From MadeForMums · · 1m 30s
HRT Postcode Lottery
Women in some UK areas get three times more menopause treatment than others.
In brief
Women in some UK areas get three times more menopause treatment than others. Women in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly receive 72.3 HRT patients per 1,000 residents versus 21.3 in Northeast London, showing a postcode-based gap in menopause care access. Originally reported by MadeForMums.
HRT Postcode Lottery Revealed
New analysis shows women in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly receive 72.3 HRT patients per 1,000 residents versus 21.3 in Northeast London.
“The study, carried out by british sleep brand mossva ahead of world menopause day on 18 october, found more than a threefold difference in identified hrt patients between areas of england.”
Highest HRT Rates in England
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Gloucestershire, Sussex, Devon, and Dorset have the highest hrt prescribing rates at 70.9 to 72.3 per 1,000 residents.
“Cornwall & Isles of Scilly had the highest rate, with 72.3 hrt patients per 1,000 residents, compared with 21.3 per 1,000 in northeast london.”
Lowest HRT Rates in England
Northeast London has the lowest hrt prescribing rate at 21.3 per 1,000 residents, followed by Black Country at 28.4.
“Northeast london recorded the lowest rate at 21.3 per 1,000, followed by black country at 28.4, north west london at 29.9, north central london at 34.7 and birmingham & solihull at 34.8.”
Geographical Disparities
Gloucestershire has 70.9 hrt patients per 1,000 residents despite only 0.5 percentage point difference in women aged 40 to 75 compared to Lincolnshire.
“That's a difference of 28% in the prescribing rate despite only a 0.5 percentage point difference in the proportion of the population aged 40 to 75.”
HRT Access Inequalities
White women and those in affluent areas are more likely to receive hrt than non-white women and those in deprived areas, according to a 2025 university of birmingham study.
“The analysis follows a 2025 10-year study from the university of birmingham, which found that white women and women living in more affluent neighbourhoods in england were more likely to receive hrt than non-white women and those living in more deprived areas.”
HRT Cost Scheme
A new scheme allows women to receive a year's hrt treatment for less than £20, but geographical disparities in prescribing rates remain.
“Access improved in 2023/2: after the introduction of a new scheme allowing women to receive a year's worth of hrt treatment for less than £20. However, the new analysis suggests geographical differences in prescribing rates remain.”
Menopause Symptoms Impact
41% of uk people experience night sweats, with searches for 'best bedding for night sweats' up 160% year on year.
“Mossva estimates that 41% of people in the uk experience night sweats.”
The bottom line
Women in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly receive 72.3 HRT patients per 1,000 residents versus 21.3 in Northeast London, showing a postcode-based gap in menopause care access.
