BBC online - vaginal HRT to be sold OTC

[JinglingHellsBells]

Looks like things are on a roll with HRT being available OTC.
I think the devil is in the detail as to what is available.

Evidently it's called Gina10 :)

I assume this is a version of Vagifem which is 10mcgs.

I prefer Ovestin so I hope this change will encompass all types and not just those that are 'approved'.

Same for systemic HRT- announcement this morning.
Reading the detail it suggests that certain types will be available OTC.
I expect there will be minimal choice of maybe 1 patch for peri /post meno and the same for tablet form.

I somehow can't see gel and Utrogestan being available, especially as with the latter there can be a wide variation in dose when prescribed for the individual by menopause specialists.

There is even an online Government form where you can input your views on this. The consultation period asking for the public's views is open till 23 feb.

I got the impression from the news that the only thing they were considering selling OTC is the Vagifem/Gina 10. Not patches, pills or gel.

@WhereAreWeNow

I got the impression from the news that the only thing they were considering selling OTC is the Vagifem/Gina 10. Not patches, pills or gel.

No, there are two separate things. 1 The sale of systemic HRT, OTC 2 The sale of vaginal estrogen, OTC

Bother were headlining today and in the newspapers.

For sale? Why should women have to pay for this?

@ChickenStripper

For sale? Why should women have to pay for this?

Well why shouldn' t they?

We buy aspirin and other medication

@JinglingHellsBells I got the impression that the vaginal estrogen is something that's likely to happen soon (subject to consultation and MHRA approval) but systemic HRT OTC is some way off.

@ChickenStripper if you get free prescriptions then obviously you're better off getting any medication on prescription rather than OTC. But, depending on how they cost this pessary, if you pay for prescriptions it may well be cheaper (and definitely easier) to buy OTC.

[quote WhereAreWeNow]@ChickenStripper if you get free prescriptions then obviously you're better off getting any medication on prescription rather than OTC. But, depending on how they cost this pessary, if you pay for prescriptions it may well be cheaper (and definitely easier) to buy OTC.[/quote]
Ah yes sorry - I forgot as I get free meds.

My mother is 73 and is thrilled at this news. Shes going straight back on it 😃

@ChickenStripper

For sale? Why should women have to pay for this?

They shouldn't, but some women don't want to bother their gp, or it's hard to get an appointment, or the doctor is (ridiculously, for the types likely to be available otc) unwilling to prescribe.

I'll stick with mine delivered free to my door. (prescriptions are free over 60

Does this only help with vaginal dryness though?
I don't have sex (lone parent) so this might not help me at all.

Isn’t it only for over 50s? What about all the younger women who are suffering?

@megletthesecond

Does this only help with vaginal dryness though? I don't have sex (lone parent) so this might not help me at all.

I think it's sensible to stop/reduce vaginal atrophy anyway, as it can increase the likelihood of UTIs.

@MadameHeisenberg

Isn’t it only for over 50s? What about all the younger women who are suffering?

I don't see anything saying it's for the over-50s.

Maybe this is getting muddled up with HRT where it says it will be available for the over-50s ( and 1 year post last period which implies the only HRT available OTC will be continuous/combined.)

@megletthesecond

Does this only help with vaginal dryness though? I don't have sex (lone parent) so this might not help me at all.

No. The new 'label' for it is genitourinary syndrome (GUS). It helps with the bladder as well as vaginal health. And VA is not really dryness. It's shrinkage, pain, burning, itching, constant need to wee....etc!

[quote WhereAreWeNow]@ChickenStripper if you get free prescriptions then obviously you're better off getting any medication on prescription rather than OTC. But, depending on how they cost this pessary, if you pay for prescriptions it may well be cheaper (and definitely easier) to buy OTC.[/quote]
It may in time be something that is no longer prescribed anyway - like a lot of the medications for hayfever that are now sold in supermarkets.

It's not expensive. The price for a tube of Ovestin is around £5. Using it twice a week, it will last 7 weeks. Not sure of the price of Vagifem (the old brand for Gina10) but it won't be a lot.

@megletthesecond

Does this only help with vaginal dryness though? I don't have sex (lone parent) so this might not help me at all.

Yeah, it's not about sex! The first thing I noticed was a sort of 'need to wee all the time, slightly aroused, am I getting a UTI' feeling. Feels so much better now I'm on Ovestin.

And on this cheerful theme, having seen how 'mere' UTIs could cause MIL to become quite seriously confused (apparently it's quite common in elderly people) - its well worth doing preventative maintenance!

Women in their 80s and 90s use vaginal estrogen. It's not about having sex (though they might be.)

@ErrolTheDragon I agree. Since I had a total hysterectomy I have been plagued by regular UTIs. Luckily a new young GP to the practice suggested to try Vagifem to try to counteract this and much as I don't want to tempt fate, I haven't had one since and that has been 5 months whereas I was getting one about very 3/4 weeks.