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Menopause

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Where the hell can I get my HRT from??

29 replies

OnGoldenPond · 12/05/2022 10:01

Yet another thread about the HRT supply crisis I'm afraid.

I'm on Sandrena gel and can't get hold of it! I'm down to one week's supply now and the pharmacist has no idea when they will be able to fulfil my prescription . He openly said we are now like a third world country. He doesn't know what to suggest as all the alternatives are now impossible to get hold of as well.

I know a transwoman who has offered to give me some of their cross sex oestrogen prescribed medication to tide me over as there is no supply problem with this. When I run out completely I will be forced to take them up on their offer as I already have osteoporosis and the consequences of being without my medication for a prolonged period of time are serious.

Anyone found a way round this awful situation to get the medication they need?

OP posts:
OnGoldenPond · 12/05/2022 12:43

Anyone?

OP posts:
Mumblechum0 · 12/05/2022 12:46

I don't know anything about your financial position so forgive me if this is a stupid suggestion.
I go to a private GP who prescribes me with a bio identical HRT, just 2 pumps of one cream per day, and it contains all three hormones,and I just order repeat prescriptions online. They usually arrive within a couple of days.

If you're desperate and can afford it, maybe worth a try?

JinglingHellsBells · 12/05/2022 13:43

Is there really nothing you can swap to @OnGoldenPond

Have you tried to get estrogen-only patches to replace the gel? or the spray Lenzetto?

Have you also rang around as many pharmacies as you can?

My understanding is that there is a supply, but it's being dispensed as soon as it arrives at the pharmacy. It might be a case of calling daily if you can, and seeing if any of them have it.

AR ask your GP to prescribe something different. I've not heard anything about patches like Estradot being unavailable.

FVFrog · 12/05/2022 13:45

My pharmacist said she can’t get hold of any but told me to take it back to the GP and wrote down three alternatives she has got in stock. Just waiting to see what my GP decides is closest/best alternative

JinglingHellsBells · 12/05/2022 14:28

FVFrog · 12/05/2022 13:45

My pharmacist said she can’t get hold of any but told me to take it back to the GP and wrote down three alternatives she has got in stock. Just waiting to see what my GP decides is closest/best alternative

You can find the options to swap online @FVFrog Both the BMS and Dr Newson have this on the websites. Then you can tell your GP what's best and save time!

FVFrog · 12/05/2022 14:59

@JinglingHellsBells thank you! Will check it out

OnGoldenPond · 12/05/2022 20:32

Sorry everyone, got waylaid with work.

Pharmacist was very downbeat about the situation, said they don't have any prospect of getting stocks of any reasonable alternatives, not in any form even tablets (which are higher risk).

Guess the only option is to try to get to talk to a GP (no easy task) and get a prescription for an alternative, then spend all day trawling round pharmacists. This is turning into a full time job!

OP posts:
Mumblechum0 · 12/05/2022 20:53

eroseway.com/sign-in?next=%2F%3F

this is where mine come so from. £150 for 3 months worth

JinglingHellsBells · 12/05/2022 21:01

Mumblechum0 · 12/05/2022 20:53

eroseway.com/sign-in?next=%2F%3F

this is where mine come so from. £150 for 3 months worth

@Mumblechum0 Are you paying £50 per bottle of gel? Are you including Utrogestan or any other products?

That's terrible! The RRP is just under £5. I pay for my prescription (private) and at a private hospital the price per bottle is just over £10.

JinglingHellsBells · 12/05/2022 21:03

@Mumblechum0 Bio-identical HRT is not licensed. Unless someone has it prescribed for them, and 'made to order' they can't obtain it.

And it's not regarded as safe by UK consultants anyway.

Mumblechum0 · 13/05/2022 08:50

Oh really? I had no idea it isn’t licensed.

I just go to this private GP as she was recommended by lots of my friends and specialises in the menopause and she seemed to know what she’s doing. The £150 per bottle is for some stuff which has all 3 hormones in, tailor made in accordance with whatever the saliva test says is appropriate .

JinglingHellsBells · 13/05/2022 09:15

COMPOUNDED BIO identical HRT (cBHRT) is not licensed. This is the sort made in a private lab based on your saliva samples. I will leave you links. It's been criticised by all specialist menopause drs as being unsafe.

The main reason is that the progesterone part (you are using it as a cream?) cannot be properly absorbed by the skin and may cause overgrowth of the womb lining.

The only way to use micronised progesterone is either orally or as a pessary - it comes as a capsule.

