Estradiol Valerate
E2V · Progynon
Injectable estradiol valerate, common in feminizing HRT. Simple model.
Key takeaways
- Most common injectable estradiol ester; ~3.5-day half-life, dosed every 5–7 days in practice.
- Approved (Delestrogen, Progynon); feminizing use is off-label but guideline-supported.
- Real human PK data, including a modern depot formulation comparison.
- Peaks run sharper than cypionate; titrate to trough estradiol, watch thrombosis risk.
Reported dosing protocols
Protocols reported in research literature and clinic/community use — informational context, not a dosing recommendation.
| Use case | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menopausal symptoms (label) | 10–20 mg | IM | Every 4 weeks | Ongoing |
| Feminizing HRT (community/guideline) | 2–10 mg | IM or SubQ | Every 5–7 days | Ongoing |
Pharmacokinetic summary
- Model tier
- Simple (t½ + F, Tmax estimated)
- Half-life
- 3.5 days
- Bioavailability
- 100%
- Typical dose
- 2–10 mg
Frequently asked questions
Valerate or cypionate — does the choice matter?
Modestly. Valerate peaks higher and clears faster, so weekly users often feel the last day or two; cypionate runs flatter at the same interval. Availability usually decides, since valerate is stocked almost everywhere. Titrating to trough bloodwork matters more than the ester.
Can the injection be given subcutaneously?
It's widely done, and community bloodwork reports comparable troughs, but formal PK studies of subcutaneous estradiol valerate are lacking. Injection volume and technique matter more than the route in practice.
Why do some people dose every 5 days instead of weekly?
The half-life is ~3.5 days, so a full week lets troughs dip low enough that some notice symptoms. Shortening to 5 days flattens the curve at the same weekly-equivalent dose. Whether the dip matters is individual; trough bloodwork settles it.
References
- PubMed (E2V PK) — Multiplier applied to match recent study graphs.
- Estradiol valerate depot bioavailability and PK (Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2012) — Single-dose IM PK of two 10 mg depot formulations in postmenopausal volunteers.
- Oriowo et al., Contraception 1980: PK of three estradiol esters — Valerate peaked higher than cypionate with a shorter tail.
Related compounds
Estradiol Topical (EstroGel)
Transdermal estradiol for feminizing HRT. Steady low-level delivery.
Estradiol Cypionate
Injectable estradiol cypionate used in feminizing HRT.
Progesterone (Oral)
Micronized oral progesterone; short half-life with high first-pass metabolism.
Protocols featuring Estradiol Valerate
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