Holly Cairns has warned that the rising cost of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is preventing many women from seeking help for menopause.
Currently, women who have been prescribed HRT must pay between €30 and €70 a month.
To help combat the huge roadblock to treatment, the Social Democrats leader is calling for HRT to be delivered free to any women who need it to manage the “major [menopausal] shifts that impact their daily lives”.
Speaking at the launch of the Menopause Hub in Ballincollig, Co Cork, the TD spoke of her frustrations surrounding the issue.
“Free HRT is an essential part of removing those barriers of cost for women taking up treatment during menopause, and so many women stop their treatment, or never access it in the first place, because they cannot afford it,” she explained.
“It is essential that the reality of menopause and perimenopause are communicated and taught to women so we can be aware of what is happening to our mind and to our body,” she added.
Praising the Menopause Hub, Ms Cairns went on to state that their work is vital to women struggling with menopause symptoms.
“They provide equal and affordable access to high-quality medical care and treatment, in our own communities, breaking down those barriers which have kept so many people, and women in Cork, from accessing the care they need.” she detailed.
Menopause Hub CEO Loretta Dignam also recently spoke out about why Cork was chosen for the location of their third clinic.
“Lots of women from Cork got in touch after we opened our second clinic in Santry, and we’re looking forward to meeting more women from the county to help them through their menopause journey,” she noted, adding that the Hub can be reached directly and without a GP referral.
Menopause Hub can also be found in Santry, north Dublin, and Mount Merrion, South Co Dublin. For more information about the Menopause Hub, visit their website here.
