Estrace Dosage: An Introduction
The dose of
Estrace® (estradiol) your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to Estrace
- The medical condition being treated
- Whether you have had a hysterectomy
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your Estrace dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Estrace Dosing for Menopause
When using Estrace for menopausal symptoms, it is typically recommended that this medication be taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period of time. However, the most effective dose (and how long it should be taken) can vary considerably from one woman to the next. For most women, the recommended starting Estrace dose is 1 mg or 2 mg once daily. If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase or decrease your dose.
It is recommended that Estrace be taken cyclically (such as three weeks on and one week off). Taking it cyclically can help promote regular, menstrual-like bleeding (and decrease breakthrough bleeding), especially in younger women. Some healthcare providers may also recommend continuous use of Estrace (every single day, without any breaks). Taking it continuously can result in a complete absence of bleeding (especially in older women), a side effect that many women desire.
If you still have a uterus, you must take Estrace with a progestin hormone, in order to reduce the risk of precancerous and cancerous uterine changes. The progestin can be taken every day or for just a certain part of the cycle (often the last half of each cycle). If you have had a hysterectomy, you do not have to take progesterone along with Estrace.
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