What are the benefits and side effects of using estradiol for menopausal symptoms. How effective is estradiol hormone replacement therapy according to user reviews. What do women need to know about taking estradiol for menopause relief.

Understanding Estradiol and Its Use in Menopause Treatment

Estradiol is a form of estrogen commonly used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat symptoms of menopause. As women enter menopause, their natural estrogen levels decline, leading to various uncomfortable symptoms. Estradiol helps replenish estrogen in the body to alleviate these symptoms.

Estradiol is available in several forms, including:

• Oral tablets
• Transdermal patches
• Topical gels and creams
• Vaginal rings
• Injections

Some common brand names for estradiol include Estrace, Climara, Vivelle-Dot, Divigel, and Estrogel. The appropriate form and dosage can vary depending on a woman’s individual needs and symptoms.

Estradiol User Reviews: What Do Women Say?

According to user reviews, estradiol has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 for treating postmenopausal symptoms. Out of 401 total reviews:

• 44% reported a positive experience
• 42% reported a negative experience
• 14% had neutral or mixed experiences

Many women found relief from hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. However, some experienced unwanted side effects or felt the treatment was not effective for them.

One reviewer stated: “Estradiol patches have been a game-changer for my menopause symptoms. My hot flashes and night sweats are gone, and I feel like myself again.”

Another had a different experience: “The side effects were too much for me. I had constant nausea and breast tenderness. I had to stop using it after a month.”

Benefits of Estradiol for Menopausal Symptoms

Estradiol can provide significant relief for many common menopause symptoms, including:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort
• Mood swings and irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Loss of libido
• Urinary tract issues

In addition to symptom relief, estradiol may help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Some studies suggest it may also have protective effects on heart health and cognitive function.

How quickly does estradiol work for menopause symptoms?

The onset of relief can vary, but many women report improvement in hot flashes and night sweats within 1-2 weeks of starting estradiol. Vaginal symptoms may take 4-6 weeks to improve. Full benefits are typically seen within 3 months of consistent use.

Potential Side Effects and Risks of Estradiol

While estradiol can be effective for many women, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects and risks. Common side effects may include:

• Breast tenderness
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Bloating
• Mood changes
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting

More serious risks, though rare, can include:

• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Certain types of cancer (e.g., breast, ovarian)
• Gallbladder disease

The risk of these complications may increase with age, smoking, and certain pre-existing health conditions. It’s crucial to discuss your individual risk factors with your healthcare provider.

Can estradiol increase the risk of breast cancer?

Studies have shown a slight increase in breast cancer risk with long-term use of estrogen-progestin hormone therapy. The risk appears to be lower with estrogen-only therapy, but it’s important to weigh the benefits and risks with your doctor. Regular breast cancer screenings are recommended for women using estradiol.

Choosing the Right Estradiol Form: Patches, Pills, or Gels?

The choice between different forms of estradiol depends on individual preferences, symptoms, and medical considerations. Here’s a brief overview of the main options:

Estradiol Patches

Patches deliver a steady dose of estradiol through the skin. Benefits include:

• Convenient once or twice weekly application
• Bypasses the liver, potentially reducing side effects
• May have a lower risk of blood clots compared to oral estradiol

Oral Estradiol

Tablets taken by mouth are a common choice. Considerations include:

• Easy to take
• May be more effective for certain symptoms like mood swings
• Higher risk of blood clots compared to other forms

Estradiol Gels and Creams

Topical applications offer another option. Benefits include:

• Flexible dosing
• Lower systemic absorption, which may reduce side effects
• Particularly effective for vaginal symptoms when used locally

Discuss these options with your healthcare provider to determine the best choice for your needs.

Estradiol Dosage and Administration Tips

Proper dosage and administration are crucial for the effectiveness and safety of estradiol treatment. Here are some general guidelines:

• Start with the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects
• Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully
• For patches, rotate application sites to prevent skin irritation
• Take oral estradiol at the same time each day
• Apply gels and creams as directed, usually once daily

Your doctor may adjust your dosage based on your response and any side effects you experience. Regular follow-ups are important to monitor your progress and overall health.

