A normal oestradiol level in women usually sits between 80 and 1500 pmol/L. Which part of that range is normal depends on your cycle phase. An oestradiol value of 320 is perfectly normal on day 10. Around ovulation the same value is oddly low.
My point, straight away: an oestradiol table without the cycle day attached is misleading. The phase you are in often matters more than the number itself.
What is oestradiol?
Oestradiol (E2) is the most active oestrogen and is made mainly in your ovaries. Oestrogen is the name of the whole hormone group; oestradiol is the member the lab measures. It drives the maturing of the egg and the build-up of the uterine lining. It also supports your bone density.
In men it is made from testosterone, mostly in fat tissue.
Oestradiol levels table by cycle phase
In women of reproductive age the value swings a lot. That is how it should be. Below are guide values in pmol/L (picomoles per litre), the unit most Dutch labs use.
| Cycle phase | Reference range (pmol/L) | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Follicular phase | 80 to 300 | Rises as an egg matures |
| Ovulatory phase | 400 to 1500 | Peak triggers ovulation |
| Luteal phase | 150 to 900 | Stays elevated after ovulation |
| After menopause | usually below 100 | The ovaries make almost no oestradiol |
Source: NVKC reference values. Reference ranges differ between labs and test methods. Star-SHL, for example, gives 45 to 854 pmol/L for the follicular phase. After menopause that lab uses 18 to 505.
Always read the reference range printed on your own result.
Oestradiol levels in nmol/L or pg/mL
Does your lab use pg/mL instead of pmol/L? Convert using the factor 3.67: 50 pg/mL equals about 183 pmol/L. If the report says nmol/L, divide by a thousand: 0.3 nmol/L is 300 pmol/L.
One thing stands out in the table: the ranges overlap a lot. A value of 200 pmol/L fits both the late follicular phase and the luteal phase. That is not a flaw. It follows from how your cycle works.
Oestradiol rises and falls smoothly, without sharp borders between phases.
Normal oestradiol levels by life stage
Besides your cycle day, your life stage decides what is normal. The Dutch Health Council (Gezondheidsraad) describes menopause as a gradual process. The ovaries make less and less oestrogen, and you see that reflected in the values.
| Life stage | Typical oestradiol value (pmol/L) |
|---|---|
| Prepubertal | Under 55 |
| Reproductive age | Per the cycle table above |
| Pregnancy | Far above the cycle ranges and rising each trimester; the cycle table does not apply |
| Perimenopause | Highly variable: under 100 one month, above the follicular upper limit the next |
| Postmenopause | Usually under 100, often under 55 |
| During hormone therapy | Depends on type and dose; your doctor sets the target |
Oestradiol levels in menopause
In perimenopause your oestradiol level swings from month to month, sometimes from week to week. A low result in June therefore says little about July. After menopause the value stays low, usually under 100 pmol/L.
Which values fit menopause? A low oestradiol together with an FSH above 25 IU/L fits the picture. A single reading proves little, because the value changes every month. If you take the pill, it suppresses your own values and the result is not usable.
Which hormones do say something? That is covered in blood tests for menopause and in the FSH guide. The Menopause Check measures oestradiol, FSH and your thyroid in one go.
Oestradiol levels in men
Men make oestradiol too, from testosterone. The NVKC gives 120 to 180 pmol/L as the reference for adult men. Other labs use a lower limit around 40.
A higher value occurs with excess weight, because fat tissue converts testosterone. Anabolic steroid use raises it too.
Low oestradiol levels
An oestradiol level below the range for your phase often has an ordinary cause. Think of menopause, intensive exercise, being underweight or a cycle without ovulation. Typical symptoms are hot flushes, dry mucous membranes, poor sleep and, over time, bone loss.
Below 80 pmol/L on day 2 to 5 of your cycle? Discuss that with a doctor.
High oestradiol levels
A value above your phase's range can relate to excess weight, certain medicines or hormone therapy. Around ovulation a peak up to 1500 pmol/L is normal, so check your cycle day first. Symptoms of a lasting high value are tender breasts, heavy periods and fluid retention.
Per the Dutch GP guideline (NHG), an abnormal oestradiol value alone rarely supports a diagnosis. Your symptoms and your cycle weigh more.
How to read your own oestradiol result
Do not lay your number next to an average, but next to your situation. Take into account:
- Your cycle day. 200 pmol/L is normal on day 10 but low around ovulation.
- Your age. In perimenopause the value swings sharply month to month. A single reading rarely tells the whole story.
- Your lab's reference range. Compare within the same lab if you track values over time.
- Medication. Hormonal contraception suppresses your own oestradiol. The value then says nothing about your natural balance.
Two common reading mistakes
The first mistake is confusing units. Check a pg/mL value against a pmol/L table by mistake? Your oestradiol suddenly looks far too low. So always check which unit is on your report before you panic or feel reassured.
The second mistake is comparing the value with an average instead of with your own phase. A table shows broad ranges, because it must cover the whole cycle. Your value belongs in exactly one row.
Unsure of your cycle day because it is irregular? A repeat measurement or a broader panel can help.
Always discuss a result that worries you with a doctor. They place it in your broader picture.
Want your value measured in context? A women's hormone panel maps oestradiol alongside your other hormones. Then dig into the single marker oestradiol (E2) or progesterone. It is the ratio between the two that explains many symptoms.
Which tests make sense when is covered in our overview of hormone testing for women.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal oestradiol level for a woman?
It depends on your cycle phase. In the follicular phase 80 to 300 pmol/L is normal, around ovulation 400 to 1500. In the luteal phase 150 to 900 applies, and after menopause under 100 pmol/L.
Which oestradiol level fits menopause?
There is no fixed cut-off. In perimenopause the value swings widely; after menopause it usually sits under 100 pmol/L. A low oestradiol together with an FSH above 25 IU/L fits menopause. Your doctor looks mainly at your symptoms and your cycle.
How do I convert pg/mL to pmol/L?
Multiply the pg/mL value by 3.67. For example, 50 pg/mL comes to about 183 pmol/L. Most Dutch labs report in pmol/L.
Do I need to fast for an oestradiol test?
Fasting is not required for oestradiol. It is best to have blood drawn in the morning. For a baseline value, day 2 to 5 of your cycle is the best moment.
Can my oestradiol be normal while I still have symptoms?
Yes, it can. Your symptoms may relate to the ratio between oestrogen and progesterone. Other hormones play a part too, such as cortisol or your thyroid. A broader panel can, together with a doctor, offer more insight.
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