Service costs
Private HRT prescription costs in the UK
Service-level guide to the costs around private HRT prescribing: consultation fees, prescription issue fees, dispensing route, delivery and monitoring. HRT products are prescription-only medicines, so this consumer page does not show medicine-brand prices, rank medicines by cost or link to provider buying pages.
Important information for UK consumers
HRT products, including oestrogen, progestogen, combined HRT, vaginal oestrogen and testosterone preparations, are prescription-only medicines in the UK. Suitability, product selection, dose and route are clinical decisions for a UK-registered prescriber after assessment. This page is general information, not an advert, recommendation, offer of sale or medical advice.
Cost components to compare
| Cost component | Typical pattern | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Initial menopause consultation | Clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber before any HRT can be prescribed. | Ask whether the fee includes a written plan, GP letter and first prescription issue. |
| Prescription issue fee | Sometimes included in the consultation fee, sometimes charged separately for repeats. | Ask whether repeat prescriptions require a paid review or can be requested asynchronously. |
| Dispensing and medicine supply | The pharmacy confirms the final medicine cost after a valid prescription and stock check. | Ask which pharmacy dispenses, whether delivery is extra and how substitutions are handled during shortages. |
| Follow-up reviews | Usually needed after starting or changing HRT, then periodically for ongoing review. | Ask how many follow-ups are expected in year one and whether dose changes are included. |
| Monitoring and tests | Blood tests are not always required for standard menopause HRT, but may be used in some private pathways. | Ask whether tests are clinically necessary, optional or bundled into a programme. |
NHS route
England has an HRT prepayment certificate route; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different prescription charging rules.
Private route
Private clinics and online providers may charge separately for assessment, prescription issue, follow-up and dispensing.
Ongoing review
HRT often needs review after starting, dose changes or side effects, and periodically for continuing safety checks.
Market reporting data
TreatCompare retains observed provider-published medicine price records for market reporting, methodology and press use. Those records are presented alphabetically, with source dates and compliance caveats, not as a consumer buying table.
View neutral HRT market data methodologyBefore paying privately
- Check whether the clinician is GMC, NMC or GPhC registered and whether the clinic is CQC regulated where applicable.
- Ask whether the first prescription, repeat prescriptions and dose changes are included.
- Ask whether a GP letter is included and whether your NHS GP may continue prescribing once stable.
- Ask how the provider handles stock shortages, substitutions and pharmacy delivery charges.
- Ask whether any recommended blood tests are clinically necessary or optional.
Sources & further reading
- NHS: Hormone replacement therapy — Patient information on HRT formats, use and side effects.
- MHRA Blue Guide — UK medicines advertising guidance, including prescription-only medicines.
- ASA CAP advice on prescription-only medicines and websites — CAP advice on prescription-only medicines and public website content.