Estradiol Valerate Injection general information

What is Estradiol Valerate Injection used for?

Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to substitute for the lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries that happens during menopause or following surgical removal of the ovaries.  Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg relieves moderate to severe symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.  Estradiol Valerate Injection is also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and reduce risk of fracture.  Estradiol Valerate Injection is used to relieve the symptoms of advanced androgen-dependent carcinoma prostate cancer.  Oestrogen stimulates the development of female sexual characteristics, and Estradiol Valerate Injection is used as part of a transgender hormone therapy for male to female transsexuals. 

How does Estradiol Valerate Injection work?

Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg contains Estradiol Valerate, a synthetic form of naturally occurring oestradiol, which is the major and most active form of the female sex hormone oestrogen, and is biologically similar to the natural hormone.  Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside oestrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and in regulating the menstrual cycle.  Oestrogen also has several other actions in various metabolic processes including maintaining bone mass and lipid (fat) metabolism.

What does Estradiol Valerate Injection contain?

Estradiol Valerate Injection contains the active ingredient Estradiol Valerate, a synthetic form of naturally occurring estradiol.  Each vial contains 40mg/mL Estradiol Valerate, which is a long-acting estrogen preparation for intramuscular use by injection in a sterile oil solution.  It also contains benzyl benzoate, benzyl alcohol (preservative), and castor oil.

Treating symptoms of menopause with Estradiol Valerate Injection

Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg contain Estradiol Valerate a long-acting estrogen, used to treat symptoms of menopause caused by a lack of endogenous oestrogen (produced by the ovaries), such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.

Estradiol Valerate Injection for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg injections contain the active ingredient Estradiol Valerate, a synthetic form of naturally occurring estradiol, which is the major and most active form of the female sex hormone oestrogen and is responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics and regulation of the menstrual cycle.  Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg is used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and substitute for the loss of oestrogen production by the ovaries that occurs during menopause or following surgical removal of the ovaries. 

Estradiol Valerate Injection for transgender treatment

Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg injections can be used as part of a gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals, by providing a source of estradiol, an active form of the female hormone oestrogen.  Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg stimulates the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and also induces metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape.

How do I calculate how much to use?

If you have used Progynon Depot 10mg/ml before, you need to know how to calculate an equivalent dosage of Estradiol Valerate 200mg/5ml.

200mg/5ml is equal to 40mg/ml. Therefore, a 10mg dose (equivalent to a whole vial of Progynon Depot 10mg/ml) will be 0.25ml.

Here is the math to obtain a 10mg dose: 10/40 = 0.25ml of 200mg/5ml

If you need further assistance with calculations please use our Contact Us page for further advice.

Estradiol Valerate Injection for feminising hormone therapy

Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg contains Estradiol Valerate in a sterile oil solution, which is a long-acting estrogen preparation for intramuscular use by injection.  Estradiol Valerate Injection is a prodrug (or precursor) of natural human 17β-oestradiol, the most feminising form of the female hormone oestrogen, which provides a very effective means of feminisation when used as part of a gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals.  Estradiol Valerate Injection stimulates the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and also induces metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape, while at the same time overriding the effects of testosterone.   The more direct route of administration provided by injection may speed the physical change by creating a higher and more constant source of oestrogen.

What are the side effects of Estradiol Valerate Injection?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg include: breast tenderness, breast pain, abdominal pain, nausea, oedema, and headache, skin rash and itching, insomnia and depression.  More severe side effects include changes in liver function at higher doses and increased risk of dementia if initiated in women aged 65 or older.

What are the health risks of Estradiol Valerate Injection?

Long-term HRT with Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg does have associated health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.  For women with an intact uterus adding a progestogen to an oestrogen replacement regimen like Estradiol Valerate Injection for at least 10 days per cycle is recommended to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

When should Estradiol Valerate Injection not be used?

You should not use Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg if you:

• are allergic to estradiol valerate Injection or any of the ingredients in Estradiol Valerate Injection
• have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
• have deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular accident associated with oestrogen use
• abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• A diabetic taking antidiabetics or insulin, without discussion with your doctor, as Estradiol Valerate Injection may affect your glucose tolerance
• are taking other medications that may interact with Estradiol Valerate Injection, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, barbiturates, anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, antibiotics like penicillin,.

How should Estradiol Valerate Injection be used?

You should use your Estradiol Valerate Injection with a clean dry needle and syringe and inject the contents of one vial of Estradiol Valerate Injection (1ml) volume) deep into the upper, outer area of the gluteal muscle.  The usual dose is one injection every 4 weeks, depending on what you are being treated for.  How long you take Estradiol Valerate Injection injections should be as recommended by your doctor and may be for several months.

How long should you take Estradiol Valerate Injection?

How long you take Estradiol Valerate Injection injections should be as recommended by your doctor and may be for several months.

Missed dose of Estradiol Valerate Injection

If you miss a dose of Estradiol Valerate Injection take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Estradiol Valerate Injection be stored?

You should store your Estradiol Valerate Injection 40mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.