You may have heard the words “estrogen” and “estradiol” and assumed that they mean the same thing, but while they are closely related, they are not exactly the same. Understanding the difference can help you better understand hormone shifts, skin changes, weight concerns, fertility questions, and the reason certain treatments may be recommended by your doctor.
Today, we will talk about what estrogen is, what estradiol is, how they differ, and how each one works in your body.
What Is Estrogen?
Estrogen is not a single hormone but is actually the name used to represent a family of hormones that perform many different functions in your body. These hormones help to regulate the menstrual cycle, keep your skin healthy and your bones strong, are involved in fat distribution and keeping your mood steady, and also contribute to sexual function.
There are basically three main natural estrogens, including
- Estradiol (E2): This is the most active type of estrogen in women who have not yet reached menopause.
- Estrone (E1): Is the main type in women who have gone through menopause.
- Estriol (E3): This form is the highest in women during a pregnancy.
What Is Estradiol?
Estradiol is the most powerful form of natural estrogen and attaches easily to estrogen receptors in many tissues in your body and has a strong influence on your skin, bones, brain, and your fertility and reproductive system.
Estradiol is what doctors usually measure when they check your “hormone levels.” It is also the most common hormone used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because almost everyone’s body responds to it very well.
What Estradiol Is Used For
Your doctor may prescribe estradiol HRT to help alleviate many different hormone-related symptoms that may include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats.
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sexual activity.
- Replenish low estrogen levels that may be caused by surgery or ovarian failure.
- To help grow and thicken the uterine lining so it can successfully prepare for an embryo during fertility treatments.
- Helps enhance the hydration of your skin and helps promote new collagen production.
Estradiol treatments can be administered through a pill, patch, gel, cream, or delivered vaginally.
Is Estradiol the Same as Estrogen?
Estradiol is a type of estrogen, but it is one of a few types of estrogen. Think of estrogen as the family name and estradiol as one member of that family, but it is the one with the strongest effect. Estradiol is one type of estrogen that makes up a larger “estrogen” family, and many people use the term “estrogen” when they really should use “estradiol.”
When people ask about estradiol vs. estrogen, they are usually trying to figure out why their lab work or treatment plan mentions one term and not the other. Lab tests often measure estradiol specifically because it is the strongest and most active form of estrogen. A treatment plan may list estradiol by name since it is the form used in most hormone therapies, which can be confusing if someone expects to see the word “estrogen” listed instead. Now you know the difference, so these terms will make more sense to you.
What Is the Difference Between Estradiol and Estrogen?
We already talked about how when the word “estrogen” is used, it most often means “estradiol”, but it can also mean “estrone” or “estriol” because it represents a family of hormones. The following is a chart with an overview of estradiol vs. estrogen.
| Estradiol | Estrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | One specific hormone | A group of 3 main hormones |
| Strength | The strongest form of natural estrogen. | Includes both strong and weaker hormones that make up the estrogen family |
| When it is most powerful | Before menopause | This varies by stage of life |
| The most common use of the name in the medical field | Normally used to describe key elements in hormone therapy and when monitoring hormone levels | Used in publications, medical notes as a general description of the hormone family |
What Is the Major Difference Between Estradiol and Estrogen?
The biggest difference when looking at estradiol vs. estrogen is that estradiol is a very precise hormone that is the strongest in the estrogen family, and estrogen is a broader term that represents three main hormones and a few lesser ones.
How Balanced Hormones Can Affect Your Appearance
The balance of your hormones not only helps to regulate your menstrual cycle, but it can also have significant effects on the appearance of your skin. Estradiol therapy can help with:
- Skin thickness
- Reducing fine lines.
- Skin elasticity
- Skin hydration.
- Repairing damaged skin.
- Building new collagen
- Maintaining stronger, more elastic tissue
- Improving the healing response after treatments like lasers or microneedling.
Many individuals notice adverse changes in their skin during perimenopause and menopause because their estradiol levels begin to fall. Understanding this connection helps to explain why certain treatments or skincare routines may be recommended.
FAQs about Estrogen and Estradiol
Is Estradiol Stronger than Estrogen?
Estradiol is the strongest form of natural estrogen, but it is incorrect to say that it is stronger than estrogen because estrogen is the name given to a family of hormones. The other two natural forms of estrogen in this family are estrone and estriol, which are weaker.
Which Hormone Is Called the Beauty Hormone?
People often call estrogen the beauty hormone because it helps give your skin its elasticity, boosts collagen production, helps your skin retain moisture, and contributes to healthy hair. The specific hormone in the estrogen family that is most responsible for these benefits is estradiol.
Does Estradiol Cause Weight Gain?
Some women notice that they experience shifts in their weight when their hormones begin to change, but estradiol has not been identified particularly as causing weight gain. There are many things that can contribute to weight gain as you get older, and the imbalance in hormone levels can be a contributor, so many patients do notice improvements in their body composition when their hormones are adequately balanced.
Estradiol and estrogen are connected, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. Estrogen is the name of the hormone group that is made up of estrone, estriol, and estradiol, with the most potent in the group being estradiol.
Does Estradiol Affect Fertility?
If you are undergoing fertility treatments, your doctor may prescribe estradiol to help:
- Build a thick, healthy uterine lining.
- Assist with helping the embryo transfer successfully.
- It keeps the lining of the uterus prepared for pregnancy.
- It helps regulate your cycle when your body is not making enough estrogen on its own.
You will likely see estradiol included in many fertility protocols. It gives your body what it needs to prepare for the implantation of an embryo and increases the chance of experiencing a successful pregnancy.
Where Can I Learn More About Getting My Hormones In Balance?
Dr. Angelina Postoev with IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa has extensive experience working with women to help relieve symptoms related to hormone imbalance. She offers BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) in Atlanta, GA, and the surrounding areas.
BHRT uses replacement hormones derived from plants that are an identical match to human hormones, so most women can use them without any type of side effects. Dr. Angelina and her team will work with you to determine the best type of hormone treatment for your circumstances and the form of administration that best suits your lifestyle. There is no reason to suffer needlessly when help is just one appointment away. Set up your consultation today to find out how BHRT can help relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
