Estradiol Pill
A daily pill that delivers systemic estrogen through your digestive system.
“I started with the pill because it was familiar—it felt just like taking my birth control.”
How to Get It
Very commonly prescribed and widely available in generic form.
Treatment Timeline
2–4 weeks for symptom relief; 12 weeks for full benefits
Insurance Details
$10–$40/month with insurance; ~$20–$70 without
More about
Estradiol Pill
What to Love
This is a tried-and-true option that’s easy to use and widely available. It’s typically taken once daily and works well for full-body symptoms. But for women with migraines, clot risk, or liver concerns, transdermal options may be safer.
How it Works
Take once daily at the same time. Can be taken with or without food. Do not skip doses.
Oral estradiol helps restore estrogen levels and relieve menopause symptoms but carries a slightly higher clot risk than skin-based options.
Oral estrogen passes through the liver (first-pass metabolism), which can slightly increase the risk of blood clots and impact cholesterol. Still, it’s a well-studied, effective, and convenient treatment for most healthy women.
When to Avoid
Avoid if you have clotting disorders, liver disease, or hormone-sensitive cancers. May not be ideal if you have migraines with aura.
Possible Side Effects
Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, spotting, increased clotting risk
Recommended Brands
Estrace, generic estradiol tablets
