Estradiol vs Estrogen: Differences & Health Impacts

Key Takeaways 

• Estradiol is a type of estrogen. It helps regulate your menstrual cycle. 

• Is estradiol the same as estrogen? Kind of. Estrogen is a group of sex hormones, which includes estradiol. Estrogens kickstart puberty, regulate your cycle, and play a role in bone, brain, and heart health. 

• Estrogen levels (including estradiol) drop during menopause, which can cause symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and trouble sleeping.

• You can take estrogen and estradiol treatments to reduce menopause symptoms. 

Estradiol is a type of estrogen, which is a group of sex hormones made by both male and female bodies. 

In women, the drop in estrogens during perimenopause and menopause can lead to many uncomfortable symptoms. Hormone treatments can help.

Read on to learn more about the differences between estradiol vs. estrogen. 

Estrogen is a group of sex hormones. In women, the ovaries produce the majority of the body’s estrogen. Fat tissue and adrenal glands also make some estrogen.

Types of estrogen include: 

• Estradiol (E2). Highest during childbearing years. 

• Estriol (E3). Highest during pregnancy. 

• Estrone (E1). Highest after menopause. 

Estrogen hormones have many important jobs in the body. They play a role in:

• Puberty 

• Menstrual cycle regulation 

• Bone density 

• Muscle strength 

• Brain function  

• Cholesterol levels

• Blood sugar levels 

• Skin health 

• Libido 

There’s also a link between estrogen and many health conditions, including obesity, metabolic disorder, and some forms of cancer. 

Natural fluctuations happen throughout the month and estrogen production drops drastically as you enter menopause. This drop in estrogen can cause symptoms like: 

• Hot flashes

• Mood swings 

• Dry skin 

• Trouble sleeping 

• Low sexual desire 

• Pain during sex 

• Vaginal dryness

• Bone weakness (osteoporosis) 

• Menopause weight gain, especially around the belly 

Estradiol is a type of estrogen. 

Estradiol has many jobs, including: 

• Regulating the menstrual cycle 

• Thickening the uterine lining to prepare for pregnancy 

• Maintaining bone density

• Promoting brain health

• Regulating cholesterol levels

Because it’s a type of estrogen, estradiol levels also drop significantly during menopause, causing symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes. 

Estradiol is a type of estrogen. Here’s how estradiol compares to estrogen at a glance.

Estradiol and estrogen levels fluctuate for a few different reasons, including during your menstrual cycle, during menopause, and due to health conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). 

Here’s more on those reasons. 

Menstrual Cycle

Estrogen levels fluctuate during your menstrual cycle. They rise in the middle of your follicular phase (the phase before ovulation) and drop after ovulation. They rise again in the middle of your luteal phase (the phase after ovulation, before your period starts) and drop at the end of your period. 

Menopause 

As you age, your ovaries don’t work as well, so levels of estrogen and estradiol begin to decline. Estrogen levels fluctuate during perimenopause and decline drastically during menopause, when your ovaries stop producing estrogen. 

Health Conditions 

Health conditions can throw estrogen and estradiol levels out of balance. Some of those conditions include: 

• PCOS

• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

• Pituitary gland disorders 

• Obesity 

• Underweight 

• Primary ovarian failure 

Treatments like chemotherapy or surgical removal of the ovaries can also cause low estrogen levels. 

You can balance estrogen and estradiol levels through hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  Lifestyle changes, like getting exercise and eating nutritious foods, can help counteract some of the effects of low estradiol. 

Here’s more on how to treat low estrogen levels. 

Hormone Replacement Therapy 

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is when you take hormones to top up low levels in your body. It can involve taking estrogen, estradiol, or progesterone (or a synthetic form called progestin).

If you still have your uterus, you’ll probably take estrogen with progesterone to reduce the health risks. If you’ve had surgery to remove your uterus (hysterectomy), a healthcare provider may prescribe an estrogen-only treatment. 

You might take a progesterone-only treatment if you can’t take estrogen for health reasons. 

HRT treatments come in a variety of forms, including pills, patches, creams, sprays, and vaginal rings. 

HRT can help reduce: 

• Hot flashes 

• Night sweats 

• Declines in bone strength  

• Weight gain 

• Vaginal dryness 

Estradiol replacement therapy specifically can reduce vaginal dryness and painful sex. 

HRT isn’t safe for everyone, though, and can come with side effects. But according to the North American Menopause Society, starting HRT when you’re younger than 60 or within 10 years of starting menopause can provide more benefits than risks.

A healthcare provider can let you know if you’re a good candidate for HRT.

Lifestyle Changes  

Leading a healthy lifestyle won’t have a major impact on symptoms, but they can help keep your heart and bones in good shape. 

Here’s what to do: 

• Maintain a healthy weight. There may be a connection between very low and high levels of body fat and low levels of estradiol. 

• Eat nutritious foods. Go for fruits, veggies, legumes, lean proteins, and whole grains to give your body the nutrients it needs.

• Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity has various benefits, including strengthening bones and cardiovascular fitness.

• Get enough sleep. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep a night. This helps your body maintain a healthy hormonal balance. 

Estrogen is actually a group of hormones — estradiol, estriol, and estrone. Estradiol is the strongest and most active form, especially during your reproductive years.

When estrogen levels drop during menopause, you might notice symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help by restoring lost estrogen. 

Wondering if HRT is right for you? Talk to a healthcare provider to find out. 

Is Estradiol the Same as Estrogen?

No, estradiol isn’t exactly the same as estrogen. Estrogen is a group of sex hormones. Estradiol is one type of estrogen. It’s the strongest type of estrogen and most commonly produced during a woman’s childbearing years. 

How to Measure Levels of Estradiol and Estrogen 

You can measure levels of estradiol and estrogen with blood, urine, or saliva tests. These tests can help a healthcare provider diagnose conditions like PCOS, underactive thyroid, or fertility issues. 

What Are the Symptoms of Too Much Estradiol? 

The symptoms of too much estradiol include: 

• Acne 

• Weight gain 

• Low libido 

• Menstrual changes 

• Depression

Too much estradiol could also increase your risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, and heart disease.