Despite government U-turn, menopausal women still struggle to find HRT implants

The government has made a U-turn on preventing menopausal women from using “life-changing” drugs, but patients still struggle to access treatment.

Menopausal women are experiencing suicidal thoughts and debilitating physical symptoms as the government halts distribution of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) implants used to relieve menopausal symptoms. independent Already learned.

An estimated 13 million women in the UK are going through menopause, with a large proportion experiencing debilitating symptoms including heart palpitations, hot flashes, headaches, vaginal pain, anxiety and depression.

Some menopausal women find that other forms of hormone replacement therapy do not relieve their symptoms. The implant provides more consistent drug delivery.

Diane Danzebrink, director of the Menopause Support Group, tells us independent In the last month, she has been flooded with messages from “desperate” women struggling to get commonly used hormone replacement therapy implants.

“This is an essential treatment that saves lives. Life without it is unimaginable,” said Ms Danzebrink, whose organization supports tens of thousands of women going through menopause.

Ms Danzebrink warned that the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency had handled the situation “poorly”, leaving patients in the dark and “running around trying to find some information”.

Julian Beach of the government agency said independent They have “suspended imports of Estra 25mg and 50mg granules into the UK” after receiving “a number of compliance issues”.

The representative added: “A review of available information to date has found no evidence of harm caused by these implants, which have been used in the UK for more than 10 years.”

“We recognize that these unlicensed medicines are critical to specific patient groups and as there are currently no suitable alternatives, these medicines will continue to be imported into the UK market while we complete our regulatory review. Once the review is completed, we will Communicate our findings.”

Ms. Danzebrink said they mostly heard about young women going through surgical menopause struggling to get implants. These are often women who have had their ovaries removed because they experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or severe endometriosis, she added.

Lack of access to HRT implants can lead to increased anxiety, mood changes, loss of confidence, heart palpitations, hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain and memory loss, she said.

Menstrual health campaigner Victoria Hardy says independent She was “shocked” when her appointment to replace her implants was rescheduled from this month to mid-May.

The 40-year-old said: “It’s the only HRT that’s worked for me. I’ve been through surgical menopause since I was 33. HRT is not an option for me. If I didn’t have it I would absolutely be on the floor on. It’s like someone relying on antidepressants because they have a severe mental illness.”

Ms Hardy added that she was already struggling mentally as her current implant came to an end and said she was experiencing brain fog and memory problems.

Ms Hardy said: “If I had waited until May I would be in a really low mood, like I had completely lost my lust for life and I was anxious. It was affecting my family.

“My ability to function normally was gone and my brain became confused. I suffered from extreme fatigue as the implants wore out.

“Physically I would start to ache, my joints would get really sore. Soon, the insomnia would set in. I would have the most horrible hot flashes and night sweats that would go on and on. I’d rather go with the allegory – my eyes were going It was dry, itchy, swollen and my face was swollen.”

Kathy Mackin, who lives outside Edinburgh, said she recently spent nearly £3,000 on flights and hotels to travel to London to have an HRT implant fitted – adding that her doctor told her she would have it from the next day These implants are no longer available.

“I had a complete panic attack,” the 41-year-old said. “I cried. This was my complete lifeline.”

Ms McGinn added that although they had lifted restrictions on implants, there was uncertainty about how quickly supplies would arrive, and that some women she knew should have had access to them a long time ago.

She said: “Without the implant, I would have suicidal thoughts, chronic depression and anxiety. I wouldn’t leave the house and I have cognitive impairment. You go from having a life to losing it.

“The government is doing this quite covertly. They don’t have conversations with consultants. The consultants are clueless so can’t tell any patients anything. The way this has been handled is appalling.”

A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has been contacted for comment.

If you are in pain, or struggling to cope, you can speak to a Samaritan privately on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org or visit Samaritan Website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you live in the United States and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline open to everyone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you’re in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org Find a helpline near you.