Are you getting the right HRT help?
Summary
Pharmacist Tom McKenna joins Claire Byrne to discuss the challenges of accessing HRT in Ireland, including supply chain disruptions and reduced allocations for patches. They explore the importance of finding the right delivery method, noting that treatment is often an iterative process requiring time to stabilize hormone levels. The conversation highlights how social media has empowered women but also created unrealistic expectations, while emphasizing that non-hormonal alternatives exist for those who cannot take HRT. McKenna advises patients to communicate early with pharmacists to manage…
Topics discussed
Introduction: HRT access issues and guest pharmacist
Role of social media in menopause awareness
Supply chain disruptions and product shortages
Ireland's position in the global supply chain
Personal impact of HRT shortages on daily life
Different forms of HRT and individual variation
Comparing patches, gels, and other delivery methods
Common errors in applying HRT patches
Unrealistic expectations from social media
Reluctance to prescribe HRT to younger women
Holistic approach to diagnosing symptoms
Non-hormonal alternatives for menopause symptoms
Advice on managing HRT stock and timing
The iterative process of finding the right dose
Future outlook on supply and closing remarks
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