Last update April 28, 2026

Estradiol

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Natural oestrogen is available in oral, injectable and topical (dermal and vaginal) forms. In the form of valerate, it is used as a contraceptive in combination with a progestogen. Oestradiol is found naturally in breast milk. (McGarrigle 1983)

Estradiol is excreted in breast milk in small amounts following administration as vaginal suppository (Nilson 1978) or in negligible amounts following transdermal administration (Pinheiro 2016, Perheentupa 2004), and no problems have been observed in infants whose mothers were taking it. (Shalit 2025, Reisman 2018, Pinheiro 2016)

Plasma levels in these infants were undetectable or very low. (Pinheiro 2016) 

Although levels in breast milk have been undetectable following administration via transdermal patches (Pinheiro 2016, Perheentupa 2004), an older publication linked the use of transdermal oestradiol to a case of jaundice and poor weight gain in the first month of life. (Ball 1999)

American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding. (AAP 2001)

For a detailed discussion with references:

  • on why non-hormonal methods are the first choice during the first 4–6 weeks postpartum, followed by IUDs and progestin implants,
  • on the potential problems associated with the use of combined estrogen-progestin contraceptives,
  • the possible decrease in milk production with estrogen use,
  • and why progestin-only contraceptives are preferable during breastfeeding,

see below: “(Combined Estrogen + Progestin Contraceptives, COCs)”


See below the information of these related products:

  • (Combined oestrogen-progestogen contraceptives, COCs) (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Estradiol + Dienogest (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Estradiol + Medroxyprogesterone (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Estradiol + Nomegestrol (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Estradiol + Norethisterone (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

  • Ethinylestradiol (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

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José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

Estradiol is also known as


Estradiol in other languages or writings:

Group

Estradiol belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Estradiol in its composition:

List of 25 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 100 %
Molecular weight 272 daltons
Protein Binding 98 %
VD 1 l/Kg
pKa 10.33 -
Tmax 1 - 4 hours
T½ oral: 16.9 ± 6.0 hours
M/P ratio 0.1 -
Relative Dose Ovulos: <0.02. Transder: 0 %

References

  1. Shalit S, Yehuda S, De-Haan T, et al. High dose estrogen during breastfeeding-a prospective study. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2025;109 (Suppl 2):25-6. (Cit. LactMed) Full text (link to original source)
  2. Reisman T, Goldstein Z. Case Report: Induced Lactation in a Transgender Woman. Transgend Health. 2018 Jan 1;3(1):24-26. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Pinheiro E, Bogen DL, Hoxha D, Wisner KL. Transdermal estradiol treatment during breastfeeding: maternal and infant serum concentrations. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Perheentupa A, Ruokonen A, Tapanainen JS. Transdermal estradiol treatment suppresses serum gonadotropins during lactation without transfer into breast milk. Fertil Steril. 2004 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  5. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Ball DE, Morrison P. Oestrogen transdermal patches for post partum depression in lactating mothers--a case report. Cent Afr J Med. 1999 Abstract
  7. Kuhnz W, Gansau C, Mahler M. Pharmacokinetics of estradiol, free and total estrone, in young women following single intravenous and oral administration of 17 beta-estradiol. Arzneimittelforschung. 1993 Abstract
  8. McGarrigle HH, Lachelin GC. Oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol glucosiduronates and sulphates in human puerperal plasma and milk. J Steroid Biochem. 1983 Abstract
  9. Nilsson S, Nygren KG, Johansson ED. Transfer of estradiol to human milk. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1978 Abstract

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