Free HRT treatment for women going through the menopause should be priority for Government – Senator Pauline O’Reilly

Hormone Replacement Therapy should be free for all women who need it, said Senator Pauline O’Reilly ahead of a motion in Seanad Éireann.

Senator O’Reilly, along with Green Party colleagues, is bringing forth a motion calling on the Government to support women going through the Menopause.

Senator O’Reilly said:

“The menopause is a challenging time for every woman, no matter when it happens. It brings with it a range of symptoms both biological and psychological.

“We need to be supporting women, especially at a time when so many are struggling with the cost-of-living. Standard prescriptions can cost anywhere between €30 and €70 per month.

“That’s why I’m calling on the government to provide HRT free of charge to all women who need it."

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a recognised treatment for many of the associated symptoms of menopause, notably for vasomotor (hot flushes, night sweats), cardiometabolic (insulin resistance, hypertension, diabetes) issues, osteological disease (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis) and mood changes or indicators of depression and anxiety.

The Irish Menopause, a support group for women, say that the cost of HRT is a major barrier to women taking up the treatment. They estimate standard prescriptions costing between €30 and €70 a month and they say that women have halted treatment because they cannot afford the cost.