Menopause

Menopause literally means your periods stopping, ‘meno’ referring to your menstrual cycle and ‘pause’ referring to the cycle stopping. It marks the move from the reproductive to the non-reproductive stage of your life.

When does Menopause occur?

Menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, with an average age of 51. It is a natural part of aging that sees oestrogen and other hormone levels decline in the months or years leading up to it (perimenopause).  As this happens, your periods may become heavier or lighter and less frequent or irregular, sometimes stopping for months before returning, until they stop altogether.  The medical definition of menopause is when you have gone 12 months without a period.

What are the symptoms of Menopause?

  • Hot Flushes
  • Night Sweats
  • Sleep problems
  • Mood changes
  • Brain fog
  • Reduced sex drive (libido)
  • Joint and muscle aches and pains
  • Hair and skin changes
  • Headaches
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

FREE HRT Scheme Ireland

As of 1st June 2025, many HRT products are free to patients in Ireland.

Drugs Payment Scheme Regisation

In order to access free HRT, you must be registered for the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) and provide the pharmacy with your DPS number.

This is usually your PPS number with an extra letter at the end.

We can set you up with an emergency DPS number if you haven’t done so yet, you will need to go online to complete the application within 3 months.

Medical Card holders

You will still need to register for a DPS number

What you’ll pay

Once you have a DPS number, any HRT products covered on the Free HRT scheme will be supplied at no cost to you.

If you have a medical card, you won’t be charged to GMS levy for Free HRT products.

Only non-HRT medications will be charged.

Menopause Treatments – Hormone Replacement Therapy

As menopause is a result of your body producing less hormones, one of the most effective ways to treat symptoms is to replace those hormones using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  While helping relieve symptoms of menopause, HRT also protects you from osteoporosis, heart disease and other conditions associated with aging.  There are many types of HRT and your GP can discuss your options with you to choose which one is best for you.

HRT Stock Issues

There is a continuing global shortage of HRT products.

Please contact us to ensure we currently have your product in stock.

Continuous Combined HRT Products

Continuous combined HRT is suitable for postmenopausal women who still have an intact womb (have not had a hysterectomy) and who have not had a period in more than 12 months. It consists of a daily dose of both oestrogen and progestogen, administered as an oral tablet daily or regular release from a transdermal patch which is usually changed twice weekly.
Medication Dose
Patch Evorel Conti® 50/mcg/170mcg
Tablet Kliogest® 2mg/1mg
Tablet Activelle® 1mg/0.5mg
Tablet Angeliq® 1mg/2mg
Tablet Indivina® 1mg/2.5mg
Tablet Indivina® 1mg/5mg
Tablet Indivina® 2mg/5mg
Tablet Femoston Conti® 0.5mg /2.5mg
Tablet Femoston Conti® 1mg /5mg

Oestrogen-only HRT Products

Oestrogen-only HRT is suitable for women who have had their womb (uterus) removed during a hysterectomy. It can also be used in combination with a progestogen product for women with an intact uterus.
Medication Dose
Patch Evorel® 50mcg
Patch Estradot® 37.5mcg
Patch Estradot® 50mcg
Patch Estradot®  75mcg
Patch Estradot®  100mcg
Tablet Fematab®  1mg
Tablet Fematab®  2mg
Tablet Estrofem®  2mg
Tablet Premarin®  0.625mg
Tablet Premarin®  1.25mg
Gel Divigel® 0.1% gel  1mg
Gel Oestrogel® Pump-pack gel  750mcg
Spray Lenzetto 1.53mg

Progestogen HRT Products

Postmenopausal women with an intact uterus taking HRT must include progestogen in addition to oestrogen in their regimen.  The doctor may prescribe this in a combination product or the two hormones separately.  If they are prescribed separately, below is a list of progestogen-only products that can be used together with an oestrogen-only product.
Medication Dose
Tablet Provera® 10mg
Tablet Duphaston® 10mg

Local Oestrogen Therapies

In addition to systemic HRT which is absorbed by the body to treat all the common symptoms of the menopause, low-dose vaginal preparations of oestrogen are also available to treat vaginal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness. These low-dose vaginal preparations will not improve other symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, or protect against the longer term complications of menopause, such as osteoporosis. As they are low dose and are not absorbed by the body, they can be used on their own without using a progestogen.
Medication Dose
Pessary Vagifem® 10mcg
Cream Ovestin® 1mg/gram (15g tube)
Pessary Imvaggis® 0.03mg

Non-prescription Products

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Help & Support

The Menopause Hubis a great resource where you will find helpful information and tips during your menopausal years.

Order your Prescription

To start using Healthwave for prescriptions we’ll need your prescription sent to us. Prescriptions can now be sent electronically by your hospital, GP or online doctor.

If you have a prescription with us, the quickest way to place an order is to use our digital assistant. The assistant will collect your details for our pharmacists to review. Our pharmacists will contact you and arrange delivery. You will then receive a payment link where you can securely pay online.

Start Order
Order your Prescription

Nationwide Delivery

We deliver to all addresses in The Republic of Ireland, to both home and work/office locations. Once we have your prescription from your GP, your medications will be checked by our pharmacists and dispatched for delivery in 1-2 days. We cannot ship prescription medications outside of Ireland due to regulations.

Discrete Packaging

All medication orders are sent in discreet packaging without any Healthwave branding on the outside. We also use specialised cold-chain packaging for fridge items.

Please note our company name “Healthwave LTD” and return address will be printed in small text on any shipping labels attached to your package. This is required by delivery services and pharmacy regulations to ensure your medication can be safely returned to us if undeliverable.

Pharmacists at hand

With Healthwave, you have your very own personal pharmacist in your pocket.If you need any help or advice on your medications, our team of pharmacists is available by phone call, text message and email whenever you need.

Ask a Pharmacist