Health & Medicine18 Oct 2026 · about 6 min

UK HRT shortages: which products are affected and what to do about it

The brief

The current shortages affect FemSeven Conti patches and various Estradot patches. FemSeven Conti contains estradiol and levonorgestrel. Estradot contains estradiol, a form of oestrogen. These shortages matter because many women rely on familiar HRT products to control menopause symptoms. The Department of Health and Social Care expects FemSeven Conti to remain out of stock until late November. Shortages of various Estradot patches are not expected to end until January. Estradot supply problems began for some products in December 2024, according to NHSBSA. Alternatives may be available, but they are not always simple substitutions. Pharmacists and clinicians can identify products delivering the same oestrogen dose through the skin. Women affected should speak with a clinician rather than changing treatment themselves. Experts warn that supply problems may continue as HRT use rises by more than 10% each year.

Which HRT products are currently in short supply, and how long are the shortages expected to last?

The Department of Health and Social Care expects FemSeven Conti to remain out of stock until late November. Shortages of various Estradot patches are not expected to end until January. Estradot supply problems began for some products in December 2024, according to NHSBSA.

Alternatives may be available, but they are not always simple substitutions. Pharmacists and clinicians can identify products delivering the same oestrogen dose through the skin. Women affected should speak with a clinician rather than changing treatment themselves. Experts warn that supply problems may continue as HRT use rises by more than 10% each year.

How many women in England aged 40 and above were prescribed HRT for menopause symptoms in 2025–26?

Almost 2 million women in England aged 40 and above were prescribed HRT for menopause symptoms during 2025–26. This figure comes from the NHS Business Services Authority. It shows how widely HRT is used and why interruptions to supply can affect a large number of patients.

HRT comes in several forms, including gels, sprays, patches, pills, creams and intrauterine systems. Treatment commonly combines oestrogen with progestogen, although women who have had a hysterectomy require only oestrogen-containing HRT. Different products may therefore serve different treatment needs.

The large and growing user base also creates pressure on supply. Paula Briggs said HRT use is increasing by more than 10% year on year. Sehar Shahid called for a government taskforce covering the whole supply chain. Without stronger planning, future shortages could continue to disrupt established treatment routines.

What is hormone replacement therapy, and which hormones does it replace?

Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is treatment used to help women manage menopause symptoms. It replaces hormone levels lost as women go through menopause. HRT matters because it can support symptom management, but the treatment must match a person’s needs and medical situation.

HRT typically involves two hormones: oestrogen and progestogen. They can be prescribed separately or together in one product. Treatment is available as gels, sprays, patches, pills, creams and intrauterine systems, giving clinicians several ways to deliver it.

The main exception concerns women who have had a hysterectomy. The article states that they require only oestrogen-containing HRT. For others, progestogen is included to protect the lining of the womb. Because products differ in hormones, doses and delivery methods, anyone facing a shortage should ask a clinician about a suitable alternative.

Why can some HRT patches be substituted for others when they deliver the same dose of oestrogen through the skin?

Some HRT patches can be substituted because the crucial feature is maintaining the same oestrogen dose and a similar delivery method. This can help preserve symptom control when a familiar brand is unavailable. Paula Briggs said there is generally no need to worry when the same dose is delivered through the skin in a similar patch.

For example, alternatives to some Estradot products include estradiol-containing patches made by Estraderm MX and Evorel. Alternatives to FemSeven Conti include Evorel Conti, Estradot Conti 30/95 and Estradot Conti 40/130. These products may use different progestogens.

That difference does not necessarily affect symptom control, according to Briggs. Progestogens are required to protect the womb lining, while oestrogen is the key hormone for managing symptoms in this explanation. A clinician or pharmacist should choose the replacement, because products can differ in dose, hormones and application schedules.

What should someone do if their usual HRT product is unavailable, and why should they not use a patch in an unprescribed way?

Anyone whose usual HRT is unavailable should speak with a clinician. The clinician can check the prescribed dose, delivery method and hormone combination, then identify an appropriate alternative. This matters because some HRT products are specialised and cannot always be substituted easily.

Pharmacist Sobia Qasim specifically cautioned against leaving a patch on longer than prescribed, cutting patches up or borrowing HRT from another person. A patch is designed to deliver its medicine according to its instructions. Changing how it is used could alter treatment or make the dose unsuitable.

Sehar Shahid also advised people who experience disruption to their usual HRT regime to contact their clinician. Supply problems may last weeks or months, so professional advice is safer than attempting to stretch supplies. Clinicians and pharmacists can use listed alternatives while keeping the oestrogen dose and delivery method as consistent as possible.

Why have HRT shortages happened repeatedly, and how might rising demand make future shortages more likely?

HRT shortages have happened repeatedly, and some Estradot shortages began in December 2024. The article links the problem to access and supply difficulties affecting specialised products. These products cannot always be quickly replaced with an equivalent, so a shortage can disrupt treatment even when another HRT is available.

Demand is an important pressure. Almost 2 million women aged 40 and above in England were prescribed HRT for menopause symptoms in 2025–26. Paula Briggs said use is increasing by more than 10% year on year. More patients therefore need reliable supplies of patches, gels, pills and other forms.

Briggs said shortages were likely to occur in the future. Sehar Shahid urged the new secretary of state to convene a taskforce involving every part of the supply chain. Better coordination could help officials understand vulnerabilities and respond before shortages become prolonged.

What are the different roles of oestrogen and progestogen in HRT, especially for protecting the lining of the womb?

Oestrogen and progestogen have different jobs in HRT. HRT replaces hormone levels lost during menopause, and oestrogen is the hormone linked in the article with managing symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep problems. Progestogen is added for a different protective purpose.

The article explains that progestogens protect the lining of the womb rather than manage symptoms. FemSeven Conti, for example, contains estradiol, a type of oestrogen, and levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestogen. Other patches may contain the same oestrogen dose but a different progestogen, such as norethisterone.

This distinction helps explain why some patches can be substituted. Keeping the oestrogen dose and skin delivery similar is considered important for symptom control. The progestogen can differ, but a clinician should select the alternative. Women who have had a hysterectomy require only oestrogen-containing HRT, according to the article.

This brief was written by AI from the original reporting and checked by other models. Names, figures and quotes come from the source; read it for full context.