What does estradiol mean?

Estradiol is a steroid estrogen and the most abundant and potent type of estrogen. It is secreted by the granulosa cells of ovarian follicles, and its metabolites are estrone and estriol. Estradiol plays multiple important roles in women, including maintaining female reproductive health, promoting breast development, preventing osteoporosis, regulating menstruation, and assisting in contraception. It can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Clinically, estradiol is commonly used to treat various diseases caused by estrogen deficiency, such as menopausal syndrome and atrophic vaginitis. It can also be used for the prevention of osteoporosis and as a medication to suppress lactation. When using estradiol, it is important to strictly follow the doctor's instructions and avoid adjusting the dosage or discontinuing the medication on one's own to prevent adverse reactions.