Estradiol: normal range, high and low

In shortFor men the usual range is 10–50 pg/mL (36.7–183.6 pmol/L). For premenopausal women it is 30–400 pg/mL (110–1468.4 pmol/L), varying across the menstrual cycle; after menopause it falls to 0–30 pg/mL (0–110 pmol/L).

Reference ranges

Group	Reference range
Men	10–50 pg/mL (36.7–183.6 pmol/L)
Women, premenopausal	30–400 pg/mL (110–1468.4 pmol/L)
Women, postmenopausal	0–30 pg/mL (0–110 pmol/L)

Normal value ranges vary slightly among different laboratories. In premenopausal women the level moves with the phase of the menstrual cycle, so the day of the draw matters.

Check your value

Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.

A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.

What this marker is

Estradiol is the main estrogen measured in blood. In women it is produced by the ovaries — and the placenta during pregnancy; in men a small amount is released mainly by the testes, where estradiol helps prevent sperm from dying too early. Estrogen testing may measure estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), or estriol (E3).

The test checks how well the ovaries, placenta, or adrenal glands work. It is ordered when there are signs of an ovarian tumor, when male or female body characteristics are not developing normally, or when periods have stopped — estradiol levels vary with the time of the month. It also shows whether hormone therapy is working for women in menopause and whether a woman is responding to fertility treatment, and it monitors people with hypopituitarism and women on certain fertility treatments.

A healthy level depends on age, sex, the reason for testing, the type of estrogen measured, and the results of other tests. In males, estrogen levels do not change much throughout life, so a high level is usually a sign of a health condition such as infertility or an estrogen-producing tumor. In females, levels change a lot: they rise during puberty, are at their highest during pregnancy, and decline after menopause. Because the level changes so often, testing may be repeated to look for a trend over time.

The usual ranges: men 10–50 pg/mL (36.7–183.6 pmol/L); premenopausal women 30–400 pg/mL (110–1468.4 pmol/L); postmenopausal women 0–30 pg/mL (0–110 pmol/L). Before the test, certain supplements and medicines — such as the birth control pill and hormone therapy for menopause — may need to be paused on the provider's instructions.

When it is high

In men — usually a warning signBecause male estrogen levels stay steady through life, a high level usually signals a health condition such as infertility or an estrogen-producing tumor.

Early puberty in girlsPrecocious puberty is among the disorders associated with an abnormal estradiol result.

Gynecomastia in menGrowth of abnormally large breasts in men is associated with abnormal estradiol.

Genetic conditionsKlinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome are associated with abnormal estradiol results.

When it is low

Menopause and reduced ovarian functionLevels decline after menopause, and reduced function of the ovaries (ovarian hypofunction) lowers estradiol at any age.

Lack of periodsAmenorrhea in women is among the disorders associated with abnormal estradiol results.

Rapid weight loss or low body fatBoth can push estradiol below the range.

What can skew the result

These factors can shift the value without any disease — worth considering before a retest:

Phase of the menstrual cycleBirth control pills and hormone therapy for menopauseCertain other supplements and medicinesPregnancy — levels are at their highest

How to prepare

Certain supplements and medicines — such as the birth control pill and hormone therapy for menopause — may need to be stopped before the test. The provider should know about everything being taken; nothing is stopped without the provider's advice.

When a retest makes sense

Because estrogen levels change so often in women, the test may be repeated to look for a trend over time rather than judged from a single draw. During fertility treatment and hormone therapy, serial measurements are the standard way the test is used.

Who usually reviews this result

A result outside the reference range is usually reviewed by: a gynecologist or endocrinologist; a fertility specialist during fertility treatment. Bring your lab report and any previous results to the appointment.

Names used on lab reports

Your report may use any of these names:
E2E2 testEstradiol testEstrone (E1)Estriol (E3)Estrogenic hormone test

Units and conversion

Measured in: pg/mL

pg/mL = pmol/L

pg/mL × 3.672 = pmol/L. Example: 50 pg/mL = 183.6 pmol/L. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does the cycle day matter?

Estradiol in premenopausal women moves across the menstrual cycle, so the same number means different things on different days. The provider interprets the result against the cycle phase — and sometimes orders a series of measurements to see the trend.

Do men need this test?

Yes, in specific situations. In men estradiol is normally low and steady, so a high level usually points to a health condition such as infertility or an estrogen-producing tumor; abnormally large breast growth (gynecomastia) is another reason.

Which medicines affect the result?

The birth control pill and hormone therapy for menopause are the common ones — they may need to be paused before the draw, on the provider's instructions.

Sources

Estrogen Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed: August 29, 2026.
Estradiol blood test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed: August 29, 2026.

Estradiol