Amid HRT Shortages In The UK, What Alternatives Are There - Safemedicate

by Liz Seyi Digital marketing manager

There has been much focus in the UK news media lately on low supplies of an in-demand form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This medication helps address symptoms of the menopause – such as hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings – by replacing hormones, such as oestrogen, that are at a lower level in those approaching the menopause.

Not all menopausal women are able to take HRT or wish to do so. However, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), it is believed that as of 2019, approximately one million women in the UK used the treatment.

But with many concerns in the UK at the moment centring on an apparent shortage of Oestrogel – which is a specific type of HRT – what can be done for those who are struggling to obtain this product?

What is Oestrogel, and why is it proving so difficult to come by lately?

Oestrogel is an HRT that comes in the form of a gel, and is applied to the skin once a day. Family GP and women’s health specialist Dr Nighat Arif has attributed the high level of demand for Oestrogel to the ease with which it can be taken.

Dr Arif explained, as quoted by Metro: “There are now safer, more easier ways to give HRT. [Oestrogel] is transdermal (given through the skin), which makes it easier to apply, and is a body identical HRT. The demand for this has grown because the risk profile is much, much less.”

The need to appropriately calculate dosage for medication such as HRT has also seemingly played a role in Oestrogel’s popularity. Dr Arif said that the ability Oestrogel gave women to slightly adjust the dose was a key reason for their fondness for it, adding: “With patches, you have a set dose and that’s it. You have to go back to the doctor to get it adjusted.”

So, what are the options for women who are struggling to obtain Oestrogel?

In order to determine the most suitable alternative to Oestrogel, it is important to carefully consider the circumstances and needs of the patient.

The various other HRT options could include other types of gel, such as Sandrena, or Lenzetto spray. A range of patches is also available.

However, in deciding between these options, it is crucial to ensure the appropriate dose to dose ratio is achieved – figuring out, for instance, the amount of gel dosage that would be required if the patient is switching from a patch.

Then, there is the possibility that some women may wish to consider, of moving away from HRT altogether. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists said that this decision may be made due to “concerns about the safety and side effects of HRT”, or simply as a matter of personal preference.

Dr Arif said about the notion of managing menopausal symptoms without HRT: “We already know that there are a range of medical conditions which can be managed holistically. Blood pressure, for example, some patients choose not to take medication and go away and make lifestyle changes. HRT is exactly the same.”

With HRT alternatives able to be divided into the four broad categories of herbal medicine, alternative medicine, complementary therapy, and non-hormonal medical treatments, it is vital that women think carefully about the possibilities that might best match their preferences and needs.

To find out more about the role that safeMedicate can play in supporting your own efforts to safely calculate dosage for medication, please do not hesitate to contact us today.