estradiol

American  

[es-truh-dahy-awl, -ol] / ˌɛs trəˈdaɪ ɔl, -ɒl /

especially British, oestradiol

noun

1. Biochemistry. an estrogenic hormone, C 18 H 24 O 2 , produced by the maturing Graafian follicle, that causes proliferation and thickening of the tissues and blood vessels of the endometrium.

2. Pharmacology. a commercial form of this compound, obtained from the urine of pregnant humans and mares or synthesized, used in the treatment of estrogen deficiency and certain menopausal and postmenopausal conditions.

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estradiol British  

/ ˌɛstrəˈdaɪɒl, ˌiːstrə- /

noun

1. the US spelling of oestradiol

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Etymology

Origin of estradiol

1930–35; estra- (combining form representing estrin ) + di- ¹ + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

Eleven estradiol patch products are currently in shortage, according to data from the University of Utah’s Drug Information Service.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

The hormone estradiol could also be used to alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and progesterone could be used to protect the uterine lining and improve sleep quality.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 15, 2025

When the couple’s older child was 19, living at home as a college student, Mrs. James got a call from the pharmacy informing her that her child’s prescription for estradiol, or estrogen, was ready.

From New York Times • May 17, 2024

The researchers engineered the yeast to degrade proteins essential for life unless estradiol, a type of oestrogen, was present.

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 2024

So she and her colleagues began collecting urine samples from the primates and testing them for hormonal changes, such as increases in luteinizing hormone and decreases in estradiol, that indicate menopause in humans.

From Scientific American • Oct. 26, 2023