Find out about talking to your GP about HRT and what to do if you can’t get your usual HRT.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medicine used to treat perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
If you have menopause symptoms that are bothering you or impacting your day-to-day life, you can talk to your GP about which treatment options are available to you like HRT.
It’s good to be prepared before you talk to your GP about HRT. If your periods have changed, keep a note of the changes so you can tell your GP.
A symptom tracker can be useful for tracking your symptoms. Also, tell your GP about any medicines or herbal remedies you’re taking.
Questions to ask your GP could include:
If you’re prescribed HRT, you can also ask your doctor about how you will take it or apply it.
Your GP should tell you what to expect when you start taking HRT. They should talk to you about the benefits and risks of HRT. They should talk to you about both the short-term (5 years) and the longer-term (beyond the next 5 years) benefits and risks for you.
Find out more about the benefits and risks of HRT
You can get an HRT prescription prepayment certificate (HRT PPC) from the NHS if you’ve been prescribed an eligible hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicine.
The HRT PPC costs £19.80 for 12 months. It covers all your eligible HRT prescriptions for those 12 months. You’ll save money if you buy more than 2 prescription items in 12 months.
If you have other prescriptions that aren’t for eligible HRT medicines, you may save more with a 3 or 12 month standard PPC. Find out more about the HRT PPC and how to buy an HRT PPC online.
HRT supply shortages have caused difficulties for some women who need HRT. If you are taking HRT, speak to your pharmacist in good time before your prescription runs out to check if your brand is in stock.
If you find that you can’t get your usual HRT treatment, it’s important that you keep taking HRT. If you stop taking HRT, your menopause symptoms may return.
Speak to a pharmacist or GP about trying another type or brand of HRT that may be suitable for you.
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Find out how lifestyle changes may help you look after your wellbeing during the menopause.