How long can you safely take estradiol?

The duration of estradiol treatment varies depending on individual needs and risk factors. Some women use it for a few years to manage severe menopause symptoms, while others may continue longer-term for bone health or other benefits. Regular reassessment with your healthcare provider is essential to determine the appropriate duration of treatment for you.

Combining Estradiol with Progesterone: Why It’s Important

For women who still have their uterus, estradiol is typically prescribed in combination with progesterone. This is because estrogen alone can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Progesterone helps protect the uterine lining.

The combination of estradiol and progesterone is known as combined hormone therapy. It may be given in several ways:

• Separate estradiol and progesterone medications
• Combination products containing both hormones
• Cyclic regimens where progesterone is taken for part of each month

Women who have had a hysterectomy generally do not need to take progesterone with their estradiol.

Does adding progesterone affect the benefits of estradiol?

While progesterone is necessary for uterine protection, it may slightly reduce some of the benefits of estrogen therapy. For example, it might partially counteract estrogen’s positive effects on cholesterol levels. However, the overall benefits of combined therapy typically outweigh these minor drawbacks for women with an intact uterus.

Natural Alternatives to Estradiol: Do They Work?

Some women prefer to explore natural alternatives to synthetic hormone therapy. While these options may provide some relief, it’s important to note that they are generally less studied and may not be as effective as estradiol for severe symptoms.

Some natural alternatives include:

• Phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) from soy, flaxseed, and other sources
• Black cohosh
• Red clover
• Evening primrose oil
• Dong quai

These supplements may help alleviate mild menopause symptoms for some women. However, they can also have side effects and interact with medications. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

Are bioidentical hormones a safer alternative to synthetic estradiol?

Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those produced by the human body. While some claim they are safer than synthetic hormones, there is limited scientific evidence to support this. The FDA has approved some bioidentical hormone products, but many custom-compounded formulations lack rigorous testing for safety and efficacy. Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor to make an informed decision.

Lifestyle Changes to Complement Estradiol Therapy

While estradiol can be effective in managing menopause symptoms, combining hormone therapy with lifestyle changes can enhance its benefits and promote overall health. Consider incorporating the following strategies:

• Regular exercise to improve mood, sleep, and bone health
• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Avoiding triggers for hot flashes (e.g., spicy foods, alcohol)
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking

These lifestyle modifications can not only help manage menopause symptoms but also reduce the risk of long-term health issues associated with aging.

Can diet and exercise replace the need for estradiol?

For some women with mild symptoms, lifestyle changes alone may be sufficient to manage menopause discomfort. However, those with moderate to severe symptoms often find that a combination of hormone therapy and healthy habits provides the most effective relief. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the best approach based on your individual symptoms and health status.

Monitoring and Adjusting Estradiol Treatment

Regular monitoring is crucial when using estradiol for menopause symptom relief. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend:

• Regular check-ups to assess symptom improvement and side effects
• Annual mammograms and gynecological exams
• Periodic blood tests to check hormone levels
• Bone density scans to monitor bone health

Based on these assessments, your doctor may adjust your estradiol dosage or recommend changes to your treatment plan. It’s important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.

How often should estradiol dosage be reviewed?

Typically, your estradiol dosage should be reviewed annually, or more frequently if you’re experiencing significant side effects or changes in symptoms. The goal is to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary to manage your symptoms effectively.

As you navigate your menopause journey, remember that every woman’s experience is unique. What works well for one person may not be the best solution for another. Open communication with your healthcare provider, combined with a willingness to try different approaches, can help you find the most effective way to manage your symptoms and maintain your quality of life during this transition.

Estradiol User Reviews for Postmenopausal Symptoms

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Brand names:
Estrace,
Estradiol Patch,
Climara,
Dotti,
Divigel,
Vivelle-Dot,
Estrogel,
Delestrogen,
Lyllana,
Femring,
Minivelle,
Estraderm
Depo-Estradiol
Evamist
Elestrin
Alora
Menostar
Estra Pellets
…show all brand names

Estradiol
has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 401 reviews
for the
treatment of Postmenopausal Symptoms.
44% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 42% reported a negative experience.

