Alison O'Connor: HRT is a lifeline for women, so why do we tolerate such a shortage?

Menopause isn’t a feminist or a niche issue. This affects our whole society — women make up over half the population

Healthcare professionals in Ireland are not routinely educated on menopause or the benefits of HRT and health advice is often out of date.

A white sticker on the outside of my pharmacy bag containing my prescription says: “Please inform Alison that Estradot is still unavailable”. This message from the pharmacist was relayed at the counter, and, no, there was no news on when stocks might be replenished.

I am just one of thousands, probably tens of thousands, of Irish women who are hearing the same story as they try to source HRT prescriptions around the country.