GPs in wealthy areas write almost twice as many HRT prescriptions as those in poorer regions, a new report claims, exposing the postcode lottery for menopause treatments.
The researchers found that doctors in wealthy districts also spent twice as much on medications, appointments and complementary therapies for women between 45 and 60 years old.
As a stark example of the divide, last year 1,636 items of HRT were prescribed per 1,000 women in affluent Winchester, compared to just 346 items per 1,000 women in deprived Sparkhill, Birmingham. The NHS spent £26,253 per 1,000 women in Winchester, but only £5,030 per 1,000 women in Sparkhill.
In the wealthy Somerset West area, 1,676 HRT items are prescribed and £26,221 spent per 1,000 women aged 45 to 60, compared to 275 items and £4,144 per 1,000 women in the deprived areas of Barking and Dagenham , east of London.
Researchers found that doctors in wealthy districts also spend twice as much on medications (file image)
More than 80 percent of women will experience debilitating symptoms of menopause for more than a year (file image)
According to the study, ethnic minority women were less likely to receive adequate treatment, although this may be due to cultural factors.
The report, commissioned by women’s health company Theramex, recommends greater training for GPs on menopause, as well as community involvement to raise awareness of treatments and better access to prescriptions for women.
Some doctors interviewed by researchers said that offering evening, weekend and online appointments had broken down many barriers women encountered when trying to access treatment.
Janet Lindsay, from health charity Wellbeing Of Women, said: “As this report highlights, there are stark inequalities between women accessing HRT during the menopause.
‘Existing sources of information and care are generally not designed to meet the particular needs of women from ethnic minority, poorer or disabled communities, and urgent action is needed to help them get the support they need.
“More needs to be done to ensure that all women have equal access to menopause care and treatment, regardless of where they live.” She said Wellbeing Of Women is promoting grassroots groups that work with women from marginalized communities to improve their health outcomes.
In the wealthy Somerset West area, 1,676 HRT items are prescribed and £26,221 spent per 1,000 women aged 45 to 60, compared to 275 items and £4,144 per 1,000 women in the deprived areas of Barking and Dagenham (archive image)
Tina Backhouse of Theramex, which commissioned the study, said: “It’s not right that women face a cruel lottery for essential care.” Despite positive measures, including the publication of the Women’s Health Strategy for England, progress has been too slow.
“Every day that passes, and every woman who is forced to do without basic care, has an economic and public health impact that policymakers must address.”
More than 80 percent of women will experience debilitating menopause symptoms for more than a year, according to the report, and many will continue to have symptoms seven years after their last period.
These symptoms can significantly reduce a woman’s quality of life and lead to an overall loss of productivity.
There is a lack of education about these symptoms among the public and health professionals. A 2021 freedom of information request, to which 32 medical schools responded, found that 41 per cent of UK universities do not have mandatory menopause education in the curriculum.