Hormone shortages leave women struggling to manage menopause symptoms

Women in Denmark relying on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage menopause symptoms are facing persistent shortages, forcing some to travel long distances to secure medication, national broadcaster DR reports.

Anette Saatterup from Gørding says the patches, gels, and sprays she depends on to function daily are frequently out of stock, leaving her in constant pain when supplies run low. “When the dosage is right, I can be myself again,” she explains. “But without the right medication, there isn’t a single minute without pain—day or night.”

The shortages have created a cycle of panic and desperation. Each time a product becomes unavailable, Saatterup must switch to an alternative, a process that disrupts her body’s adjustment. “Every preparation works a little differently for me,” she says. “It’s exhausting because nothing ever becomes stable.”

Her search for medication has taken her across the country, from local pharmacies in Esbjerg, Bramming, and Holsted to larger cities like Aarhus and Odense. “I’ve driven everywhere,” she admits. “I don’t even want to calculate how much time I’ve spent just trying to find what I need.”

Beyond physical pain, the uncertainty has left her feeling isolated. With long wait times for specialists and limited support, she fears the consequences of going without treatment—particularly the risk of being unable to work. “I love my job. I want to stay active,” she says. “Is that too much to ask?”

Saatterup calls on manufacturers to address the shortages urgently. “Please, start producing enough and take this seriously.”

Pharmaceutical company Sandoz, which produces some of the affected HRT products, acknowledges the global surge in demand but cannot provide a timeline for resolution. “We’ve already significantly increased capacity and are doing everything possible to expand further, but these changes take time,” says Lawrenze Mead, General Manager for Sandoz in the Nordics.

The Danish Medicines Agency confirms recent shortages of hormone patches but notes that additional shipments are expected at pharmacies in the coming days.