WOMEN across Hampshire who are experiencing symptoms of menopause say they have been left to "suffer in silence" after an imbalance in spending on drugs across England w as revealed.

Concerns have been growing over a lack of Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) after reports of shortages of transdermal treatments, including popular gels. 

In July this year, parliamentary under-secretary of state for Health and Social Care, Maria Caufield told a Westminster Hall debate there had been a 30 per cent increase in demand for HRT products but said only a few products were now affected by shortages.

Across Hampshire, Southampton and the Isle of Wight CCG, analysis of NHS prescription data shows that £2,061,596 has been spent on HRT for women aged 45-60. This data reveals that £11.44 had been spent per woman within the area. 

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Some local health areas spend three times the amount per woman on Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) than others. Experts said the treatment options offered by some local health boards were "very limited".

Caroline Nokes MP said: "It is one of the reasons my Select Committee has called for a national formulary for HRT.  There are wide discrepancies in the types of HRT available for women across the country and the best body identical HRT is only prescribed in some areas. We also need to do more to train and educate GPs and dispel some of the myths around HRT.  

Hampshire Chronicle:

"The increase in demand is evidence of more women understanding the benefits and asking for prescriptions, but there is a big knowledge gap still."

More recently, retailer Holland & Barrett was praised for its focus on menopause.

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The health shop chain also opened 18 Menopause Pause & Listen Rooms in UK stores from Monday, October 3.

These dedicated rooms are available for walk-ins, offering a calming space to speak with a trained menopause adviser.

Ms Nokes, who has been championing changes to how employers deal with people going through the menopause, has been to her local store in The Hundred to sign the pledge.

She said: “It’s a great idea and all part of breaking down the stigma that still surrounds the menopause.

"So many more employers are really embracing how they can better support their workforce and introducing great initiatives like this.

“But there is still a long way to go. Too many women are suffering unpleasant and debilitating symptoms alone and unsupported and I want to see every single one of them able to talk about it if they want to and able to get the help they need.”

The Advertiser has approached the CCG for a comment.