Doctors in Spain report menopause hormone treatment shortages from May

Around May 2026, doctors in Spain began reporting shortages of hormonal treatments for menopause. Among the products affected were transdermal estradiol patches and gels, which release oestrogen through the skin and are widely prescribed to ease symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness.

Gynaecologists and primary care doctors said many patients were struggling to find their prescribed medication in pharmacies. Some women had to switch to alternative formulations or go without treatment, which can bring symptoms back and complicate follow-up care.

The reports mattered because hormone therapy is a long-term treatment for many women, and sudden gaps in supply can disrupt it. They also drew attention to how medicine shortages affect treatments used mainly by women. This early warning from clinicians marked the start of a problem that later led to higher prices and wider concern about access to menopause medication in Spain.