HRT shortages

Taliya this may be helpful:

thebms.org.uk/2020/06/british-menopause-society-further-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages-20th-june-2020/

Thanks for this link.

There are numerous preparations still available so why not ask your consultant to recommend one.
If you are simply relying on your GP ask to be referred to a local menopause clinic.
You are most certainly not being unreasonable. You have a right to the best quality of life possible.

Are they still using mares’ urine to make HRT. Pregnant mares?

Pregnant mares who are kept stabled, tied up and with a drain inside them to collect their urine?

Please someone tell me this isn’t still the case.

What happens to the foals?

Furret. I see this trotted out regularly by the anti HRT brigade.
I do believe Premarin may still be available but don’t know a single person on it. I’ve been on plant based oestrogen for over 30 years and wouldn’t dream of using anything unethical.

I’m not asking if it’s ‘trotted out regularly by the anti HRT brigade’.

I’m asking if it still goes on?

It may do but as I said I don’t know anyone who uses it.
Most women who choose to do their research take an ethical approach.
As far as I know conjugated equine oestrogen was supplied as pills. Pills are not recommended these days because they need to be high dosage to survive the first pass through the liver.
Usually HRT is in the form of patches, gels, sprays and implants.

@Furrett No they do not do that anymore and do not use mare's urine anymore.Some women sail through Menopause but many dont. I suffered for 2 years from the age of 43 with the most horrendous debilitating symptoms (8) and HRT gave me my life back.

@Furrett...some women find the synthetic manufactured from of Projesterone they use in modern HRT hard to tolerate though. I'm sure if Men had to physically go through Menopause..which can last up to 10 years then there would be more research into treatments. For many women the Menopause isn't just a few hot flushes it's far far worse.

Furret they most certainly do still produce Premarin (and others) and it certainly does still go on. The foals either go on to become part of the production line themselves or, if male, for slaughter. I would hope that anyone taking HRT would check the ethics of the particular brand they’re on.

Thank you for that Nightowl. It seems to me that some people choose not to think about the very real suffering that animals go through.

Taliya. Your thread seems to have been hijacked by an anti HRT zealot. These people are so behind the times.

To get back to your post.
You are right in decrying the attitude of so many so called professionals to quality of life issues connected to the menopause.
Having found a product which suits you it must be infuriating to not be able to source supplies.
The British Menopause Society has produced a further update on HRT supply issues 20th June 2020. Google this (sorry I don’t know how to do a click link) and let us know how you get on. Good luck.

I have looked it up for you and your preferred medication is “Expected to return fourth quarter 2020”
You could register with Mylan as a medical professional (I’ve done that kind of thing in the past) to get a more detailed explanation and updates.

Taliya - I hope you get things resolved. HRT, like all medications has people who oppose its use. I took it on the recommendation of a good GP. He said I was high risk for osteoporosis because of inflammatory arthritis. Six years later, my new GP said I should stop immediately because of the risk of heart attack/breast cancer. She said I should never have been prescribed HRT.
25 years on I've had bone density scans twice. Each time, the clinicians have told me that taking HRT has helped prevent bone density problems.
So, it isn't only good for the well known menopause symptoms

Following on from Iam64 and the risk of heart attack/breast cancer, I'd urge anyone to Google the link, do your reading, talk to the Specialists, and then decide.

@Esspee Thanks for the information regarding when Elleste Duet 2mg will be available again (4 quarter of 2020) I'm lucky my GP said I could be on HRT for as long as I like and just made me aware of the small risks but also the benefits of taking it.

I don’t need HRT, but I have a similar problem with different painkillers I have been given.
I think you have a right to a medication which gives you back quality of life without bad side effects.
Quite possibly the pharmacy simply didn’t know-no excuse for making you feel bad though. I hope you get something that works for you

I wish I could still have HRT but I’m too old at 70!

TALIYA... I also had been on elleste duet 2mg for 8 years and felt great and I’ve had the same problems with them being unavailable and Docter’s just prescribing an ‘ alternative ‘ ! That made me ill . So I did research of exactly what type of hormones were in elleste and found evorel sequi patches are pretty much identical and checked they were available.So I TOLD the Docter this is what I want . And they work a treat . Try them and I’m sure you will be back to feeling great . Patches more healthy too . Good luck xx

jayt - I started on low dose HRT age 46. Tried to come off it twice but all the horrible symptoms returned. Now 73 I am still on it and intend to stay on it. A practice nurse once told me if the doctor tries to stop it, insist on signing a disclaimer. Have you asked your doctor, or asked to be referred to a menopause clinic? I'm made aware of the risks every time I renew my prescription, but it's my quality of life now that is most important to me.

Furret You could say the same about Cows and their milk which is designed for calves. Instead the Cows are made pregnant each year and their babies taken away so we can drink the milk. Male calves are slaughtered as they’re not cost effective. What’s the difference between them and Mares.

Taliya you must pursue this, I know just what you are going through. I used to have ridiculous monthly problems when I lived in Glasgow - eventually I was given an appointment at the Woman's Hospital, where a man looked down his long nose and said "there is nothing wrong with you!" Despite severe bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks!! I had to wait until a few years later we moved to Aberdeen and I saw a female consultant who showed so much sympathy I burst into tears. I had a hysterectomy then was put on HRT and I had to learn to be human again!!

I wish the anti-HRT brigade wouldn't start posting their views when someone who is on HRT is having problems. We have done our research, been warned of the possible side effects and made our decisions which have nothing to do with anybody else. We won't denigrate your decisions to avoid the treatment, please reciprocate with out decision. If somebody is posting about whether to try HRT, then comments from both sides of the argument might be helpful.
I feel your pain Taliya. I have had problems getting Elleste Solo and it is very difficult to get a replacement as some of the other brands give me terrible migraines. There should be no difference according to the pharmacy but there certainly is in my case. I have resorted to patches but they aren't nearly as good but don't cause side effects. I ring round pharmacies before I put in my prescription to see where I can find what I want but it is a pain.

Sorry but I fear that Brexit will cause shortages of a range of medicines. I wonder if HRT was not pushed higher up the essentials list because men don’t take it? Ps I did take HRT for many years and found it to be a life saver.