MNHQ here: have you had difficulty obtaining HRT?

[RhiannonEMumsnet]

Hi there,

We know that many Mumsnet users have experienced problems obtaining HRT when they want/need it, and we’d like to get a sense of the scale of the issue to inform our campaigning work.

We’d really appreciate it if you could let us know (via the poll on this thread) if you’ve had a problem getting HRT when you wanted or needed it in the last year. It could be that you struggled to get a prescription from your GP - or to get an appointment to see them in the first place! Or any other obstacle that you encountered.

If you’d like to share a bit more about your experience then please do post on the thread - we’d love to hear from you.

Thanks,
MNHQ

Ticked the box for No, because basically it's been fine and I have no complaints but

1. I was refused a prescription for a month because I was waiting for a scan for breast lumps and my 2WW appointment got lost, (I ended up going private, all benign and my HRT prescription was renewed).
2. my local pharmacist only had enough supply for half my prescription last time so I had to come back the next week to collect the second box.

But basically it's been great - ring up, make appointment, talk to GP/GP's in-house pharmacist on phone or in person. They talk me through the options, check my risk factors, prescribe me what seems appropriate, I walk five minutes across the road to the pharmacist who already has the order on the system, collect my free meds (I have thyroid issues so my prescriptions are free) and go home.

I'm on the app so can't see the poll.

I've had NO problems getting either the prescription or the medication. I'm in London.

However I have had a huge challenge with the new shaped cylindrical oestrogen gel (Besins) that many others here have faced.

I’ve ticked no because I get mine privately from a specialist who uses a compounding pharmacy.

I am bolshy assertive and I had to really get quite cross - I have a complicated health history and they were trying to refuse me - but after me pushing back they spoke to Gynae at the hospital who advised them what I could have (if only this worked everywhere).

At times I've had to have only a month's worth of prescription - it's easier since I've moved to vaginal progesterone and oestrogen patches - was much harder when I was trying to get oestrogel. I've also found some pharmacies try more and have better networks to secure the meds - I have switched and had far fewer problems.

I have had the best experience out of all my friends with GPs in that I was prescribed HRT at my first appt, many others have had to jump through many hoops to be able to even try it - let alone try different sorts until they found what worked. I am so concerned with the new CBT recommendation that we'll be all deemed mad (again) and denied access to medication that for some of us has been life-changing (some of my health conditions were really exacerbated by the low oestrogen in addition to my mental health).

I use Boots Online and before them Lloyds Online and yes on at least three occasions have had problems getting the Oestrogel. I am also currently trying to track down some Testogel/Testim which has also been in short supply. previously.

There was an ongoing issue of supply with Utrogestan at least up to Feb/March 2023 where many women had to swap to an alternative, or wait for stock to come in.

I'm able to get HRT in tablet form quite easily although I know that transdermal is hard to get. I couldn't get testosterone for a few months though.

1. easy to get prescribed patch and it is readily available
2. easy to get prescribed cream but it is hard to find in the pharmacy
3. hard to get prescribed tablets, GP office is policing it and refuse that my decision is that I want tablet form hrt
4. no problems getting an appointment to see my gp
5. this is in Wales

I've had several instances of the pharmacy not having stock of my patches (Evorel Conti). I've had to drive to different ones to get my prescription filled.

Problems getting Utrogestan earlier this year to the extent I was having to get a strip from friends. Also had one prescription where they gave me a different progesterone citing supply issues.
No problems getting GP appointment to get prescribed in the first instance (just over a year ago) and very happy with my combination (Lenzetto spray and Utrogestan).

I'm also on the app so I can't see a poll, but will add my comments.
Yes, I have had a major problem with this.
I'm in London, for context, if that makes any difference.

First, I have had and continue to have difficulties getting an appointment with a GP. It usually takes me around three weeks to be able to find an available appointment, and then a week or so wait for the appointment to arrive. My surgery's default now is to offer telephone appointments, so then if in the course of that appointment it's decided you need to be seen in person there is then a further wait for an in-person appointment to be available.

Second, I have actually been trying to speak to a GP about menopause for a few years but kept being fobbed off, with my symptoms put down to stress, anxiety, laziness (!), poor diet, etc. It was in my sixth appointment that I insisted I wanted to address menopause as a possibility. It then took a further two appointments to finally get a prescription for HRT.

Third, now I'm on HRT but it's not working as I hoped it would and I'm wondering about adjusting the dose but when I finally managed to get another appointment the GP I spoke to didn't know what to suggest. When I described my symptoms he said "there isn't much we can do about that.

So in summary, there is a lack of GP availability, and the GP's lack understanding of the menopause.

