{"id":52417,"date":"2022-06-29T09:19:36","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T13:19:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=52417"},"modified":"2025-12-18T09:18:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:18:23","slug":"estradiol-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/estradiol-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Estradiol alternatives: What can I take instead of estradiol?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare estradiol alternatives<\/a> | Vivelle dot<\/a> | Estrace 0.01%<\/a> | Paxil CR<\/a> | Neurontin<\/a> | Catapres<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Estradiol<\/span>, a <\/span>form of estrogen<\/span>, is a female sex hormone drug available by prescription in a variety of dosage forms. <\/span>Estradiol<\/span> is primarily prescribed to treat <\/span>symptoms of menopause<\/span> caused by <\/span>low estrogen levels<\/span>. It may also be used to prevent <\/span>bone loss<\/span> (<\/span>osteoporosis<\/span>) in menopausal women.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what is menopause exactly? <\/span>Menopause<\/span><\/a> is the term used to describe the point in time that begins 12 months after a woman\u2019s last period. You may also have heard the term \u201cperimenopause”. This describes the period of time leading up to menopause which can last years and be characterized by irregular menstrual cycles or <\/span>vaginal bleeding<\/span>, <\/span>hot flashes<\/span>, or trouble sleeping. Some women experience <\/span>migraines<\/span>, <\/span>night sweats<\/span>, and <\/span>vaginal dryness<\/span> too. During perimenopause, sex hormone production varies greatly and contributes to these symptoms. If you begin experiencing these symptoms, your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> may order a blood test to look at your <\/span>estradiol<\/span> levels along with your <\/span>hormone levels<\/span> of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and <\/span>progesterone<\/span>. If a woman undergoes a <\/span>hysterectomy<\/span>, she immediately goes into menopause due to an immediate inability to produce sex hormones. If your <\/span>estradiol<\/span> levels are low, your prescriber may order an <\/span>estradiol<\/span> product for you if you are an appropriate candidate for <\/span>estrogen<\/span> therapy to help alleviate <\/span>perimenopausal<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>menopausal symptoms<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, women who have a previous low risk for <\/span>heart diseases<\/span> like stroke and heart attack and are recently in menopause are considered candidates for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The <\/span>Women\u2019s Health Initiative<\/span> (WHI) study<\/span><\/a>, initiated in 1991, was intended to evaluate disease states in <\/span>postmenopausal women<\/span> including cardiac disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Initially, it was thought that hormone replacement played a preventative role in these disease states. However, the <\/span>hormone replacement therapy<\/span> (<\/span>HRT<\/span>) treatment arm was stopped years early due to early, significant findings of an association to increased rates of both cancer and cardiovascular events. This study has had profound impacts on the use of <\/span>HRT<\/span> in premenopausal, menopausal, and <\/span>postmenopausal women<\/span>. The WHI study focused on <\/span>oral estrogen<\/span> dosage forms of <\/span>HRT<\/span>, including combination products<\/a> with <\/span>progesterone<\/span>. There are other forms of <\/span>estradiol<\/span> therapy<\/span><\/a> such as <\/span>vaginal rings<\/span>, <\/span>vaginal creams<\/span>, and <\/span>transdermal patches<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, not everyone will be a candidate for <\/span>estrogen<\/span> or other <\/span>hormone replacement therapy<\/span> to treat <\/span>menopausal symptoms<\/span>. <\/span>Menopause<\/span><\/a> typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Generally, initiating hormone therapy after the age of 60 is not recommended, and continuing past the age of 65 is also not recommended. Patients with a known or expected personal or family history of <\/span>estrogen<\/span>-dependent neoplasms or malignancies, such as <\/span>ovarian<\/span> cancer or certain types of <\/span>breast cancer<\/span>, are not able to take <\/span>estradiol<\/span> products. Patients who have an active or past case history of thromboembolism, deep venous thrombosis (<\/span>DVT<\/span><\/a>), thrombophlebitis, stroke, or myocardial infarction (heart attack) have a contraindication to <\/span>estradiol<\/span> therapy. Those with a family history of these events may not be an <\/span>estradiol<\/span> candidate either. <\/span>Hormone replacement therapy<\/span> (<\/span>HRT<\/span>) increases the risk of other disease states such as dementia and gallbladder disease as well. Allergic or hypersensitive reactions to <\/span>estrogen<\/span> products would also be a contraindication for <\/span>estradiol<\/span> therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what are some other <\/span>treatment options<\/span> in lieu of <\/span>estradiol<\/span> to help with symptoms and effects of menopause? While replacing <\/span>estrogen<\/span> in patients with low levels seems like an obvious solution, there are other <\/span>treatment options<\/span> for <\/span>menopausal symptoms<\/span>. Patients with a higher risk of <\/span>blood clots<\/span> or <\/span>breast cancer<\/span> have options for treating <\/span>menopause symptoms<\/span>. Keep reading to learn more!<\/span><\/p>\n