The NHS las licensed REGULATED Body identical HRT. (rBHRT)

British Menopause Society statement on Compounded HRT

cBHRT formulation types
E1 and E3 function as competitive inhibitors of E2 because they use the same receptor.
Specialist pharmacies/cBHRT prescribers have interpreted this to mean that E2 needs to be ‘balanced’ with its antagonists, E1 and E3, in order to be physiological. Their rationale forms the basis for compounds such as Biest (E2 plus E3 in a 20/80 ratio) and Triest (E1 plus E2 plus E3 in a 10/10/80 ratio). These combinations are usually compounded with some progesterone and testosterone and/or DHEA. Concerns include:

The absence of medical evidence to support the practice of combining E1 and E3 with E2.

Is the dosage of estrogen higher than it needs to be to control symptoms or too low to control symptoms?

Is the dosage of progesterone sufficient to protect the endometrium in the presence of estrogen?

The absence of warnings on the products regarding potential risks and side effects.

In addition to the issues related to purity, potency and safety of cBHRT, many such products deliver progesterone transdermally in cream or gel preparations. The absorption of the latter is variable with fluctuating tissue availability and as a result may not provide sufficient endometrial protection.

Endometrial protection
Endometrial protection and avoidance of breakthrough bleeding may not be as consistent with separately administered oral MP as it is with standard oral continuous combined regimens. However, this may be partly due to lack of compliance due to the requirement for MP to be used separately with estrogen. Vaginal administration may improve endometrial protection through uterine first pass effect.

Key messages
cBHRT products are not recommended by the BMS they are not evidence based for effectiveness and safety and because rBHRT options are available

There is insufficient evidence to justify multiple serum and saliva hormone tests often claimed to precisely individualise cBHRT

Claims for the benefits of cBHRT have been largely extrapolated from studies of conventional rBHRT

rBHRT studies have demonstrated some advantages over other types of HRT, particularly those with androgenic progestogens

Further data from larger studies on major cardiovascular and breast endpoints are required to confirm the potential benefits of rBHRT

The management of women with menopause related problems should be underpinned by the principles and guidelines of the British Menopause Society and wherever possible, regulated products should be prescribed.

FunnysInLaJardin · 13/05/2022 13:32

OP, I have swapped to oral HRT as I couldn't get the gel and so far it seems fine.

I know doctors aren't keen to prescribe it, however I didn't get on with patches and no gel available, so really my last resort!

Ridingthegravytrain · 13/05/2022 13:36

www.pharmacygeoff-uk.md/Hormones-HRT/?page=2

No idea what their hrt meds are like but I buy various things from here

beachcitygirl · 13/05/2022 15:25

I have oestorgel and get it just fine in scotlan. Tried to fill my prescription when I was in London & pharmacist said not a chance.

WifeOfTiresias · 18/05/2022 22:08

Update - on the advice of the pharmacist I got the GP to change my prescription to patches.

Just had a message that my prescription is ready to pick up - result! Grin

GillianaT · 19/05/2022 14:11

Hi I've messaged you 😊

GillianaT · 19/05/2022 14:25

That was to @OnGoldenPond !!

GillianaT · 25/05/2022 12:08

This thread seems to have died off? Anyone still struggling with Estrogel? 🤔

SoyMarina · 25/05/2022 15:24

Estrogel is still unavailable.
Patch may be easier to source.

GillianaT · 25/05/2022 16:33

I’ve been trying to respond to @OnGoldenPond the OP as I have some unopened estrogel. I can’t use it now due to BC 😞

OnGoldenPond · 25/05/2022 16:46

GillianaT · 25/05/2022 16:33

I’ve been trying to respond to @OnGoldenPond the OP as I have some unopened estrogel. I can’t use it now due to BC 😞

Hi @GillianaT thank you for the kind offer but The pharmacist has managed to get hold of a supply for me. I'm sorry to hear about your BC, I wish you a speedy recovery Flowers

OP posts:
BigGapMum · 25/05/2022 16:51

I'm on Estrogel but my regular Lloyds pharmacy couldn't get any. I'd tried alternatives already but couldn't get on with any of them I phoned around 12 different pharmacy chains/independent pharmacies and none had any in but 2 asked me to call back the next day and one of them - Superdrug - was able to get some for me. Then I contacted the GP who sent a prescription direct to Superdrug so I could have them. OP I would suggest that you have a good ring around pharmacies in your area. Good luck.

AgathaX · 25/05/2022 16:57

I've been told by our local pharmacist today that gel is still not available but they can get patches. No spray either. However, our local pharmacy is pretty crap

AlisonDonut · 25/05/2022 17:00

GillianaT · 25/05/2022 16:33

I’ve been trying to respond to @OnGoldenPond the OP as I have some unopened estrogel. I can’t use it now due to BC 😞

Can you take it back to the pharmacist?