Everything We Know About The Free HRT Roll Out

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The latest budget is finally taking another substantial step forward in the direction of women’s health in 2025.

The new budget promises a €35 million women’s health package which includes the roll out of free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

The package will help to fund the costs of HRT products such as patches, medicines and coils. It is expected that women could save as much as €840 as a result of the new roll out.

The free HRT roll out will begin in January 2025. This new step is proof that the state is prioritising women’s health, which has been so often neglected in the past.

With the legalisation of abortion in 2019, the free contraception scheme which was rolled out in 2022, and the opening of six menopause clinics in Ireland, women’s health is at long last beginning to get the attention it deserves.

 

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So, what’s happening with the HRT roll out?

Women have had to fork out the bill for HRT treatments for many years now to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause which can include anxiety, painful intercourse, hot flushes, brain fog and an array of other symptoms.

This new roll out not only has the potential to improve the financial situation (currently women are paying between €30 and €70 per month for treatment) around HRT but also open people’s eyes to the real struggle women going through menopause and perimenopause face daily.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

According to the HSE, HRT is the process of replacing hormones that are at a low-level approaching menopause. There are two types of HRT:

• Combined HRT is a combination of oestrogen and progesterone.

• Oestrogen only HRT contains the singular hormone oestrogen.

Coils, tablets and patches, estrogen gel and oestrogen spray are different methods of HRT treatment.

For more information on the different types of HRT take a look at the HSE website.

 

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Other benefits of HRT

HRT can also help to prevent osteoporosis for women in early menopause. According to the Royal Osteoporosis Society, the drop in the hormone oestrogen around the menopause contributes to bone loss which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis in the future.

HRT, which leads to an increase in oestrogen levels, helps to reduce your chances of breaking bones and developing osteoporosis.

How to start HRT

If you wish to start managing your menopause or perimenopause symptoms you can speak to your GP who will advise you which HRT method is right for you.

It is important to note that while all women can avail of the free HRT products from 2025, they must still pay for their GP visit to acquire a prescription for the treatment.

Here are a couple of helpful Instagram pages to follow if you are going through the menopause or perimenopause, or would just like to get a better understanding of the process.

Menopause Health Clinic

International Menopause Society

Wellnesswarrior.ie

Menopause Hub

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