Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions in the U.S. nearly doubled between January 2017 and April 2026 [1], [2].
The surge reflects a shift in medical guidance and regulatory oversight for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. As more patients seek these treatments to manage symptoms, the sudden increase in demand has strained the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The rise in usage follows a decision by the Food and Drug Administration to remove black-box warnings on estrogen patches and other menopausal hormone products [3]. These warnings had previously limited the prescription of HRT. Marty Makary said that over the past two decades, tens of millions of women have been denied or not offered hormone replacement therapy [4].
This regulatory change has led to conflicting reports regarding medication availability. A reporter for KTVU said that many women who use estrogen patches for perimenopause and menopause symptoms are facing a shortage of the drug [5]. However, the FDA said there is no estrogen patch shortage [6].
Despite the supply disputes, the trend toward increased accessibility continues. Some reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of women could benefit from cheaper hormone therapy options [7]. The increased volume of prescriptions suggests a broader acceptance of HRT within the U.S. healthcare system as providers move away from the restrictive warnings of previous decades.
Patients currently struggling to fill prescriptions are encouraged to consult their providers for alternative delivery methods, or different brands of estrogen therapy, to mitigate the impact of localized shortages.
“Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions in the U.S. nearly doubled between January 2017 and April 2026.”
The sharp increase in HRT prescriptions signals a significant pivot in women's healthcare, moving from a period of high caution to one of increased therapeutic adoption. The contradiction between patient experiences and FDA claims regarding shortages suggests a disconnect between national supply data and pharmacy-level availability, likely exacerbated by the rapid pace of demand growth.
