HALF a million women have signed up for discount HRT prescriptions in a win for The Sun’s push for the government to subsidise menopause meds.
The prescription prepayment certificate launched last year to give women a year’s supply for £19.30 instead of paying the £9.65 prescription charge every time.
AlamyMore than two million women in England take HRT[/caption]
It has saved patients £11million on hormone replacement therapy since April with more than 500,000 sign-ups, health ministers said.
More than two million women in England use the medication to control menopause symptoms like depression, hot flushes and insomnia.
The change usually starts in a woman’s 40s or 50s when periods stop, and can cause mental health issues, muscle and joint pains, problems having sex and weight gain.
A win for campaigners
The Sun’s Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign has for years called for better access and lower prices for HRT.
HRT prescriptions have rocketed after campaigns by celebs including Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrup, as well as female MPs.
They were up by nearly 50 per cent in a year last year, with 11million dispensed to 2.3m patients.
This is a huge milestone
Victoria Atkins
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “This is a huge milestone and shows how successful our Women’s Health Strategy is in delivering the outcomes women want and deserve.”
Women’s health ambassador, Professor Dame Lesley Regan, added: “The PPC is a fantastic way of giving more women access to treatment.
“500,000 women accessing affordable HRT is a clear, tangible result for the women’s health strategy.”
The hormone drug, which re-balances oestrogen and testosterone levels, hit headlines after serious manufacturer shortages and a rise in demand following Davina’s documentary ‘Sex, Myths and the Menopause’.
Health chiefs last year also recommended free NHS counselling for women who need help coping with menopause symptoms.
What is the menopause and what age does it usually start?
Menopause is a natural part of ageing, which usually happens when a woman is between the age of 45 and 55.
In the UK, the average age for a woman to go through menopause is 51.
It occurs when oestrogen levels in the body start to decline.
During this time periods become less frequent or they can suddenly stop, and after menopause occurs women will be unable to become pregnant naturally.
Around one in 100 women experience menopause before the age of 40, and this is known as premature ovarian insufficiency or premature menopause.
Many celebrities have spoken out about their own experiences, including Lisa Snowdon, Davina McCall, Michelle Heaton and Zoe Hardman.
What are the symptoms?
Menopausal symptoms can start months or years before your periods stop, and can last until four years or longer after your last period.
Symptoms include:
Hot flushes
Changing or irregular periods
Difficulty in sleeping
Anxiety and loss of confidence
Low mood, irritability and depression
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex
Reduced libido (sex drive)
Problems with concentration or memory
Weight gain
Bladder control