Are Estradot patches available in the UK?

Estradot patches have been in and out of shortage since 2021. Currently, 25mcg and 50mcg patches are out of stock, while 75mcg and 100mcg have limited supplies. Alternative brands Evorel and Estraderm MX patches are available across all strengths.

Is Oestrogel still in shortage?

Oestrogel Pump-Pack 0.06% gel has active Serious Shortage Protocols in place. Your pharmacist can supply an alternative estradiol gel or patch without a new prescription.

Is Utrogestan (progesterone) in shortage?

Utrogestan 100mg capsules have an active Serious Shortage Protocol. Pharmacists can supply alternatives. If you take Utrogestan as part of combined HRT, speak to your GP about alternative progesterone products.

Can I switch HRT brands during a shortage?

Yes, in most cases. Under Serious Shortage Protocols, pharmacists can supply an equivalent alternative without contacting your GP. For estradiol patches, Evorel and Estraderm MX are bioequivalent alternatives to Estradot.

Why has HRT been in shortage since 2022?

HRT shortages began following a dramatic surge in prescriptions driven by increased awareness of menopause symptoms, media coverage, and NHS policy changes. HRT prescriptions roughly doubled between 2017 and 2023. Manufacturers could not scale production fast enough.

Is Progynova TS being discontinued?

Yes. Progynova TS patches in 50mcg and 100mcg strengths are being permanently discontinued from late December 2025 and February 2026 respectively. FemSeven once-weekly patches and Evorel/Estraderm MX twice-weekly patches remain available.

HRT Shortage UK 2026

HRT shortages have been a persistent problem in the UK since 2022, and they continue into 2026. Estradot patches, Oestrogel, Utrogestan, Sandrena gel and Ovestin cream all have active Serious Shortage Protocols. Meanwhile, Progynova TS patches are being discontinued entirely. The good news: alternative brands exist for almost every product, and pharmacists can supply them without a new prescription under SSP arrangements.

Quick Status: All HRT Products

Estradot patches Oestrogel Utrogestan Ovestin cream Premique Sandrena gel Progynova TS Estradiol patches

Current Shortages by Product Type

🩹 Patches (Transdermal)

Estradot Patches

Estradot 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg & 100mcg patches

Serious ShortageNHSBSA SSP

Multiple SSPs active across all Estradot strengths. 25mcg and 50mcg out of stock. Limited supplies of 75mcg and 100mcg.

Key facts (March 2026): The UK currently has 152 active medicine shortage notifications from official DHSC and NHS England data. Of these, 67 are DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications and 85 are NHS Serious Shortage Protocols. MediWatch tracks all of them in real time. See our data sources.

Available alternatives: Evorel patches (all strengths, full uplift), Estraderm MX patches (all strengths), FemSeven once-weekly patches.

Estradot has been in recurring shortage since 2021. The key thing to know: Evorel and Estraderm MX patches contain the same active ingredient (estradiol) in the same doses. They are clinically equivalent. Most patients switch without issues.

Progynova TS — Being Discontinued

Progynova TS 50mcg & 100mcg patches — DISCONTINUED

DiscontinuedDHSC MSN

Permanently discontinued from late December 2025 (50mcg) and February 2026 (100mcg). This is not a temporary shortage.

Switch to: FemSeven patches (once-weekly, like Progynova TS) or Evorel/Estraderm MX patches (twice-weekly).

💧 Gels & Sprays

Oestrogel

Oestrogel Pump-Pack 0.06% gel

Serious ShortageNHSBSA SSP

SSPs active for Oestrogel Pump-Pack. Pharmacists can supply alternatives.

Sandrena Gel

Sandrena 0.5mg & 1mg gel sachets

Serious ShortageNHSBSA SSP

SSPs active covering both substitution and quantity restrictions.

💊 Tablets & Capsules

Utrogestan (Progesterone)

Utrogestan 100mg capsules

Serious ShortageNHSBSA SSP

SSP active for Utrogestan 100mg capsules. Pharmacists can supply alternatives.

Alternatives: Other micronised progesterone products, Cyclogest pessaries, or the Mirena coil.

If you take Utrogestan as part of combined HRT, do not simply stop the progesterone part — this increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia. Speak to your GP urgently about alternatives.

Ovestin Cream

Ovestin 1mg cream (estriol 0.1%)

Serious ShortageNHSBSA SSP

Multiple SSPs active. Ovestin is a topical estriol cream used for vaginal dryness and urogenital symptoms.

Alternatives: Vagifem (estradiol vaginal tablets), Estring vaginal ring, or generic estriol cream.

What's Actually Available Right Now

Products with good availability:

Evorel patches (25, 50, 75, 100mcg) — widely available
Estraderm MX patches — available across all strengths
FemSeven patches — once-weekly, available
Elleste Solo/Duet tablets — generally available
Femoston tablets — generally available

Understanding HRT Types

Transdermal patches (Estradot, Evorel, FemSeven) — deliver estradiol through the skin. Lower VTE risk than tablets.
Topical gels (Oestrogel, Sandrena) — applied daily to the skin. Same safety profile as patches.
Oral tablets (Elleste, Femoston, Premique) — taken daily. Convenient but slightly higher VTE risk.
Vaginal preparations (Ovestin cream, Vagifem) — for local urogenital symptoms only. Not systemic HRT.
Progesterone (Utrogestan) — needed alongside oestrogen if you have a uterus. Can also be provided by Mirena coil.

What to Do If Your HRT Is Affected

Don't stop HRT abruptly — this can trigger a return of menopausal symptoms.
Ask your pharmacist about SSP alternatives — they can switch you to an equivalent product on the spot.
Try different pharmacies. Independent pharmacies sometimes have stock when chains don't.
Consider a different delivery method. If patches are unavailable, gels or tablets may work.
Don't stockpile — order your normal monthly supply.

Related Condition Pages

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Data sources: DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications · NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols · British Menopause Society
Last checked: 4 March 2026.

HRT Shortage UK 2026

Quick Status: All HRT Products

Current Shortages by Product Type

Estradot Patches

Estradot 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg & 100mcg patches

Progynova TS — Being Discontinued

Progynova TS 50mcg & 100mcg patches — DISCONTINUED

Oestrogel

Oestrogel Pump-Pack 0.06% gel

Sandrena Gel

Sandrena 0.5mg & 1mg gel sachets

Utrogestan (Progesterone)

Utrogestan 100mg capsules

Ovestin Cream

Ovestin 1mg cream (estriol 0.1%)

What's Actually Available Right Now

Understanding HRT Types

What to Do If Your HRT Is Affected

Further Reading

Related Condition Pages

Contraception Shortage

Mental Health Medication

Blood Pressure Medication

Track your HRT medications