Related: <\/b>Estriol vs. estradiol<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of <\/span>estradiol<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several categories of drugs that have been shown to help alleviate <\/span>hot flashes<\/span> including <\/span>antidepressants<\/span>, <\/span>blood pressure<\/span> medications, and seizure medications. Drugs such as <\/span>calcium<\/span> and bisphosphonates address <\/span>osteoporosis<\/span>. There are also many lifestyle changes and adaptations that can be done to minimize the impact of menopause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not intended to serve as <\/span>medical advice<\/span>. You should speak to your doctor before stopping <\/span>estradiol<\/span> and consider all alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Compare estradiol alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/td>\nUses<\/td>\nDosage<\/td>\nSavings options<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estrace tablets (estradiol)<\/td>\nVasomotor symptoms (hot flashes), vaginal\/urogenital menopausal symptoms, menopausal osteoporosis prophylaxis, estrogen replacement<\/td>\n0.5 mg to 2 mg by mouth daily<\/td>\nEstrace coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vivelle dot (estradiol)<\/td>\nVasomotor symptoms (hot flashes), vaginal\/urogenital menopausal symptoms, menopausal osteoporosis prophylaxis, estrogen replacement<\/td>\n0.025 mg patch to 0.1 mg patch applied twice weekly topically<\/td>\nVivelle dot coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estrace vaginal cream (estradiol)<\/td>\nVasomotor symptoms (hot flashes), vaginal\/urogenital menopausal symptoms, menopausal osteoporosis prophylaxis, estrogen replacement<\/td>\n2 g to 4 g applied vaginally daily for up to 2 weeks then gradually decreasing<\/td>\nEstrace cream coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estring (estradiol)<\/td>\nVasomotor symptoms (hot flashes), vaginal\/urogenital menopausal symptoms, menopausal osteoporosis prophylaxis, estrogen replacement<\/td>\n1 ring placed intravaginally every 3 months<\/td>\nEstring coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Paxil CR (paroxetine)<\/td>\nMajor depression, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),<\/p>\n

Panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause<\/td>\n

12.5 mg to 25 mg by mouth daily<\/td>\nPaxil CR coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Effexor\/ Effexor XR (venlafaxine)<\/td>\nMajor depression, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),<\/p>\n

Panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause<\/td>\n

37.5 mg to 75 mg by mouth once daily<\/td>\nEffexor coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neurontin (gabapentin)<\/td>\nSeizure disorder, tremors, vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause<\/td>\n300 mg up to three times daily by mouth<\/td>\nNeurontin coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Catapres (clonidine)<\/td>\nHypertension, hypertensive emergency, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), opiate withdrawal, vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause<\/td>\n0.05 mg to 0.2 mg by mouth twice daily<\/td>\nCatapres coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fosamax (alendronate)<\/td>\nOsteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis prophylaxis<\/td>\n10 mg by mouth daily or 35 mg by mouth once weekly<\/td>\nFosamax coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Miacalcin (calcitonin)<\/td>\nHypercalcemia, Paget\u2019s disease, postmenopausal osteoporosis<\/td>\n200 IU intranasally once daily in one nostril<\/td>\nMiacalcin coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Evista (raloxifene)<\/td>\nPostmenopausal osteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis prophylaxis, Invasive breast cancer prophylaxis in postmenopausal women<\/td>\n60 mg once daily by mouth<\/td>\nEvista coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Natpara (parathyroid hormone)<\/td>\nHypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism<\/td>\n50 mcg subcutaneously once daily<\/td>\nNatpara coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t
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Save up to 80% on Estradiol with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tEstradiol 42.5 gm of 0.1 mg\/gm (1 Tube)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Walmart\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$32.16\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Walmart\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$32.16\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Estradiol prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Other alternatives to <\/span>estradiol<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are hormonal and non-hormonal options for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms. Some therapies may only be indicated for a specific symptom. For example, some <\/span>antidepressants<\/span><\/a> have been shown to help with <\/span>hot flashes<\/span>, also known as \u201c<\/span>flushes<\/span>\u201d, but they would not play a role in <\/span>bone loss<\/span> due to menopause. For this reason, it is important to gear your alternative selection toward the <\/span>menopausal symptom<\/span> you are trying to treat or relieve. There will be no one answer that suits every patient.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n