Welcome progress in treatment of menopause 

GOVERNMENT approval for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products to be free of charge to women experiencing menopause has been welcomed by Clare Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey who described it as a sign of the significant progress in improving menopause care over recent years.

Speaking ahead of World Menopause Day on this Friday, October 18, Ms Carey said HRT was the most commonly used treatment for managing menopausal symptoms and had been shown to be the most effective intervention for managing these symptoms.

“The intention for 2025 is to cover the costs associated with HRT products and intrauterine devices, commonly known as coils, which are prescribed for women to manage their menopausal symptoms, and which are included on the Health Service Executive (HSE) Reimbursement List”, Ms Carey explained.

“€20 million has been ring-fenced in Budget 2025 for this measure to come into effect next January with an increased allocation of €24 million proposed for 2026. Payment to pharmacies and the costs of consultations with healthcare providers are not covered, although this aspect may be considered in any future expansion of the scheme.

“The full scope of the proposed measure is currently being finalised and the Minister for Health has secured cabinet approval to bring an amendment to the 2024 Health Insurance Bill,” she added.

“Menopause is an issue that has been cloaked in silence and secrecy for many years and has only become a mainstream topic relatively recently. In this context, the term includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, and induced menopause. 

“In 2020 and 2021, the Women’s Health Taskforce invited women to share their views and experiences of healthcare in Ireland. Those who engaged in this exercise reported that menopause was a taboo subject which was not openly discussed; that their symptoms were often dismissed; that society did not support them, and that they felt a sense of loneliness and isolation. 

“Improving care for women before, during and after menopause has been a priority since the publication of the first Women’s Health Action Plan 2022-2023 and significant progress has been made to improve menopause care through the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce,” Ms Carey concluded.