England NHS HRT prescriptions double to record 2 million women

A new NHS Business Services Authority report shows that 2 million women aged 40 and over in England were prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the NHS in 2025/26, more than double the 0.8 million in 2020/21. Prescribing rates vary widely by location: Brighton and Hove had the highest rate at 23 per 100 women, while Newham recorded the lowest at four per 100. Women in the most deprived areas were less likely to receive HRT (8.8 % of women aged 40+) compared with those in the least deprived areas (14.2 %). Transdermal products (patches, gels, sprays) remain the most commonly prescribed form of oestrogen HRT, while oral tablets have declined. NHS officials attribute the rise to growing demand for menopause care and greater awareness of treatment options, though the surge in specific product prescriptions has raised concerns about short‑term supply pressures.