A Guide to Estradiol valerate
What is estradiol valerate?
Estradiol valerate is a body identical form of oestrogen (like the hormone oestrogen naturally found in your body but made in a lab). Estradiol valerate is currently only used in the combined contraceptive pill Qlaira. It is also used in hormone replacement therapy which is used to treat the symptoms of menopause.
Most combined hormonal contraceptives (like the pill, patch and vaginal ring) contain a type of oestrogen called ethinylestradiol, alongside a synthetic progestogen.
How does estradiol valerate work?
Estradiol valerate is converted to estradiol (aka oestrogen) by the liver, and works with the progestogen in the combined pill to stop ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries), stopping fertilisation of an egg by sperm and preventing pregnancy. Estradiol also helps to regulate the lining of the womb helping to prevent breakthrough bleeding on the pill.
Estradiol valerate replaces the natural oestrogen that fluctuates then drops during perimenopause and menopause to help treat symptoms.
What is estradiol valerate used in?
Contraceptive pills
Hormone replacement therapy
Side effects of estradiol valerate
Possible oestrogenic side effects of oestrogen include:
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Reduced sex drive
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Nausea or vomiting
- Water retention
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