THERE is less funding to treat patients in Wiltshire who are going through the menopause than in the rest of the country. 

According to data provided by the BBC through the NHS, 80,152 prescriptions for hormonal replacement therapy were given out to menopausal women.

There are currently 104,789 females between the ages of 45 to 60 - the ages in which menopause is most likely to occur - within Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire

The regional NHS services paid on average £11.14 per patient for these services, which is 64 per cent less than in West Suffolk where £14.10 was spent per woman in this age bracket.

There are currently six menopause clinics in the area covered by the integrated care board managing health services in Wiltshire and the wider region - but only two are NHS clinics, the other four are private healthcare.

There are currently 199 menopause clinics in England, but only 74 of these are NHS clinics and almost a third of those NHS clinics are in either in London or Surrey.

Some professionals have argued that this turns menopause care into a postcode lottery.

Dr Anne Connolly said: "I think there’s been such a variability for many years in prescribing for women’s health generally and more specifically for management of menopause.

"I think it’s disappointing but I’m not surprised. Menopause management isn’t as straight forward as a yes or no.

"There are lots of factors that play into whether somebody wants to talk about their menopausal issues, and there’s huge variability in the impact menopausal concerns will have on different women.

"So it’s not always straightforward as to whether a woman should have HRT or wants HRT.

"There are so many myths still on the internet about HRT. Some of those are very concerning.

"Some women think it’s something they really don’t want, other women have done more research and found better information and might come and talk more readily about whether HRT is an option for them.

"One size does not fit all for menopause management."

In response to these findings, an NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS has a Menopause Pathway Improvement Programme, which includes increased learning for clinicians in how they can best support menopausal women, and working with clinical colleges and menopause organisations to improve awareness and understanding.

“A new Menopause Optimal Pathway will also guide clinicians and help women in the workplace during peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause.”