Does Estradiol Cause Weight Gain?
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By:
Mike
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March 20, 2025
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Key Points
– Estradiol is a female sex hormone. It regulates female reproductive cycles called estrous, and menstrual cycles
– It is a medication to treat and manage postmenopausal symptoms due to decreased estrogen levels and progesterone. Symptoms include vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, heart disease, and an increased risk of osteoporosis
– It also helps women soon after hysterectomy i.e. surgical procedure done to remove the womb
– Estradiol is a powerful estrogen (E2) in your body. A sex hormone that regulates fertility, menstrual cycles, and several other functions in your body, including your brain function, bone health, and cardiovascular health
– Estradiol does not directly cause weight gain. During menopause, you experience decreased estradiol levels in your body. This indirectly contributes to your weight gain and changes in your body fat distribution, particularly around your abdomen
– Estradiol is available in different forms including vaginal rings, gels, sprays, creams, transdermal patches, injections, and as oral tablets
– Low estradiol levels in adolescence, or low estradiol levels during menopause, perimenopause may indirectly contribute to your weight gain. However, consistent high levels of estradiol could also cause weight gain. This can happen during pregnancy as it increases your appetite. It can also happen because of changes in your metabolism or anovulatory condition where estradiol levels badly fluctuate i.e. they rise or dip
Estradiol regulates metabolism and influences your body weight. During menopause, your estradiol levels decline naturally. Moreover, there are chances of fat accumulation and distribution in your body. A few studies even suggest that low estradiol levels are associated with increased appetite. Therefore, you will have more desire for food intake. All these factors collectively contribute to weight gain.
Usually, after menopause, your body tends to collect fats. Fat may not largely be stored in your hips and thighs; they accumulate mainly in your abdominal area. This fat-growth can be for life. Therefore, fats in your abdominal area can raise risks of several metabolic issues. Estradiol can eventually lead to a potential and uncontrollable weight gain.
Your reproductive system regulates your body weight. This link between your body weight control and reproductive function is largely intervened by estradiol and progesterone – two main female sex hormones.
A few women may be advised to go for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause-related symptoms. However, HRT too can affect your body in several ways, as there are potential risks involved in this process. Undergoing a hormone replacement therapy can also alter your metabolism and boost your body weight.
There is growing concern on how increasing obesity rate in adolescent women affects their wellbeing. Due to obesity and other related comorbidities, women face difficulty in controlling their body weight. Moreover, women who take insulin resistance drugs face similar challenges.
At large, your health condition also contributes to weight gain in your body. It can be primarily due to some medications you take.
If you are diabetic, you take steroids or insulin. You can even take other drugs to control your diabetes. These drugs have a potential to increase your body weight, resulting in obesity. Moreover, you might also take medications to treat your cardiovascular ailments. All these together indirectly result in weight gain.
Obesity is one among several disorders affecting your reproductive system. Some of them are disorders linked to endometriosis, ovulatory dysfunction, and cancers.
It is also vital to note that your lifestyle changes, aging, etc., play a key role in increasing your weight during menopause. Your lifestyle changes indicate your food habits, supplements, exercising, sleep, work routine, etc. You need to have a balanced diet along with your medication to control your body weight.
How Estradiol Works?
Estradiol functions by binding to estrogen-receptors mainly in the nucleus to regulate phenotype i.e. gene expression, and favors various bodily functions including your reproductive health, bone density and cardiovascular health.
Receptor-binding occurs when estradiol travels through your bloodstream and binds to estrogen-receptors (ERs) in nucleus of cells. Once bound, estradiol-receptor functions as a transcription-factor manipulating gene expression. This gene regulation then makes changes in cellular proteins.
Estradiol operates on estrogen-receptors to relieve urogenital symptoms i.e. vaginal dryness, hot flashes, etc. Estradiol also protects your Central Nervous System (CNS) with relation to ischemic brain injuries, trauma in your cerebral system as well as your spinal column.
Researchers could infer an improvement in menopause-related signs / symptoms with the use of transdermal estradiol.
What is Estradiol Vaginal Cream used for?
Estradiol vaginal cream is a medicated cream you can apply around your vagina. This helps to treat symptoms like pain, dryness of vagina coupled with itchiness, irritation, and burning sensation caused by menopause or low estrogen levels in your system.
As a woman, you go through menopause as a natural part of your aging. It signals an end of your reproductive years.
Estradiol vaginal ring, insert, and gel treat changes inside your vagina and surrounding areas. Most women use it mainly to reduce vaginal symptoms of menopause.
Estradiol topical sprays and gels treat and prevent hot flushes i.e. hot flashes, a sudden strong feeling of heat and sweating in women experiencing menopause i.e. end of monthly menstrual periods and change of life.
You can apply a high-strength estradiol cream (100 micrograms/gram), inside your vagina. However, you must only use it for a single treatment period, which is for a maximum of not more than 4 weeks.
Before taking estradiol, you should inform your healthcare provider if you have any other underlying health condition or allergic to some drug. You should also tell if you are allergic to specific type of foods, any preservatives, dyes, towards animals, etc.
You should ensure that you do not take estradiol with any other drug. Interactions between estradiol and any other drug can cause serious harm and lead to unfavorable consequences.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe the right dose. For additional information, you can read all instructions printed on pack or on label. This can be useful mostly for non-prescription or over-the-counter products.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Global Discount Drugs follows sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies and information from top institutions.
URLs Reffered
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9677105/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2889220/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19770-estradiol-vaginal-cream
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18156-estradiol-tablets
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/estradiol-and-progesterone-oral-route/description/drg-20452213
Mike is a licensed pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in community pharmacy management. He is dedicated to helping people understand their medications and improve their overall health. Mike enjoys reading medical journals and sharing practical health tips. Connect with him on LinkedIn for the latest in pharmacy practices."
