Estradiol is a generic prescription drug used to treat menopause-related symptoms, treat certain hormone disorders and cancers, and help prevent osteoporosis. Estradiol’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage and whether you have health insurance.
The price you pay for estradiol can vary. Your cost may depend on the form of estradiol your doctor prescribes, your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive estradiol injections if you’re prescribed this form of the drug.
To find out how much you’ll pay for estradiol, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or check out the section below to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your estradiol prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
Save on your estradiol prescription
Save on estradiol without insurance.
Enter your information:
Location
47201
Dosage
1mg estradiol (30 Tablets)
Save money without using insurance
Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy or order online and instantly save up to 80% without using insurance. The coupon doesn’t expire, so be sure to save it for refills.
Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.
Pricing source:Perks.optum.com
Estradiol is a generic drug. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.
Estradiol comes in several brand-name versions, including:
- Vivelle-Dot
- Vivelle
- Vagifem
- Imvexxy
- EstroGel
- Estring
- Estrace cream
- Evamist
- Menostar
To find out how the costs of the brand-name drug and its generic equivalents compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you’ve been prescribed estradiol and you’re interested in a brand-name equivalent instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you use one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may not cover all versions of the drug.
EstroGel is also prescribed to treat vulvar and vaginal atrophy (thinning and drying of the vulva and vagina). Generic versions have not received approval to treat this condition but may be used off-label for this purpose. (Off-label use is when a drug is prescribed for a condition it isn’t approved to treat.)
Vivelle-Dot and Vivelle are also approved to treat low estrogen levels in people with certain hormonal conditions, such as hypogonadism and primary ovarian insufficiency. Generic versions have not received approval to treat this condition but may be used off-label for this purpose.
Vivelle-Dot, Vivelle, and Menostar are also approved to help prevent osteoporosis (bone weakness). Generic versions have not received approval for osteoporosis but may be used off-label for this condition.
Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
If you take estradiol long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of estradiol if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower your cost for the drug. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of estradiol, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for estradiol. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of estradiol or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about estradiol and cost.
What’s the cost of estradiol with insurance vs. without insurance?
The cost of estradiol with insurance versus without insurance can vary based on several factors.
Factors that may affect your cost of this drug without insurance include:
- your treatment plan and dosage
- the pharmacy you use
- the form of the drug you’re prescribed
- the quantity of estradiol you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
- any cost savings programs you apply and qualify for
The same factors affect your cost of the drug if you’re paying through insurance. But in addition, your cost with insurance may depend on:
- your individual plan benefits
- any prior authorization requirements for your plan (see the “Prior authorization” section below for more information)
To learn more about your cost with and without insurance, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).
Whether you have insurance or not, you can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates for estradiol when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.
Does estradiol vaginal cream cost more than the oral tablet form of the drug?
The costs of different forms of estradiol may vary. A 30-day supply of estradiol vaginal cream may cost more than 30 estradiol oral tablets. Any cost differences may also depend on your health insurance (if you have any) and the pharmacy you use. To find out more, talk with your pharmacist or health insurance provider.
If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover estradiol. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether it’s covered. If estradiol requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.
Be sure to ask your insurance company whether estradiol requires prior authorization.
If you still have questions about the cost of estradiol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual price you’d pay for estradiol.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- What other nonhormonal treatments could I use instead of estradiol?
- Which form of estradiol costs less for treating symptoms of menopause?
- What will my total drug cost be if I also need a progesterone prescription?
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.