Hormone Replacement Therapy Uptake and Discontinuation Trends From 1996‐2023: An Observational Study of the Welsh Population

Disparities in HRT prescribing patterns reflect GP and patient perceptions of safety. Women in their mid-40s to early 50s, often at a natural menopause stage, adhered better, particularly to oral tablets, suggesting that administration route and symptom relief influence adherence. Socio-economic deprivation remains a barrier to HRT access. Time trends highlight the influence of widely publicised studies and media on uptake, albeit adherence has continually declined since 2001. Additional research is needed to tackle socio-economic inequalities and assess strategies for achieving cost-effective and efficient HRT prescribing practices.