Thousands of women in Spain forced to hunt for medicine just to feel human, what to do if you are affected

Menopause for many woman can be an incredibly miserable phase of life, not feeling anything like yourself and having little control over your own body. It already brings enough disruption without the addition hassle of having to ring round a dozen chemists just to get the one treatment that works.

A shortage that started with a faulty spray

Spain has been struggling with a shortfall of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) since March 2026, forcing many women to search for alternatives. Around 400,000 women in Spain currently use these therapies, according to gynaecologist Mercedes Herrero, and demand has been rising in recent years, these treatments for lots of women are essential to maintaining their quality of life.

Lenzetto, an oestrogen spray applied to the skin, was at the very centre of the issue. A fault with the product’s dispenser began the shortages back in March, and Spain’s medicines regulator, the AEMPS (the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products), officially declared the shortage on March 16. The agency expects supply to return to normal in November.

Gels such as Oestraclin, as well as various patches, are still available as substitutes, if suitable for your body, in the meantime. However the demand on these substitutes has created a knock-on effect. Evopad patches, the only ones covered by Spain’s public health system, and Estradot have also become harder to find, tightening an already strained market.

Bijuva, a combined oestrogen-progesterone treatment, has been unavailable since July after its manufacturer paused all production, packaging and distribution. Supply is due to resume by November 30, though a backlog of orders means restrictions remain in place across several markets.

Why swapping treatments isn’t as easy as people would think

Gynaecologist Mercedes Herrero stresses that patients need clear information about which natural hormone products are affected. Sprays can usually be swapped for patches or creams, and oral oestrogen tablets are also an option for those able to take medication that way.

Having alternatives, she says, doesn’t mean the underlying problem has gone away. Sticking with a treatment matters for it to remain effective, and interruptions often mean patients stop taking anything at all, especially when getting a doctor’s appointment to arrange an alternative isn’t always straightforward.

Women turning detective to track down their medication

One patient, Silvia, was prescribed Lenzetto over the summer to help with mood changes, only to find dispensers had already vanished from shelves. Rather than switch treatments, she’s chosen to wait until November and lean on supplements recommended by her doctor in the meantime. Julia had more luck. Her local pharmacist used Farmahelp, a platform that helps pharmacies locate medicines affected by shortages to source a spray. Even so, concern that the shortage would repeat each month pushed her towards a different therapy altogether, with her hot flushes and other symptoms leaving little room to wait.

Frustration has tipped over into a Change.org petition launched by 49-year-old Rebeca Martin, who is on HRT herself. Her campaign has gathered more than 20,000 signatures and calls for authorities to act before shortages happen and to guarantee accessible alternatives when they do.

“Women are turning into detectives,” Martin says, describing calls to multiple pharmacies, journeys between towns, and time spent trying to work out what’s still in stock. Nobody, she feels, seems to be taking the problem seriously enough.

What women affected by the shortage can do

Contacting a GP or gynaecologist before a prescription runs out is a sensible first step, rather than waiting until stock has already disappeared. A doctor can advise on switching to a different form of the same hormone, such as a patch or gel instead of a spray.

Checking with more than one pharmacy is worth doing too, since stock levels vary between branches. Asking whether a local chemist has access to Farmahelp may also help locate supplies elsewhere.

Following official updates from the AEMPS can give a clearer picture of when a specific shortage is likely to ease, as the regulator publishes expected return dates for affected products.

Speaking to a doctor is the most important step for anyone affected. A medical professional can assess symptoms, suggest a suitable alternative, and advise on the safest way to manage a change in treatment.

Anyone affected by the shortage should speak to their own doctor or pharmacist about the best option for them.