Help – I’ve forgotten to take my HRT!

Our guide on what to do if you are running low, miss a dose or need to order more in a hurry

When life is hectic or you’re away from home, your regular HRT regime can easily slip your mind. So we’ve put together an expert guide to staying on top of your HRT – and don’t forget you can download the balance app to keep a track of your symptoms, log your medication and find lots of useful articles.

I forgot to use my HRT this morning – can I take it now, or does it have to be at the same time every day?

It’s recommended that you take daily HRT, such as spray, gel and oral tablets at the same time every day, to ensure an even dose of the hormones it contains. If you usually split your dose of gel between morning and evening, then you should aim for about 12 hours between each application. But memory slip-ups mean we all forget to take medication now and then, especially when we’re away from home. If you take or apply your medication a couple of hours later now and then, it shouldn’t make any difference.

RELATED: Oestrogen in patches, gels or sprays factsheet

I forgot to take my progesterone capsules last night – should I take them this morning (and will they make me drowsy)?

Ideally you should try to take them in the evening and be consistent with this if at all possible as missed doses of progesterone can lead to breakthrough bleeding. Some women feel drowsy after taking progesterone (which can be a useful side effect at nighttime) so it would not be a good idea to take in the morning if this happens to you.

Missing the occasional dose is not a huge issue but if you are regularly missing doses then speak to your healthcare professional about how to make your medicines fit more easily into your daily routine.

If I forgot to take my HRT one day, should I double up on my dose on the following day?

No, you should continue with your usual dose. Doubling up on the dose may cause worse side effects than the missed dose, such as a headache or breast tenderness.

I’ve left my HRT patch on longer than directed. What should I do?

You should change it as soon as possible. However, your patch releases oestrogen at an hourly rate and does not run out of oestrogen abruptly, so a late change does not often cause any significant issues. This may mean that you will need to change the days that you change your patches going forwards, or you can change the next patch early to coincide with the days you are used to changing your patches.

How much notice do I need to give for a repeat HRT prescription?

Hayley Berry, a pharmacist at Newson Health with a specialist interest in menopause and hormones, recommends that you re-order when you get down to about two to four weeks’ supply. ‘Getting a prescription from your GP and then getting it filled at a pharmacy can take between seven and 10 days during busy periods so bear this is mind when placing your repeat prescription order,’ she adds.

Help, I’ve run out of HRT!

If you run out while you’re away in the UK, then don’t panic, and don’t think you have to wait until you get home. Hayley says community pharmacies will generally be able to help with an emergency supply. ‘Either go online at NHS 111 and follow the link for emergency prescriptions, which will link you up with a local, open pharmacy (this is the preferred and most efficient option), or drop in to a local pharmacy and ask for help,’ she says.

‘If you need an emergency supply, it’s worth taking any packaging from your medication or old prescriptions along to the community pharmacy as this will help confirm the medicine details. Most pharmacists will be happy to help you and, in most cases, be able to provide at least enough medication until you are home.’

I’m staying with a friend and I’ve run out of my HRT. Can I use theirs?

No, this is not recommended. HRT regimes are prescribed differently to suit each individual woman’s needs and can be subtly different, even if it looks the same. Some examples of the risks of taking medication which is not prescribed for you include interactions with other medications, side effects, and dose errors. Try to contact your own usual HRT prescriber to see if an emergency prescription can be arranged.

RELATED: HRT doses explained

I’ve got a flight coming up. Can I take my HRT in my hand luggage?

If you’re heading abroad, you don’t want to be worrying about your HRT while you’re away. First, check the rules of the country you’re going to as well as any you’re just passing through. Most countries will allow most medications as long as you show your prescription for them too – and this includes your HRT.

Always carry medicines (and applicators/syringes) in their original, correctly labelled packages. Check that you have enough to last your trip and make sure any medication you take will remain in date.

Carry your medicine in your hand luggage with a copy of your prescription. Remember most airlines restrict cabin liquids to 100ml and this would include oestrogen gel. One pump pack of Oestrogel is 80ml so can be put in your hand luggage.

Try to avoid buying medication in other countries, as you may get the wrong or fake versions of your HRT. Avoid this by taking plenty of what you need with you from your usual place of residence.

RELATED: Taking your HRT abroad: everything you need to know