Since 2020, Australia has had an ongoing shortage of oestrogen patches, which are usually prescribed to help ease menopause symptoms.

In March, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed shortages of several brands and doses of patches will last until at least the end of this year. But this estimate has already been pushed back many times.

So, what can you do when the pharmacy has run out of the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patches you rely on?

You don’t need to ration your supply (and this doesn’t work anyway). Here are your other options.

What are HRT patches for?

HRT patches are small sticky squares worn on the skin, usually on the lower belly, back or buttock. This is sometimes also called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).

HRT patches slowly release oestrogen (and sometimes a second hormone called progestogen) through the skin and into the bloodstream. Most brands need to be replaced every 3–4 days (twice a week).

Patches are prescribed to two groups of people. The vast majority are women going through perimenopause and menopause, when the ovaries make less oestrogen. Menopause typically happens around 50 years of age, but low oestrogen can occur earlier due to certain conditions, as well as surgery or cancer treatments.

The drop in oestrogen is what causes hot flushes, night sweats, broken sleep, brain fog, mood changes, joint aches and........

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