Is estradiol the same as estrogen?

Estradiol is a type of estrogen, the strongest of the three main ones and the main estrogen before menopause. 'Estrogen' is the name for the whole group, which also includes estrone and estriol. When a doctor prescribes estrogen for menopause today, it's usually estradiol.

Most HRT labeled 'estrogen' contains estradiol. Some older products contain conjugated estrogens, a mixture from pregnant mares' urine. Both treat menopause symptoms, but estradiol is identical to your own hormone and had a lower clot risk in observational studies.

Estradiol. FDA labels describe it as substantially more potent than estrone and estriol at the receptor. After menopause, estrone becomes the most abundant circulating estrogen, but it's weaker. Estradiol and estrone also convert back and forth in the body, mainly in the liver.

Estradiol is sold under many brands, including Estrace, Climara, Vivelle-Dot, Minivelle, Dotti, EstroGel, Divigel, Elestrin, Evamist, Vagifem and Estring, as well as generics. Generic estradiol tablets, patches, gel and vaginal cream contain the same hormone and are usually cheaper.

Estradiol is itself the generic name. Tablets are often labeled estradiol tablets USP, and the chemical name is 17β-estradiol. Estradiol acetate, in the Femring vaginal ring, and estradiol hemihydrate, in Vagifem inserts, are salt forms that deliver estradiol.

Yes. Estrone, E1, is one of the three main estrogens. It's weaker than estradiol, made mostly by body fat and the adrenal glands, and it's the main estrogen after menopause. After menopause, it's produced mainly by converting adrenal androstenedione in body tissues such as fat.

It controls the menstrual cycle, helps release an egg and thicken the uterine lining, and supports bone, vaginal tissue and other organs. Low estradiol after menopause causes hot flashes, vaginal dryness and faster bone loss.

Estradiol is the usual choice: it's identical to your own estrogen, comes in many forms and had a lower clot risk than conjugated estrogens in observational studies. Transdermal estradiol, as a patch, gel or spray, avoids the extra clot risk of tablets.

Prescription estradiol is made in a lab, often from a plant starting material, but the molecule is identical to the estradiol your ovaries make. That's why it's called bioidentical. Ethinyl estradiol in birth control is a synthetic estrogen and differs from it.

Yes. Estradiol and estrone are converted back and forth in the body, mainly in the liver, and both can be converted to estriol. Taking estradiol by mouth means more of it passes through the liver first than with a patch or gel.