Keys to the menopause medication crisis: what's missing, when will it return and what alternatives are there
The shortage of the drug Lenzetto has caused a chain crisis that has left thousands of menopausal and trans women without a hormone supply. One possibility on the table is to prioritize patients.
Crisis in Hormone Treatment Medication Affects Menopausal and Trans Women
Nearly a year has passed since menopausal and trans women on hormone therapy began experiencing issues with their medication. The crisis began last winter with supply problems for the estradiol spray Lenzetto, the main choice for many experts due to its easy administration. When this drug became scarce in March, the problem escalated and now affects at least six drugs.
The issue concerns transdermal medications (sprays, patches, gels), which are more commonly prescribed because they have a lower risk of blood clots compared to pills. The public-funded packaging of Lenzetto costs 0.8 euros, while unfunded versions can cost around 30 euros. Reports indicate that this crisis could potentially affect up to 400,000 menopausal and trans women, according to the Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause (AEEM).
Written by urgent.news from El Pais's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
