If you are a woman who has unexplained abnormal menstrual cycles, abnormal or heavy bleeding, infertility, symptoms of menopause, or any other hormonal alterations, this test can be used to measure or monitor your estrogen level. It is also used to test for fetal-placental status during early stages of pregnancy. This test might be useful to males with the presence of female-like characteristics.
When you think that you have symptoms of a hormone imbalance, abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual and/or early sex organ development (female), or when you want to monitor the health of your placenta and fetus during pregnancy.
Estradiol levels are used to help evaluate ovarian function. Estradiol helps diagnose the cause of precocious puberty in girls and breast development in men. Its main use has been in the diagnosis of amenorrhea, the absence of a woman's monthly period. It can help determine whether the cause is menopause, pregnancy or a medical problem. In assisted reproductive technology (ART), serial measurements are used to monitor follicle development in the ovary in the days prior to in-vitro fertilization. Estradiol is also sometimes used to monitor menopausal hormone replacement therapy.