What is Estradiol Valerate: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Estradiol Valerate overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Delestrogen, Depo-Estradiol

Generic Names:

  • Estradiol Valerate

Uses:

  • Treats hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Also treats prostate cancer in men, and treats lack of estrogen caused by a disorder of the ovaries in women.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Musculoskeletal Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Estradiol Valerate used for?

What form(s) does Estradiol Valerate come in

  • Injectable

What are common Estradiol Valerate doses?

  • Vial 5ML of 20MG/ML

  • Vial 5ML of 40MG/ML

  • Jar 1GM of

Common Estradiol Valerate prescriptions

  • Estradiol Valerate
    5ml of 10mg/ml vial

  • Estradiol Valerate
    5ml of 20mg/ml vial

  • Estradiol Valerate
    5ml of 40mg/ml vial

How to take Estradiol Valerate

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles. You may receive this medicine once a week, once every 2 weeks, or once every 4 weeks.

  • If you have not had your uterus removed (hysterectomy), you may need to use another hormone medicine together with estradiol. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about all medicines you are using.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • If you have not had your uterus removed (hysterectomy), you may need to use another hormone medicine together with estradiol. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about all medicines you are using.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles. You may receive this medicine once a week, once every 2 weeks, or once every 4 weeks.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Estradiol Valerate

  • Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Injection routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Estradiol Valerate contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to hormone medicines. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor. You should not use this medicine if you have a history of cancer of the breast, ovary, or uterus. Do not use if you have liver disease or a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.

Estradiol Valerate warnings

  • It is unlikely that you will become pregnant while you are going through menopause. But, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away. If you have recently had an infant, tell your doctor if you are breast feeding.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have asthma, epilepsy, migraine headaches, heart disease, or kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you have endometriosis, gallbladder disease, liver disease, lupus, porphyria, or an underactive thyroid.

  • This medicine should not be used to treat or prevent heart disease or stroke. In fact, hormone therapy can increase your risk of certain heart or blood vessel problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, blood clots, or circulation problems.

  • Your risk of heart disease or stroke from this medicine is higher if you smoke. Your risk is also increased if you have diabetes or high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. If you have diabetes, keep it under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to control your weight and blood cholesterol level.

  • This medicine may also increase your risk of other medical problems, including certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about how these risks might affect you.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests. This medicine may also affect the results of certain medical tests.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting.

Estradiol Valerate interactions

  • This medicine should not be used to treat or prevent heart disease or stroke. In fact, hormone therapy can increase your risk of certain heart or blood vessel problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, blood clots, or circulation problems.

  • This medicine may also increase your risk of other medical problems, including certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about how these risks might affect you.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have asthma, epilepsy, migraine headaches, heart disease, or kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you have endometriosis, gallbladder disease, liver disease, lupus, porphyria, or an underactive thyroid.

  • It is unlikely that you will become pregnant while you are going through menopause. But, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away. If you have recently had an infant, tell your doctor if you are breast feeding.

  • Your risk of heart disease or stroke from this medicine is higher if you smoke. Your risk is also increased if you have diabetes or high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. If you have diabetes, keep it under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to control your weight and blood cholesterol level.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests. This medicine may also affect the results of certain medical tests.

Estradiol Valerate side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting.

  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.

  • Breast changes or lumps.

  • Chest pain, or coughing up blood.

  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Hair loss, increased hair growth, or skin changes.

  • Joint pain.

  • Mood changes or depression.

  • Weight gain or loss.

  • Problems or discomfort when wearing contact lenses.

  • Breast pain or tenderness, discharge from your nipples.

  • Vaginal itching or discharge.