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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

HRT - nobody gives a fuck about women

194 replies

Missproportionate · 26/04/2022 09:03

Angry face 🤬

Can't get Estrogen Gel for love or money. Having been on it a year I know I can't function without it - as in I have to lie perfectly still and not move for hours on end due to vertigo, flushes dizziness, palpitations... (not posting for advice as I've done lots of posting about that elsewhere and researched myself coz GPs know fuck all)

I have spent many, many hours I won't get back being misdiagnosed, minimised, etc before finally getting a prescription. Now it's totally unavailable and I have to spend hours on the phone getting GPs and pharmacists to re-prescribe whatever estrogen is available within a 20 mile radius, taking time off work, cancelling appointments for myself and all the people in my family I care for (sandwich generation of course 🙄 - = I provide free care for elderly rels as well as DCs)

I've had it and angry. Aibu to think this is a fundamentally mysoginistic problem I have and I feel like this stuff is being witheld by almost deliberate means?

Even when I do get it they won't give me enough as they are too stupid to do the sums. The pharmacist managed to work it out so I only got 2 weeks worth (when GP agreed to 3 months) and now I'm off on another phone spree round the pharmacies!
Congratulations if you've read all that. I felt this board the only one that will sympathise!

I'm also angry at the general schooling of women into health woo because we don't get our health problems properly addressed and the women I know who won't take HRT and suffer this shit because they 'don't want to take hormones' or 'GP said not suitable for me' or 'I will suffer and then take this ineffective herb and pretend it helps'

OP posts:
derob · 26/04/2022 09:09

What a nightmare situation. Not sure if this helps www.gponline.com/extraordinary-demand-leads-shortage-hrt-products/womens-health/menopausal-and-hrt/article/1752740

BenCooperisaGod · 26/04/2022 09:12

Listen to the last episode of the 28ish days later podcast. It is the amazing Lesley Regan calling foe the establishment of womens health centres throughout the land. So you can have your smear, your mammogram, your contraceptive needs, your menopausal needs, your gynae needs all addressed in one place at one time by suitably educated and informed clinicians.

The woman's health strategy should be announced soon. We need a mumsnet campaign to make this a reality. @JustineMumsnet are you up for it. I would happily give time to it.

PonyPatter44 · 26/04/2022 09:23

BenCooperisaGod · 26/04/2022 09:12

Listen to the last episode of the 28ish days later podcast. It is the amazing Lesley Regan calling foe the establishment of womens health centres throughout the land. So you can have your smear, your mammogram, your contraceptive needs, your menopausal needs, your gynae needs all addressed in one place at one time by suitably educated and informed clinicians.

The woman's health strategy should be announced soon. We need a mumsnet campaign to make this a reality. @JustineMumsnet are you up for it. I would happily give time to it.

That is an excellent idea, and definitely something we should be fighting for. If I can help, I will.

Original poster
Missproportionate · 26/04/2022 09:25

BenCooperisaGod · 26/04/2022 09:12

Listen to the last episode of the 28ish days later podcast. It is the amazing Lesley Regan calling foe the establishment of womens health centres throughout the land. So you can have your smear, your mammogram, your contraceptive needs, your menopausal needs, your gynae needs all addressed in one place at one time by suitably educated and informed clinicians.

The woman's health strategy should be announced soon. We need a mumsnet campaign to make this a reality. @JustineMumsnet are you up for it. I would happily give time to it.

Going to listen to that and yes to that campaign @justinemumsnet

OP posts:
Missproportionate · 26/04/2022 09:25

This reply has been withdrawn

Duplicate post

MoltenLasagne · 26/04/2022 09:30

BenCooperisaGod · 26/04/2022 09:12

Listen to the last episode of the 28ish days later podcast. It is the amazing Lesley Regan calling foe the establishment of womens health centres throughout the land. So you can have your smear, your mammogram, your contraceptive needs, your menopausal needs, your gynae needs all addressed in one place at one time by suitably educated and informed clinicians.

The woman's health strategy should be announced soon. We need a mumsnet campaign to make this a reality. @JustineMumsnet are you up for it. I would happily give time to it.

This is an incredible idea - I would definitely support this.

