More and more women are being treated for menopausal symptoms, but at the same time there is a lack of access to hormone medications. For example, patches and sprays containing estrogen have been backordered.
Because the Medical Products Agency has neither its own manufacturing nor stock of pharmaceuticals, it can only engage in dialogue with the companies and try to follow the forecasts, according to Maria Wanrud, group manager and investigator at the agency.
"We have no way of demanding that they deliver to Sweden, but they themselves decide, so we have no direct power to influence it," she says.
“Repeated shortage situations”
According to the authority, demand for hormone medications has increased, both in Sweden and globally, and there is increased competition for the medications in foreign markets, which is believed to have contributed to the situation.
"In recent years, we have had repeated shortages of the various patches available for menopause treatment. Currently, four out of five strengths of the Estradot patch are available while one is on backorder, so that is positive, but we don't know what it will look like in the future," says Maria Wanrud.
The Minister: “Problematic”
The government is now calling in the Medical Products Agency and the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency to get a picture of how the shortages arise and get answers on what further can be done, according to Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD).
The minister describes the situation as "deeply problematic" and points out that women risk a reduced quality of life if they do not receive the right treatment.
"We have seen a recurring and serious shortage of hormone medications for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. This concerns hundreds of thousands of women in Sweden who rely on these medications to function in their everyday lives," says Jakob Forssmed.
During menopause, hormone levels in the body change: both the amount of estrogen and the amount of luteal hormone decrease. The number of eggs in the ovaries runs out; ovulation and menstruation become irregular and eventually stop altogether. About five years after the last menstruation, the eggs are completely gone and the body has a constantly low level of estrogen.
Estrogen affects many organs throughout the body. Many of the symptoms that occur are due to the decreasing amount of estrogen in the body.
Symptoms vary, but some of the most common are hot flashes, chills, sweating, sleep problems, fatigue, mood swings, depression, dry mucous membranes and skin, and decreased sex drive.
Menopause can last for different lengths of time, from a few years to more than ten years. Most people have their last menstrual period (menopause) at about age 51 or 52, but it can vary from the age of 45 to 57. Some people have their last menstrual period even earlier.
Source: 1177