I can't see the poll. No issue with getting prescription, except it's only for a month's worth, so constantly requesting repeat prescriptions. Loads of issues fulfilling the prescription. One month I visited 4 pharmacies before I found one that had it. Pharmacy attached to my GP had some the whole time, but I can't get medication from there because I live too close or too far away (I can't remember which). Prescription system is not fit for purpose. Once one item is dispensed, the same pharmacy has to fulfil both items. Have now had them separated, but it seems far far more complex than it needs to be.

I have used Estradot patches for years and now even my private consultant can’t source it for me. Finally (after several months) I have been prescribed some different patches. It’s been the worst in many years and there have been some Estradot crises before. Not sure whether they are just not making them any more?

Yes, I've had to change from Estrodot to Evorel because it became impossible to get Estrodot. I was wasting so much time driving round dozens of pharmacies in the vain hope of finding it. Eventually I gave up and switched to Evorel. Switching caused a real blip - a bit of a mental health crash and a recurrence of symptoms. I stuck with it and it settled down.
I'd love to know the real cause of these shortages. I've never had issues like this with any other prescription.

I had supply issues for my utrogestan tablets earlier this year. Switching from online suppliers to a local pharmacy solved this problem.

I was prescribed Evorel patches and Utrogestan in February, but couldn’t actually get my prescription for Utrogestan filled until March. But since then, I’ve had no problems with supply each time I’ve requested my repeat prescription. I order from the dispensary attached to my surgery.

Can't see the poll. In London and have no problem getting gel and tablets. However since Covid my GP only prescribes 3 months supply whereas previously it was 6 months supply. Feels like taking up unnecessary GP and pharmacy time to keep prescribing so often.

Yes I've had terrible problems over the past 2-3 years.

After a total hysterectomy several years ago I tried various gels and patches until I found one that really suited me, which was Estradot (Novartis).

There were 3 complete stock outs of Estradot during the time I was using it, which caused a lot of stress as in order to be dispensed Estradot specifically, I have to have a prescription that states the brand, otherwise a pharmacy will dispense whatever they happen to have.

When the brand is in stock out the pharmacy cannot dispense an alternative so I have to then request a new prescription for a generic, which wastes everyone's time, on top of actually securing patches at all because as soon as one brand goes out if stock, pharmacies start running out of alternatives too.

Eventually I've had to swap to a generic prescription which doesn't suit me because I am very sensitive to changing brand.

I haven't encountered any supply issues since but its been hugely frustrating not to be able to use my preferred option that my GP agrees is best for me and has always been happy to prescribe.

I managed to get a prescription eventually, after securing an appointment (not easy). However, I've been a couple of days without HRT as I haven't been able to get an appointment for a review and unable to repeat prescription as I'm new to HRT.

I don't think it's an ideal situation to be taking these medications with interruptions and gaps.

I've been given a temporary supply (1 week) but there's no guarantee I'll get an appointment within that time. It's a call on the day situation, for a same day appointment, usually a phone appointment.

Initially there was an issue with getting it prescribed as designated hrt dr at surgery was pissed off I’d made complaint reluctant.

Once prescribed it was only month to month for well over a year but changed to quarterly since last Christmas.

Never had a problem with being in stock at pharmacy at any point.

(patches)

My GP wouldn’t entertain the idea that I was having peri symptoms as I’m not 50 yet.

I ended up getting oestrogen cream from Superdrug online.

It’s ridiculous that an online pharmacy is more helpful than the GP who has known me and my family for decades.

I have gone 7 months asking my doctor for hrt probably once evry 2 months. I've had blood tests to show my estrogen is low and an internal scan to show my womb lining is very thin.
This week I rang up and asked for another appointment to be given one with the locum who has FINALLY agreed I should be on hrt and prescribed it for me.

@RhiannonEMumsnet Surely you realise that the question itself is biased and will skew the results towards the negative? Well never let a prejudice get in the way of a good story/moan, eh?

I have. I started on HRT in January 2022, I have had a hysterectomy so use estrogen patches only (no progesterone). Started on Evorel patches but rapidly found the glue causes an itchy, red, dermatitis reaction. Estradot much better but for the last 18 months supply has been very erratic.

Once when I was down to my last packet and calling round in desperation every pharmacy in west Glasgow it was like that Yellow Pages ad from the 80s where the guy is looking for a copy of Fly Fishing by JR Hartley. I must have called 20 places before finding stock, then dropped everything and straight into the car to go and get it. Situation slightly better now - but only because I am on the 75 mcg patches which appear less in demand than the 50s or 100s.

And on the prescription thing - yes. It took four appointments with four GPs before finally getting the prescription. Despite being 49 and 5 years post-hysterectomy. More information from the forum on here than from any medical professionals in my area.