If you are on NHS hrt how much of a hassle is it?

[CurdinHenry]

1. How often do you have to interact with your GP?

1. How difficult are they about flexing dose or type and adding in things like testosterone?

1. Why do numbers on Mumsnet all revert to 1

I was prescribed about 5years ago and that was that just get a repeat prescription every three months

I get a supply of patches every 12 months and have a Mirena coil. It’s very easy.

One or two follow up phone calls after I’d been on it a few months but after that it’s just been on repeat prescription for several years

GP was fine and the practice also had a specialist menopause trained nurse. I got testosterone prescribed by the gynae at the hospital who I was seeing about something else.

So you don't need an annual check-in or compulsory tests or anything?

I get it prescribed on repeat.
Rarely see the GP.

She does prescribe testosterone.

For me it’s a massive hassle as I use estradot patches and am allergic to the adhesive on fem seven and evorel which are the alternatives. Estradot supplies have been erratic for 18 months. The gp will not listen to me saying I can’t have the alternative and even if they issue a script saying estradot, the pharmacy is allowed to substitute. Total pain. I see a nurse twice a year for bloods as I also have an Under active thyroid, she usually says “everything ok with the patches” I say yes, and that’s it.

I'm new, on month 4. Had to see gp once a month, first 2 in person 3rd phone. And a blood test to check there wasn't anything else odd causing the issues eg arthritis in joints. Now referred to menopause nurse who only wants to see me every 6 months.

The standard regimen appears to have worked for me though, might be more hassle if it's more trial and error.

GP knew very little about anything. I asked for what I thought I wanted and now found out its not body identical (she didnt even know what body identical meant)

I cant be doing with the faff of gel so Im on patches. No review, she isnt interested in reviewing me. Im just hoping its doing some good. I have no idea

Every six months seems a lot...forever or just until your dose is right?

I'm in my 60s and have been on HRT for nearly 20 years. I have a ftf check with a GP yearly and I submit blood pressure measurements every few months. I think I'm quite lucky - I've never had any pressure to stop, and all the GPs I've seen at my practice have been amazing.

I've been asked to come in for a blood pressure tests annually and have had a telephone check up to make sure everything's going ok. Been on HRT for a couple of years.

Really easy. Started January 2023.
I increased oestrogen every two months until I got to 100mcg.
Didnt like progesterone so they prescribed vaginal pessaries.
Didnt like those so they fitted a mirena.
Testosterone from GP in August 2023.
Six month blood tests for testosterone levels.

Also private gynae said I needed estriol cream daily. So now have four tubes a month. GP happy to prescribe.

Easier than dealing with my asthma that's for sure!

Really easy, seen the nurse at the GP's, got prescription. Had issues with bleeding too much, was referred for tests.

I discussed things like testosterone, seems like it would be possible to get it if I wanted to.

Get my blood pressure checked fairly regularly but that's it.

I have an annual 'check up' - no face to face contact involved. I report my blood pressure reading online (measured myself at home) and then a follow up phone call with the pharmacist who asks if everything's ok, any changes etc and gives me the green light for another year. Then online prescription renewal every 3 months.

Easy peasy.

Other than your GP OP, many NHS sexual health/family planning clinics run specific menopause clinics. I used to use one for contraception. I'd either see a specialist nurse or a gynae consultant and found they had far more knowledge than my GP or practice nurse- because its their specialism.

You'd have to ring your nearest one to check, but might be another option to consider.
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic/

I’ve been on patches for 13 years, once a year I have to submit a BP reading and that’s it. Couldn’t be easier.

3 years on patches. Blood pressure check every year (just submitting my own readings). I get 6 months supply at a time. I’ve changed changed doses no problems.

Any prescribed drug has to be reviewed annually. (Some GPs don't always do that.)

This is not just HRT.

The NICE guidance is review at 3 months when starting HRT then annually, or sooner if there are any problems or anything to discuss like doses.

This is pretty much the same as my experience privately, which averages out as a review every 6-ish months or so.

I am usually annual review but faff this last few months as spotting changing from sequi regime to continuous ones. So, recently more checks and changes to regime. I think (hope) when all settles (fingers crossed) back to annual review. BP at gp been high so have been sending home readings- developed white coat syndrome...
Over last 5 years been on femoston 1/10, Femoston Conti, Evorel Conti and now evorel 25 and 100mg micronised progesterone (which I hope will be able to stick a while with!).
I wonder if private if would have started on different regime/ more choice? Was hrt shortage when started mind you in 2020...

I have an annual review with the nurse who asks how I’m getting on and if I want to make any tweaks to my HRT. I take my own blood pressure at home as I hate going to the GP so it’s always sky high there. Answer a few questions about diet, exercise and get offered advice on smoking even though I’ve never touched a cigarette in my life which always strikes me as odd. Get a prescription then that’s it for another year, I just submit a repeat request every three months.

It’s easy as long as nothing changes. They give testosterone but only becuase it was originally prescribed by the BUPA menopause service. I recently switched from gel to patches and it was many requests until until I got an appointment to discuss and then several more to change the dose. Otherwise I don’t interact - I order repeats online and I have to do an annual blood test for testosterone.

My GP had it on my repeat prescriptions so I could request every 3 months. Now I need to request it, answer a questionnaire and a submit blood pressure reading and then they issue a prescription. Not sure why it changed.

What age did you all start HRT? I’m 44 and feel awful BUT all my hormone tests are completely normal and gp says it’s not even perimenopause but I’m sure it is?