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Estradiol rating summary

5. 5/10 average rating

401 ratings from 441 user reviews.

Compare all 145 medications used in the treatment of Postmenopausal Symptoms.

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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HRT opened my eyes, and gave me my life back | Mariella Frostrup

Addressing a professional women’s networking event recently, it only took one word to reduce the excitable and cocktail-lubricated room to silence. The lethal word I dropped was “menopause”; controversially referring to a sorority of which many in the room were reluctant members.

The word menopause must rank as one of the most feared in the English language, whispered only behind closed doors to trusted companions, preferably medically trained, and conjuring visions of sweat-soaked sheets and tragic attempts to appear youthful.

Thanks to its end-of-life imagery and the terror women display in admitting they’re in its grip, it has more in common with a virulent disease than the mere resetting of our biological clock.

Thankfully perceptions about this chapter in the female life cycle may finally be changing. Nice has this week announced new guidelines for diagnosing and dealing with menopause. I say “new”, but it’s the body’s debut on the topic; indicative of the web of silence woven around this unavoidable occurrence in what is now merely mid-life. Women have been coping with the manifestations of menopause – mental and physical – since time immemorial, so while I applaud the guidelines “to stop women suffering in silence”, their focus is long overdue.

The menopause has a serious image problem and has been judged a shameful, guilty secret for sufferers amid a prevailing culture of disparagement and ignorance. The guidelines simply lay out what most women post-50 already know, that establishing our reproductive tipping point is a guessing game with little tangible diagnostic help on offer, the symptoms are far ranging and unique to each individual, and progress in treatment for these reliant on the NHS has remained stagnant for nearly 30 years.

Thirty years later, I’m still sticking on the same HRT patches my mother tried and rejected as making her feel “bovine”. Controversially, as I discovered when I made my first claim, those with private health insurance policies are generally not covered at all. As astonishing is the fact that most women like me, clued up and capable in so many areas of our lives, stumble blindly into our second most hormonally disruptive stage next to puberty. Studies on teenage turbulence are ten a penny, but establishing the menopause as territory that requires specialised support from medical experts and cognitive therapists has only now, thanks to Nice, been placed on the public agenda.

I’m one of the many who have stumbled across their declining fertility entirely by accident, despite considering myself a reasonably well-informed, mature woman. Two years of sleepless nights, unfounded anxiety attacks and a very short fuse with friends and family finally led me to a female gynecologist.

Establishing the menopause as territory requiring specialised support has only now been placed on the public agenda

When you’re feeling below par, confronting a contemporary looking like an extra from a Robert Palmer video in a figure-hugging black dress might be offputting; particularly when she’s waving a speculum at you. Instead she impressed further by diagnosing my symptoms while offering compelling proof that the future wasn’t sexless, dressed in twinsets and sensible shoes.

“You’re mid-menopause but you don’t need to suffer like this,” she insisted, living proof that perhaps I didn’t. She wrote out a prescription for HRT, testosterone, melatonin and the hormone DHEA, all of which would make life more bearable, and booked me back in six months. Unusually I was speechless, still recovering from my ignorance that anxiety rather than hot flushes could be a menopausal symptom.

I’d had reservations regarding HRT, having read plenty about its link to the increased risk of breast cancer. Although Nice confirms that link, it also suggests that the risks are less onerous than previously thought and that with proper monitoring they can be minimised.

After 2,000 years of female suffering you’d imagine we would have reached acceptable monitoring levels by now. A month after leaving the surgery I was a new woman, or returned to my old self at least. Melatonin had helped me to reset my sleep patterns, testosterone had given me renewed vigour, and HRT seemed to have levelled out the mood swings from fury to low-level depression and put me back on a more even emotional keel.

If we were all to receive better, more up-to-date and informed guidance instead of snarling at the world and losing catastrophic levels of self-confidence, while facing alone an exhaustive list of baffling symptoms – from the aforementioned insomnia and anxiety, to loss of libido, panic attacks, hair loss, sagging skin, exhaustion, weight gain, weight loss and hot flushes – we’d be in a position to manage the changes we were undergoing. In an age when medical science can work biblical-style miracles, helping paralysed men walk, there’s not a woman I know who hasn’t felt ambushed by this physical inevitability up there with puberty and death.

