Estradiol?? why would dr. give this

[cctice]

My doctor said that estradiol my help thicken mucus and help with pregnancy...first of all...it has killed my sex drive..I know I'm on a small dose, but i just looked up side effects and it said BIRTH DEFECTS PREGNANCY CATEGORY X. Why would he give me something like that when I'm ttc??? I've only taken three doses, but I'm stoping it. I didn't have a test come back and say that my E-2 levels were low or anything.

[cctice]

Thanks so much...makes sense...I usually try not to get all wrapped up in warnings because I work in the pharmaceutical business, but that one did make me question the doctor...plus I just have side effects from it - which as I stated earlier isn't fun.

[Heather5]

No worries! Estrogen supplements are totally fine during your cycle. Lots of people use them. Personally, I was on estrogen until I was 11 weeks pregnant. It's a hormone your body produces naturally, and in even greater amounts during pregnancy, so you're fine! It's the same thing with progesterone. Lots of women use it both to get pregnant and to sustain a pregnancy, yet the bottles have a warning saying not to use while pregnant. Totally confusing for most people, who usually get it prescribed by their obgyns of RE's who are suppose to be the specialist. But like I said, they're fine. Although, the lack of sex drive is probably not too much fun.

As for what it does, it helps with two things in the first part of your cycle. Like you mentioned, it can help increase fertile cervical mucus...which is actually more watery and/or stretchy in consistency...and it can also help build the uterine lining in preperation for pregnancy. If your levels are already normal, however, you probably won't need a supplement....but I would probably wait until Monday to stop. That way you can call and ask your doctor first.

Best of luck!