HRT to be made sold over the counter

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Will other sorts of HRT follow suit? Should other forms of HRT be sold OTC?

www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/20/hormone-replacement-therapy-to-be-offered-over-the-counter-in-uk

This really bugs me as for years now, menopause specialists have been asking for vaginal estrogen to be de-classified as HRT!

It's not HRT.

It's topical, vaginal estrogen.

Must admit the headline got my hopes up but when I read what it was for I was less fussed (selfishly, as it doesn’t affect me YET while some of the peri symptoms do). Thanks for the clarification @JinglingHellsBells . It’s all very new to me

Gina is another name for Vagifem/10mcg estradiol and is a treatment for vaginal atrophy , not systemic HRT. It’s a tiny dose in comparison. It will only be sold under stringent criteria - pharmacist consultation with lots of questions, have to be over 50, no period for a year, no increase of maintenance dose offered if symptoms aren’t resolved and will cost way more than a prescription - or free if over 60. Better if possible to see a GP.

Interesting to read the consultation comments, some of which I contributed to, including the acknowledgement that women who’ve had breast cancer are able to use it due to little systemic absorption.

thebms.org.uk/2022/07/easier-access-to-locally-applied-hrt-to-treat-postmenopausal-vaginal-symptoms-in-landmark-mhra-reclassification/

Does anyone know why it is required that a woman should not have had a period for 12 months? Also I thought this was preventative against atrophy?

What's the difference between this and vagifem?

@Worriedpanda50 No but it seems very odd as many women aged under 50 need it and are fully post menopause before then.

You can of course get it from your GP and not have to be 50!

It's the same as Vagifem but the new name is because (I assume) it' s now out of patent and they can call it something else.

It’s usually prescribed to control symptoms of VA. Although average age of menopause is from 45, with it being a pharmacist doing the checks rather than a GP and no examination done which might have ruled out other things there has to be more stringent criteria, hence the higher age and no periods for a year.

no examination done which might have ruled out other things there has to be more stringent criteria, hence the higher age and no periods for a year

It's a nonsense.

Most women are not examined for VA (too often they are given ABs when they have no need) and since lockdown many women are prescribed topical estrogen via phone calls to the GP.

I think this age barrier and no periods for a year is a huge mistake.

The no periods for a year seems to imply that VA won't occur until after menopause. I didn't think that was the case. Despite my age I don't know too much about menopause.

I think it’s better than nothing but unhelpful. You have to be over 50 and a full year without a period. I wonder why they included that criteria? Are they saying there are other likely reasons for a woman over 50 to develop vaginal dryness??

It seems a bit pointless in that you have to have a consultation with a pharmacist first so, other than possibly easier access compared to a GP, what's the difference? And will women need to have the consultation every time they need another packet? Or will it be on a database?

The other issue is it's only one choice- a pessary. For some women, cream is a preferred option as it can be used externally as well.

Be interesting to see how the price it and if it's more than a prescription.

I guess it might be helpful to some women unable to get a GP appointment for whatever reason.

Regarding pharmacist consultation there are guideline they should follow whether it’s a first or subsequent appointment. I read through it all when first out for consultation and it’s probably included in the link above somewhere

It opens the doors to other companies applying for approval of their local estrogen products to be classified similarly.

Given that these products are available from online pharmacies after going through health screening and the cost involved I think Gina will be more than a prescription, also keeping in mind that we can get annual pre pay.