Since first airing the M-word in public I’ve been designated a “pioneer”, frequently dragged into corners by total strangers confessing a variety of symptoms they fear mark the beginning of the end. One told me she failed to consult her gynecologist about her symptoms for three years because he was quite cute and she didn’t want to admit she was “dried up and finished”.

The only shameful thing is that women today are still stumbling into the closing cycle of their reproductive days in blind ignorance because of the shroud of secrecy and shame that envelops this natural part of our life cycle. Hopefully the Nice guidelines adjust perceptions, bringing hot flushes and the accompanying symptoms in from the cultural cold and ending the tyranny of silence that’s inflicted on mortified, menopausal women. Instead of creeping up on you like a mugger in a dark alley, the menopause can finally step out of the shadows to be anticipated, understood and planned for.

My baby-making days may be over but once you’ve negotiated the hormonal depths, equilibrium happily returns. For what you lose, which in the end is just a bothersome monthly inconvenience if your child-bearing dreams are done with, there is also much to be gained.

Renewed confidence is the greatest gift, allowing you to find peace in your own company; to wear what you like rather than let the vagaries of fashion dictate; to enjoy more intimate and honest relationships with your friends; and to find laughter and wisdom where others see only the tragedy of leaving youth behind. I know better nowadays how to wring every last moment of pleasure from each breathing moment and intend to keep doing so, as healthily and heartily as possible, for as many more decades as my beating heart allows.

HRT Group vacancies

IPT GROUP – Intellect, Progress, Technology (intellect, progress, technology).

Our goal: to make the present and future of our customers and society as a whole prosperous, secure. We create a comfortable environment for success.

In everything we do, we are guided by three principles:

• the strength of the Company regardless of circumstances;
• the Company’s success lies in the well-being of each employee;
• we trust each other – our partners trust us.

Our philosophy:

• Keep the essence, drive progress;
• Like any successful business, we are focused on sustainable growth and development;
• We support and encourage the personal growth of each employee, it is important for us that people strive for success and we are proud of the team of professionals created over the years;
• We are used to being responsible for our actions. We have combined a culture of discipline with an entrepreneurial ethic and achieved outstanding results;
• We are committed to generating value for our investors by creating opportunities for growth and prosperity for our employees, business partners and communities in the industries where we operate.

We carry out business activities in a wide variety of areas, maintaining a core ideology and stimulating change, improvement and innovation.

We are changing approaches and strategy, but keeping the value system and goal unchanged.

Main activities:

Legal services:

• Litigation and arbitration practice. Bankruptcy;
• Transaction support;
• Comprehensive business support;
• Antitrust law;
• Law office.

MULTIPLE INVESTMENT FUNDS

• Consulting on the creation of a mutual fund;
• Mutual investment fund management consulting;
• Consulting on the establishment of a management company.

Anti-sanction solutions:

• Closed-end mutual funds solutions for business;
• Transfer of business (from unfriendly countries to friendly countries or the Russian Federation).

Accounting services:

• Comprehensive accounting and tax accounting, reporting;
• Service for the creation of Shared Service Centers : outsourcing accounting services based on the IPT Group SSC; creation and construction of a regional SSC for the customer.

Creation and maintenance accounting department for medical organizations on a turnkey basis:

• Accounting;
• Tax accounting and tax consultations;
• Regulated reporting;
• IFRS reporting;
• Accounting methodology;
• Examination of contracts;
• Closing of the reporting period in a shorter period;
• Support of MHIF audits;
• Interaction with tax authorities and protection of the Customer’s interests;
• Settlement center for employee benefits;
• Creation and maintenance of an IT landscape for medical institutions.

Integrated HR services – business support:

• Personnel accounting and personnel records management;
• Selection and hiring of personnel;
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IT support services, cloud services, data center services, telecommunication services – provided by TeleTower, a member of the Group of Companies.