Key Points
– Estradiol is a female sex hormone. It regulates female reproductive cycles called estrous, and menstrual cycles
– It is a medication to treat and manage postmenopausal symptoms due to decreased estrogen levels and progesterone. Symptoms include vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, heart disease, and an increased risk of osteoporosis
– It also helps women soon after hysterectomy i.e. surgical procedure done to remove the womb
– Estradiol is a powerful estrogen (E2) in your body. A sex hormone that regulates fertility, menstrual cycles, and several other functions in your body, including your brain function, bone health, and cardiovascular health
– Estradiol does not directly cause weight gain. During menopause, you experience decreased estradiol levels in your body. This indirectly contributes to your weight gain and changes in your body fat distribution, particularly around your abdomen
– Estradiol is available in different forms including vaginal rings, gels, sprays, creams, transdermal patches, injections, and as oral tablets
– Low estradiol levels in adolescence, or low estradiol levels during menopause, perimenopause may indirectly contribute to your weight gain. However, consistent high levels of estradiol could also cause weight gain. This can happen during pregnancy as it increases your appetite. It can also happen because of changes in your metabolism or anovulatory condition where estradiol levels badly fluctuate i.e. they rise or dip
Estradiol regulates metabolism and influences your body weight. During menopause, your estradiol levels decline naturally. Moreover, there are chances of fat accumulation and distribution in your body. A few studies even suggest that low estradiol levels are associated with increased appetite. Therefore, you will have more desire for food intake. All these factors collectively contribute to weight gain.
Usually, after menopause, your body tends to collect fats. Fat may not largely be stored in your hips and thighs; they accumulate mainly in your abdominal area. This fat-growth can be for life. Therefore, fats in your abdominal area can raise risks of several metabolic issues. Estradiol can eventually lead to a potential and uncontrollable weight gain.
Your reproductive system regulates your body weight. This link between your body weight control and reproductive function is largely intervened by estradiol and progesterone – two main female sex hormones.
A few women may be advised to go for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause-related symptoms. However, HRT too can affect your body in several ways, as there are potential risks involved in this process. Undergoing a hormone replacement therapy can also alter your metabolism and boost your body weight.
There is growing concern on how increasing obesity rate in adolescent women affects their wellbeing. Due to obesity and other related comorbidities, women face difficulty in controlling their body weight. Moreover, women who take insulin resistance drugs face similar challenges.
At large, your health condition also contributes to weight gain in your body. It can be primarily due to some medications you take.
If you are diabetic, you take steroids or insulin. You can even take other drugs to control your diabetes. These drugs have a potential to increase your body weight, resulting in obesity. Moreover, you might also take medications to treat your cardiovascular ailments. All these together indirectly result in weight gain.
Obesity is one among several disorders affecting your reproductive system. Some of them are disorders linked to endometriosis, ovulatory dysfunction, and cancers.
It is also vital to note that your lifestyle changes, aging, etc., play a key role in increasing your weight during menopause. Your lifestyle changes indicate your food habits, supplements, exercising, sleep, work routine, etc. You need to have a balanced diet along with your medication to control your body weight.
How Estradiol Works?
Estradiol functions by binding to estrogen-receptors mainly in the nucleus to regulate phenotype i.e. gene expression, and favors various bodily functions including your reproductive health, bone density and cardiovascular health.
Receptor-binding occurs when estradiol travels through your bloodstream and binds to estrogen-receptors (ERs) in nucleus of cells. Once bound, estradiol-receptor functions as a transcription-factor manipulating gene expression. This gene regulation then makes changes in cellular proteins.
Estradiol operates on estrogen-receptors to relieve urogenital symptoms i.e. vaginal dryness, hot flashes, etc. Estradiol also protects your Central Nervous System (CNS) with relation to ischemic brain injuries, trauma in your cerebral system as well as your spinal column.
Researchers could infer an improvement in menopause-related signs / symptoms with the use of transdermal estradiol.
What is Estradiol Vaginal Cream used for?
Estradiol vaginal cream is a medicated cream you can apply around your vagina. This helps to treat symptoms like pain, dryness of vagina coupled with itchiness, irritation, and burning sensation caused by menopause or low estrogen levels in your system.
As a woman, you go through menopause as a natural part of your aging. It signals an end of your reproductive years.
Estradiol vaginal ring, insert, and gel treat changes inside your vagina and surrounding areas. Most women use it mainly to reduce vaginal symptoms of menopause.
Estradiol topical sprays and gels treat and prevent hot flushes i.e. hot flashes, a sudden strong feeling of heat and sweating in women experiencing menopause i.e. end of monthly menstrual periods and change of life.
You can apply a high-strength estradiol cream (100 micrograms/gram), inside your vagina. However, you must only use it for a single treatment period, which is for a maximum of not more than 4 weeks.
Before taking estradiol, you should inform your healthcare provider if you have any other underlying health condition or allergic to some drug. You should also tell if you are allergic to specific type of foods, any preservatives, dyes, towards animals, etc.
You should ensure that you do not take estradiol with any other drug. Interactions between estradiol and any other drug can cause serious harm and lead to unfavorable consequences.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe the right dose. For additional information, you can read all instructions printed on pack or on label. This can be useful mostly for non-prescription or over-the-counter products.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Global Discount Drugs follows sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies and information from top institutions.
URLs Reffered
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9677105/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2889220/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19770-estradiol-vaginal-cream
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18156-estradiol-tablets
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/estradiol-and-progesterone-oral-route/description/drg-20452213
Mike is a licensed pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in community pharmacy management. He is dedicated to helping people understand their medications and improve their overall health. Mike enjoys reading medical journals and sharing practical health tips. Connect with him on LinkedIn for the latest in pharmacy practices."
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