A national shortage of HRT could affect “almost all” of the UK’s menopausal women on the drug, but now the availability of alternatives is also uncertain.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) replaces the oestrogen that the body stops producing during menopause. Unfortunately, new figures show that around half these brands are currently unbailable in the UK.
High street pharmacies such as Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy are said to be experiencing shortages. This is currently thought to have been caused by manufacturing issues.
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It’s incredibly concerning for both GPs and women that there are currently significant national shortage of many HRT patches and some tablets".
HRT can be administered as patches, pills or gels, and there’s around 2.5 million prescriptions of it made every year in England.
MORE:These 40+ women joined Kate Upton’s #ShareStrong movement – and you won’t fail to be inspired
MORE: Study shows that drinking three cups of coffee increases risk of migraine
Dr Haitham Hamoda chairman of the British Menopause Society, told the Daily Mail: "There are 3.4million women in the UK between 50 and 64. The majority of these will have symptoms of the menopause, and the latest figures show around 200,000 are on HRT.
"There are a number of factors behind the shortage. Some products have been discontinued entirely and others have had manufacturing issues, creating a temporary shortage."
According to the Department of Health and Social Care, they first became aware of the supply problem in December 2018 and are now working with supplies to find a solution.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of ongoing supply issues with some HRT preparations due to manufacturing delays.”
Women have shared their experience via a Facebook group called The Menopause Room, with some commenting to say they’d been forced to change brands but alternatives either didn’t work or brought back common symptoms including hot flushes and even depression.
-
Honestly, Sienna Miller's plum-toned tartan cape and lacy tights made a chic winter warmer you won't regret taking inspiration fromSienna is a pro at combining both glamour and warmth when it comes to winter dressing
-
Gillian Anderson redefines the muted winter palette in vibrant crimson red shirt dressWe're shopping similar styles before they sell out
-
Can menopause cause a loss of taste and smell? Plus, 6 other signs of menopause you might not expectCan menopause cause a loss of taste and smell? It's more than just colds and flu that can change our tastebuds
-
The health benefits of protein powder for women, according to a nutritionistWe've got the scoop on the benefits of protein powder when it comes to your health
-
Wondering if you're postmenopausal? These are 9 ways your body changes post-menopauseThese are the body changes you can expect if you're postmenopausal
-
Can you get pregnant during perimenopause? Here’s how your fertility changes from your 40sIf you’re wondering can you get pregnant during perimenopause, we’ve got the expert verdict
-
What are the main menopause symptoms? Find out the signs and when to see your doctorA team of experts outline common menopause symptoms and how to deal with them
-
Here's how to tell whether you're experiencing menopausal weight gain—and what to do about itIf menopausal weight gain is knocking your confidence, this is everything you need to know...
-
How to calm down hot flushes if you are going through the menopauseHot flushes are thought to be caused by hormonal fluctuations—these are the best ways to ease them...
-
Menopause needs an image rebrand—let’s celebrate rather than fear itA convincing argument on why menopause can be a positive stage of a woman's life