And yes OP, it is definitely misogyny that causes women to be advised to seek "alternative medicine", I cannot think of a single men's issue where that would be recommended.

borntobequiet · 26/04/2022 09:31

Well goodness knows if this will help:

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sajid-javid-hrt-health-secretary-government-secretary-b995964.html

I don’t think it’s much surprise that encouraging more women to ask for HRT wasn’t accompanied by a drive to actually increase production/availability. It’s as though the powers that be aren’t capable of thinking things through.

derob · 26/04/2022 09:33

Anyone know if there's a shortage of oestrogen for transwomen too?

weebarra · 26/04/2022 09:35

Very good question!

weebarra · 26/04/2022 09:36

Very good question!

Whatafool123 · 26/04/2022 09:52

After listening to the problems friends of mine are having with their menopauses (I had an early one years ago), I would also be happy to give time to such a campaign. Women's health is so neglected and poorly understood. We are left to just get on with things while often suffering from really debilitating problems. Because they won't kill us (generally) no one cares. Things really need to change.

Workplaces are now recognising the changes and problems that can occur during menopause, and the need for understanding of them, but if medical help was routinely available, a lot of those problems could be avoided in the first place.

BenCooperisaGod · 26/04/2022 09:55

I have put a post on AIBU, pop up there and lend your support!

borntobequiet · 26/04/2022 09:56

Well goodness knows if this will help:

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sajid-javid-hrt-health-secretary-government-secretary-b995964.html

I don’t think it’s much surprise that encouraging more women to ask for HRT wasn’t accompanied by a drive to actually increase production/availability. It’s as though the powers that be aren’t capable of thinking things through.

Original poster
Missproportionate · 26/04/2022 10:01

Sorry for multiple posts - new site causing fake error messages!

OP posts:
Rightsraptor · 26/04/2022 10:01

I am honestly not scapegoating tw here as I'm sure there are loads of facts at play in the issue of HRT shortages. Recently I heard that they need much higher/more frequent doses, than women probably because they are starting from a very different baseline.

borntobequiet · 26/04/2022 10:03

Sorry about the repeated posts. MN said their server was down…

Rhondapearlman · 26/04/2022 10:05

We’re totally second class citizens, unless you’re a woman with a penis.

IcakethereforeIam · 26/04/2022 10:39

Some of these posts bear repeating😁or....
I've heard that MN is an echo chamber but....

I'll get my coat

DahliaDreamer · 26/04/2022 11:40

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61227712

The RPS wants pharmacists in England to be able to alter GP prescriptions and make medicine swaps when appropriate

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 26/04/2022 12:04

BenCooperisaGod · 26/04/2022 09:12

Listen to the last episode of the 28ish days later podcast. It is the amazing Lesley Regan calling foe the establishment of womens health centres throughout the land. So you can have your smear, your mammogram, your contraceptive needs, your menopausal needs, your gynae needs all addressed in one place at one time by suitably educated and informed clinicians.

The woman's health strategy should be announced soon. We need a mumsnet campaign to make this a reality. @JustineMumsnet are you up for it. I would happily give time to it.

Funnily enough we were just discussing this last night and I said the very same thing at the event I was at - ie that women’s health provision across all ages is woefully inadequate From contraception to to pregnancy to post natal support to menopause. Would definitely be up for putting some pressure about this. Let me gather thoughts around the ask and how we can best agitate. Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming!

SpindleInTheWind · 26/04/2022 12:04

I am absolutely stuffed.

My ovaries were surgically removed and I need oestrogen. Is there any available to buy privately does anyone know? The last online place I used during the last shortage seems to be offline. I'm going to desperate in approx 2 weeks. I've got half a box of expired patches left.

GP doesn't give a fuck; pharmacies can't get any.

And yes damn right it's a feminist issue.

SpindleInTheWind · 26/04/2022 12:05

Yes please to that, @JustineMumsnet

Original poster
Missproportionate · 26/04/2022 12:12

double yes please @JustineMumsnet

I started my phone marathon this morning with the local pharmacy and they had one bottle of estrogel. I went down immediately to get it. I am now doubleplus angry because the GP prescription that I was told was for 3 months' supply is for one bottle (approx 26 days worth)

OP posts: