A new report published by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) shows that a record two million women aged 40 and over in England were prescribed NHS of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 2025/26, more than double the number in 2020/21 of 0.8 million.
Prescribing rates vary by location, from four per 100 women aged 40 and over being prescribed NHS HRT in Newham, to 23 per 100 women aged 40 and over in Brighton and Hove.
Women in the most deprived areas are less likely to be prescribed NHS HRT than women in the least deprived areas, with women in rural areas more likely to be prescribed NHS HRT than women in urban areas.
HRT is a treatment to relieve symptoms of the menopause. It replaces hormones that are at a lower level during perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.
While HRT prescribing has increased in women aged 40 and over, the data highlights that prescribing rates vary by area deprivation, geography and age. In 2025/26:
- 8.8% of women aged 40 and over were prescribed NHS HRT in the 20% most deprived areas
- 14.2% of women aged 40 and over were prescribed NHS HRT in less deprived areas
- Women in rural areas are also more likely to be prescribed NHS HRT than those in urban areas
- The growth in NHS HRT prescribing is highest in women aged 40 to 49
- At Integrated Care System level, NHS North East London has the lowest rate of NHS HRT prescribing at eight per 100 women aged 40 and over, while NHS Surrey and Sussex has the highest at 17 per 100 women
- At local authority level, Newham has the lowest rate of NHS HRT prescribing at four per 100 women aged 40 and over, while Brighton and Hove has the highest level at 23 per 100 women
- Transdermal products (applied to the skin) remain the most commonly prescribed form of oestrogen HRT across all populations, while the use of oral oestrogen products (taken as tablets) declined.
The report provides insights by age, deprivation, region, Integrated Care System, Primary Care Network, Local Authority and medication type.