The latest NHS Business Services Authority data shows that 2 million women aged over 40 in England received NHS HRT in 2026/26.
That compares with just 800,000 in 2020/21, meaning the number has increased by 150% in 5 years.
This is a huge change.
And it’s not simply because more prescriptions are being issued per woman. The actual number of women receiving treatment has risen substantially.
As a comparison, NHSBSA’s previous data showed 2.8 million identified patients received HRT prescriptions in 2024/25 with 14.7 million prescription items dispensed. The number of patients had increased by 6.4% from the previous year.
What could be driving this increase?
There are probably several factors to take into account:
Women are more informed – The conversation round menopause has exploded over the last 5 years. Women are increasingly recognising symptoms and asking about treatment options rather than accepting them as something to be ‘put up with’.
Healthcare professionals are more aware – Menopause education has increased and the shift towards diagnosing peri-menopause/ menopause from symptoms rather than routinely relying on blood tests has helped change practice.
HRT has become more affordable – The HRT Prescription Payment Certificate introduced in 2023 means eligible women in England can pay one annual charge for unlimited qualifying HRT prescriptions. The government reported more than 500,000 women had accessed cheaper HRT within its first year.
And another interesting point…….
The latest reporting is highlighting regional and socioeconomic differences in HRT prescribing.
For example, Brighton and Hove currently has the highest proportion of women over 40 receiving NHS HRT, while prescribing rates vary considerably across England.
The bigger picture is really encouraging. More women are recognising their symptoms, talking openly about menopause and seeking support, whilst healthcare professionals are increasingly recognising the importance of appropriate menopause care. The rise in HRT prescribing reflects just how much the conversation around menopause has changed over recent years – from something that was often suffered through in silence to a genuine health and wellbeing conversation.
Of course, we are well aware at Menopaus’ull that HRT is not right for everyone and treatment should always be an individual decision BUT the fact that 2 million women are now receiving NHS HRT is a powerful reminder that women are increasingly being heard, informed and supported to make choices about their own health.
Source: NHSBSA Record 2 million women receive NHS HRT prescribing in England, more than double the number in 2020/21
