HRT - nobody gives a fuck about women

Yeah, that was me. Just to be fair, he did say he was going to make a silly ('facetious') analogy (one which he may make often so I hope he doesn't stumble across this) and when he'd made it, I pretty much said 'yes, that IS a silly analogy, HRT isn't at all like an illegal street drug!' I also said he told me I shouldn't be on it for longer than 5 years after 50, so please read my post on the menopause forum again.

But my overall experience (with other GPs over the years, not with him in fact, this was the first time I'd seen him about perimenopause) is much the same as many others on here. Badly informed GPs, one who told me very strictly I was NOT in perimenopause because I didn't have a) extremely irregular periods b) hot flushes c) a dry vagina and all the guff about 'not being allowed' to be on it for longer than 5 years (I've heard that from at least two GPs), as well as heightened stroke risk (I've only ever wanted to take transdermal).

We really don't need a 'Menopause Czar' though, we need some evidence-informed, up-to-date thinking and less of a postcode/random lottery. Some women do get the care and information they need without having to fight for it or argue. It's massively unfair that this depends on who you see.

It's taken me an age to remember what HRT I'm on.
Its novofem
If you know the generic name please post it. Cos then I can find it again and make sure the GP gets it right.
Asking because I am truly worrying about my next prescription and it's not fun. I have enough going on without this too.

Many thanks.

I'm not sure I'd still be here without HRT

this. I cannot state this enough.

@JustineMumsnet

Thank you!
I'm not sure I'd still be here without HRT.
It's a godsend

I'm not menopausal yet (mid40s) and grateful for those pushing this cause should I need HRT in the future.

I see on Twitter TW saying they love oestrogen for making them like fragile women (great they welcome brittle bones!). I see on here women saying they need it for normal things like being able to concentrate and sleep.
Surely if there's a shortage women must come first?

I have to say it’s nothing to do with pharmacists. I have spent hours going through endless HRT prescriptions to find the best and most available alternatives for patients. Then we have to spend hours again trying to get hold of a GP to change the prescription for us, it is a nightmare! I would love to be able to give an alternative without having to go through a GP, but I can’t see that happening anytime soon.

Generally speaking, your best bet is to try all small independent pharmacies first as they are likely to be able to get a medication supplied before a chain. These big pharmacy chains have restrictions on what they can and can’t order due to price, whereas independent pharmacies allow it!

Alternatively what you can do, is when you get a new prescription ask the GP to write it generically and not brand specific, because pharmacists can then give you whatever brand they have of that medication.

Its hard with Oestrogel because that is the only one that comes as that strength of 600mcg but you could try Sandrena gel which comes as 500mcg or 1mg. It depends how much you use, the pharmacist should be able to convert there and then for you and give you an appropriate dose.

But for tablet medications ask the doctor to put down the generic name i.e instead of “evorel 100mcg patches”, “estradiol 100mcg patches”, that way you can get whatever brand is available in the pharmacy.

I hope this helps some of you!

Wiki says from 25 up to 400mcg patches. Max dose is more than women get. I am aware of the odd woman being on 200 mcg under specialist supervision. Usually 100.

So yep Twitter was wrong (very sorry!)

I'll bet there's no viagra shortages.

For the last three years plus have been buying online, there's usually one website that has the patches I want in stock. Prices vary but average around £25 per month, which given had to pay a double prescription charge for a month at a time with my gp, is not that far off.
You just have to do an online review thing but can be a little flexible with the truth , ie Last seen GP etc.
I was planning post Covid to go back to GP and get from them but our surgery still only doing phone on day for emergencies and not making appointments in stance so it doesn't seem very doable really.

@Missproportionate I just tried googling (didn't really want to!) it wasn't clear, I don't think it's that high but I would imagine it's a hefty dose.

I couldn't agree with you more OP and have had the same back and forward trek between GP and pharmacists and really not anyone being remotely helpful. Why are no companies seeing an opportunity here to produce this?

OP
I am so glad you’ve written this and I could have posted the same, word for word.
I am beyond tired and angry.

I've just seen a thread on the menopause board where a Gp tried to tell a woman on hrt that she'd have to come off it at 50 and likened it to cocaine.

Dosage may not be correct - it was twitter

I tried to look on twitter re the hrt shortage, estrodot specifically, and found them all showing off their products, same stuff.

Funnily enough we were just discussing this last night and I said the very same thing at the event I was at - ie that women’s health provision across all ages is woefully inadequate From contraception to to pregnancy to post natal support to menopause. Would definitely be up for putting some pressure about this. Let me gather thoughts around the ask and how we can best agitate. Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming!

Fantastic, this sounds great @JustineMumsnet

I read TW need x8 our max dose. Admittedly on twitter, no idea if correct.

If so that's = 8 women on 100 dose patches.

Sorry for double post but I'm shouting it from the roof tops irl

Bears repeating again, it SHOULDN'T be this hard to find out information, gain the medication nor get diagnosed and prescribed what we need.

Bears repeating again, it SHOULDN'T be this hard to find out information, gain the medication nor get diagnosed and prescribed what we need.

The other huge issue I came up against was the absolute lack of information for women who are breastfeeding and need hrt.

It turns out transdermal is safer than the combined contraceptive pill and the perssaries, which can be prescribed when feeding, although not usually when establishing bf in the first 6 months. It also turns out transdermal oestrogen can be a pnd treatment.

I have been feeding for longer than most but I know so many older women in my position. I put off seeking help for a very long time as there was simply no info and it looked like I'd have to stop.

(And both times when I stopped or night weaned, symptoms got much worse so that wouldn't have been the issue. Without knowing it I was entering peri as I had my kids. Having number 2 helped lots of symptoms obviously and delayed it all for a bit.)

It should be so very hard to find out this stuff.

I am struggling too. Like you I am prescribed a two weeks supply. The pharmacy will only reorder 1 week before I run out and then I find out they have no stock. Have to go back to doctors for a prescription for alternative and try to find that. I feel like I am constantly trying to find stock in my area. Two weeks supply is ridiculous when it is something you take constantly.

Apparently not. I know some who seem to have tons of the stuff. They are rather chirpy about it on social media.

Also @Missproportionate just to say I hope you can get hold of some soon and feel more like yourself you poor thing.