Meta Information
ID:estradiol-valerate
Name:Estradiol Valerate
Schema Version:1.5
Alternate Names
- EV
- Delestrogen
Active Compound
estradiol
Intervention Type
therapeutic_agent
Delivery
Route:
intramuscular_or_subcutaneous_injection
Scope:
- systemic
Regulatory Status
- us:rx_drug
- eu:rx_drug
Indication
Focus:
healthspan
Description:
Used as menopausal hormone therapy to restore youthful physiological estradiol levels, mitigating age-related decline in bone density, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function in women.
Typical Protocol
- Typical doses range from 2-5 mg injected every 3.5 to 7 days to maintain stable physiological levels.
- Bloodwork is essential to titrate dose to target trough levels (e.g., 100-200 pg/mL).
- Must be co-administered with progesterone to protect the endometrium in women with a uterus.
Expected Cost Mean
Low Cost:
20
High Cost:
100
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Vial cost plus supplies (needles, syringes); often covered by insurance for approved indications.
Summary
Estradiol is the primary female sex hormone, crucial for maintaining bone density, vascular health, skin elasticity, and cognitive function. Injectable estradiol valerate provides a bioidentical form of the hormone, bypassing first-pass liver metabolism to achieve stable, physiological levels that can counteract many aspects of female reproductive aging.
Purpose
Restores youthful estradiol to support bone, vascular, and cognitive health.
Drug Class
estrogen_receptor_agonist
Drugs In Class
Empty Array
Impact
Score:
8.5
Justification:
Foundational for mitigating major aspects of female reproductive aging and post-menopausal health decline.
Evidence
Grade:
A
Score:
9
Justification:
Extensive human RCTs and observational data (e.g., WHI) on menopausal hormone therapy.
Safety
Score:
7
Justification:
Requires medical supervision; risks include blood clots, stroke, and certain cancers (endometrial, breast).
Flags
- Requires co-administration with progesterone in women with an intact uterus to prevent endometrial cancer.
- Increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), stroke, and pulmonary embolism.
- Data on breast cancer risk is complex and depends on formulation, timing, and duration of use.
- Contraindicated in individuals with a history of estrogen-sensitive cancers, VTE, or severe liver disease.
- Requires regular monitoring via blood tests and clinical evaluation by a physician.
Verdict
A foundational therapy for post-menopausal healthspan, requiring careful medical supervision.
Qualifier
route: IM, SQ injection, scope: systemic, focused on healthspan
Created
2026-05-08T02:28:02.644996Z
Ai Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)