Our corporate culture is based on the principles of mutual respect and teamwork, which requires our employees to show personal responsibility, professionalism and initiative at all job levels. Our employees are the main asset: everyone is provided with the opportunity to improve their skills, professional development and self-realization.
Due to dynamic development business assets we are interested in attracting new employees and replenishing its professional team. If you are interested in working in a serious business, with the opportunity to make the most of your professional experience and gain new knowledge and experience, then work in our Group of Companies is for you.

What is important to us in the candidate:

• Optimism – in order to strive for better results;
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HRT-diagnosis, HRT-screening in Nizhny Novgorod

HRT-diagnosis or Heidelberg retinal tomography is a unique method that allows you to study the optic nerve head and adjacent structures. According to scientists and doctors around the world, HRT screening is the “gold standard” for early detection of glaucoma in patients even before changes in visual fields and other clinical manifestations. This, in turn, means an early start of treatment and its high efficiency.

HRT-diagnosis technology using laser radiation allows you to get high-quality three-dimensional images-tomograms, in contrast to the classic two-dimensional images. Three-dimensional photographs, in turn, are more informative in terms of the topography of the various structures of the eye. This method is based on the use of confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (C SLO). During the method, diode laser technology with a wavelength of 670nm is used. The method is based on changing the flow of light reflected from a certain plane.

The main clinical purpose of the retinal tomograph is to visualize the elements of optic neuropathy, which is observed in glaucoma.

The laser beam used in HRT diagnostic devices is absolutely safe! The diode laser has a wavelength of 670-675 nm and does not pose a threat to the health of patients. The HRT Laser System is Category 1 Safety Class. Also, it minimizes the risk of danger and a time limiter, which determines the time of exposure of the laser beam to the patient’s eye.

What is HRT screening?

The device has the ability to simulate a three-dimensional configuration of the surface of the optic nerve head (ON) – for this, a series of transverse sections of more than 64 is performed. . During the examination, 22 parameters of the optic disc and peripapillary retina are analyzed.

During the HRT screening , the optic disc is examined. The maximum magnification of the image allows you to observe even the most minimal changes observed in degenerative diseases, such as glaucoma.

The Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT) technology is based on the use of Confocal Laser Scanning Ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) technology.

What relates to HRT – parameters of the optic disc (OND):

• Its area
• Excavation area
• Excavation area
• Excavation volume
• Excavation volume
• Ratio of excavation area to OD
• Excavation depth shape measurement cavations
• Retinal nerve fiber thickness, etc.

HRT screening scans the optic disc and calculates its topographic measurements: size, contours, shape, neuroretinal rim, excavation. In addition to these parameters, measurements are taken of the peripapillary retina and the retinal nerve fiber layer.

What is the essence of the HRT diagnostic method?

During the examination, an assessment is made of how similar each individual patient is to the indicators of the normative database. Moreover, the larger the regulatory framework, the more the reliability of the results increases.

The normative base is huge, the creators of the device have been accumulating and creating this base on the basis of several medical universities and clinics for several decades. It has been proven that MRA analysis is the most accurate (6 times) in the field of glaucoma diagnosis than any other method.

Normal (2D) images can be taken, and 3D (3D) images can be taken when CSLO mode is enabled.

As a result, the main task of such a retinotomograph is the early and accurate detection of optic neuropathy at various levels and the search for its causes (glaucoma, or neurodegenerative diseases of another origin).

During the examination (HRT-diagnostics), the computer automatically compares the data received from the patient with standard standards and searches for pathology. Another advantage of HRT screening is that when the patient is re-examined, the computer “remembers” the previous images and compares them with them. Thus, it is possible to control the effectiveness of treatment and observe the dynamics of the process.

HRT-diagnostics is an effective method of mass examination of patients with suspected glaucoma and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy.

No special preparation required for HRT screening. The result of HRT diagnostics depends on the transparency of the optical media of the eye, accommodative ability and the presence of myopia (affecting the quality of the image). All this is taken into account by the doctor when performing HRT diagnostics.

HRT screening options. HRT screening in Nizhny Novgorod

HRT-screening in Nizhny Novgorod in the clinic “Tonus AMARIS” is performed on premium quality equipment. Our specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating glaucoma at various stages of the disease and always select the most modern and innovative technologies to help their patients.