Estradiol valerate
In addition to single-drug formulations, oral estradiol valerate is available in combination with the progestin dienogest as a combined oral contraceptive and intramuscular estradiol valerate is marketed in combination with the progestins hydroxyprogesterone caproate and norethisterone enantate as combined injectable contraceptives. Intramuscular estradiol valerate has also been marketed in combination with testosterone enantate, but this formulation has been discontinued. The availability of estradiol valerate-containing products varies throughout the world.
Estradiol acetate
Estradiol acetate, sold under the brand names Femtrace, Femring, and Menoring, is an estrogen medication which is used in hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women. It is taken by mouth or given as a vaginal ring once every three months.
Side effects of estradiol acetate include breast tenderness, breast enlargement, nausea, headache, and fluid retention. Estradiol acetate is a synthetic estrogen and hence is an agonist of the estrogen receptor (ER), the biological target of estrogens like estradiol. It is an estrogen ester and a prodrug of estradiol in the body. Because of this, it is considered to be a natural and bioidentical form of estrogen.
Estradiol acetate was introduced for medical use in 2001. It is available in the United States and the United Kingdom. The formulation for use by mouth has been discontinued in the United States.