Are Estradot patches available in the UK?

NHSBSA currently lists active SSPs for Estradot 25, 50, 75 and 100 microgram patches. Ask your pharmacist which alternatives are authorised under the active SSP.

Is Utrogestan (progesterone) in shortage?

No active NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocol is currently listed for Utrogestan. Utrogestan 100mg was previously covered by SSP056, which expired in 2023.

Can I switch HRT brands during a shortage?

Only switch HRT products with pharmacist, GP or specialist advice. Active SSPs specify which alternatives pharmacists can supply without a new prescription.

Why has HRT been in shortage since 2022?

HRT shortages began following a sharp increase in prescriptions and wider supply constraints. Current active SSPs should always be checked against NHSBSA's active table.

Is Progynova TS being discontinued?

Progynova TS patches in 50mcg and 100mcg strengths have been listed for discontinuation. Ask your prescriber about suitable alternatives.

HRT Shortage UK 2026 — Estrogen Patches & Tablets

HRT shortages have been a persistent problem in the UK since 2022. Current NHSBSA active SSP data shows active protocols for Estradot patches; Utrogestan is not listed as having an active Serious Shortage Protocol.

Quick Status: All HRT Products

Estradot patches Oestrogel Utrogestan — no active SSP 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

No active SSPNHSBSA SSP

NHSBSA's active SSP table does not currently list Utrogestan. The historic Utrogestan SSP056 expired in 2023.

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

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