher risk if more than 10 years of treatment) & various other factors. HRT increase the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer & very rarely cancer of the ovaries. You could be at a higher risk of developing cancer :

• If you have a close relative (mother, sister or grandmother) who has had breast cancer.

• If you are seriously overweight.