Your questions

Can I get HRT over the counter?

Mostly no, with one exception. Since 2022 a low-dose vaginal oestrogen called Gina can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription, after a pharmacist suitability check, for vaginal symptoms in postmenopausal women aged 50 and over who have not had a period for at least a year. Whole-body HRT for hot flushes and other symptoms still needs a prescription. This is information, not medical advice.

The one product you can buy: Gina

In 2022 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reclassified Gina, a 10 microgram vaginal estradiol tablet, from a prescription-only medicine to one a pharmacist can sell (gov.uk). It was the first HRT product in the UK to become available without a prescription. You buy it at the pharmacy counter rather than online without checks, and the pharmacist carries out a short suitability assessment before supplying it.

What Gina treats, and who it is for

Gina is a low-dose vaginal oestrogen that treats local symptoms of vaginal atrophy after the menopause, such as dryness, soreness, itching, burning and discomfort during sex, caused by falling oestrogen. It acts locally in the vagina rather than on the whole body, which is why it could be reclassified after a safety review by the MHRA and the Commission on Human Medicines. It is intended for postmenopausal women aged 50 and over who have not had a period for at least one year. The pharmacist will refer you to a GP if it is not suitable for you.

Whole-body HRT still needs a prescription

Systemic HRT, the tablets, patches, gels and sprays used for hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and other whole-body symptoms, remains prescription-only. To start it you will need to see a GP or a menopause specialist, who will discuss the benefits and risks for you and decide on the type and dose. If supply of your prescribed HRT is a problem, see our guide on what to do when a pharmacy is out of your HRT.

A note on supplements

Supplements sold for menopause are not HRT and are not a substitute for it. No supplement is authorised to claim it treats menopausal symptoms. If your symptoms are affecting your life, the route is a conversation with a GP or menopause specialist about evidence-based options, not an over-the-counter product marketed as a hormone alternative.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Easier access to locally-applied HRT, Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets reclassification (gov.uk)
• MHRA / Commission on Human Medicines: Public Assessment Report, Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets (gov.uk)
• NHS: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/)

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed June 2026. This is general information, not medical advice, and is not a substitute for a registered clinician or pharmacist. For HRT options, speak to your GP, a menopause specialist or a pharmacist. Return to the questions hub.