HRT shortages leave Scottish women fearing return of menopause symptoms

Women going through the menopause in Scotland fear their symptoms will return because they cannot get their usual medication during ongoing shortages of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

HRT replaces the hormones oestrogen and progesterone as their levels fall in the run-up to and during menopause.

Patches and gels hit

Recent supply disruptions have affected a range of HRT patches and gels, forcing some women to switch treatments or wait for stock.

Women say switching products can cause symptoms to return, because different formulations are not always interchangeable. Pharmacists struggling to source supplies say the problem is getting worse.

"Your symptoms can come back"

Support group Menopause Warriors Scotland has warned that the shortages could have a significant impact on women's lives.

The group was set up in 2018 by Caroline Spalding and Jacqui Dillon after they shared their own difficult experiences of menopause. It now supports women across Scotland navigating menopause and accessing treatment.

Caroline, who has been on HRT since 2022, said changing treatment because of shortages can be hard. "I was told there would be no difference, and there was," she said.

"We get it to a certain level working for us, then you change that, and your symptoms can come back. It can be really distressing."

"That would have changed my life"

Jacqui says she was initially denied treatment in her 40s because of concerns about her family history of cancer – and found out 15 years later that she had been given incorrect information about her own risk.

"The fact I suffered so hard when I had a young child, I could have been put on HRT sooner. That would have changed my life," she said. "We don't want any other woman to get into that situation."

Barriers to treatment

Several women in the group said misdiagnosis and misinformation remain major barriers, despite growing awareness of menopause. They say they have had symptoms dismissed or been refused treatment.

One woman, Joanne, said her symptoms were so severe she believed she had dementia. She was also given repeated courses of antibiotics for urinary tract infections that she believes were caused by her hormone deficiency.

The group is calling for more awareness among healthcare professionals of how menopause affects women.

What to do if your HRT is unavailable

Women who cannot get their usual HRT product are advised to speak to their pharmacist or GP before stopping or switching treatment, so that any alternative can be chosen carefully. NHS Inform has information on menopause symptoms and treatment.