Surgical Menopause New Zealand Trust

Women in New Zealand deserve equitable access to safe, evidence-based treatment at every stage of life, including menopause. While four testosterone products are fully funded for men, AndroFeme – the only formulation specifically designed and approved for women – remains unfunded, putting effective treatment out of reach for many. The lower-cost alternative, Testogel, is a male formulation used off-label and not well-supported by safety data for women, leaving many doctors hesitant to prescribe it. AndroFeme is approved for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), a distressing loss of libido that can affect wellbeing, relationships, and confidence. Funding AndroFeme would provide women with a safe, effective, and evidence-based treatment option – something men already have. For more details, visit https://www.change.org/p/pharmac-fund-androfeme-the-only-approved-testosterone-treatment-for-women-in-nz.

This petition calls on Pharmac and the New Zealand government to reinstate funding for Estradot HRT patches, a gold-standard treatment for managing severe menopausal symptoms. The recent decision to remove Estradot from the funded list will leave many women with limited, less effective options, forcing them to endure worsened symptoms or pay unaffordable costs of $30–40 per month for treatment. Menopause affects 50% of the population, and access to diverse, effective treatments is essential for equitable healthcare and the wellbeing of all women. For more details, visit https://www.change.org/p/mandate-government-funding-for-keeping-estradot-hrt-patches-for-menopausal-women.

This petition, launched by the founder of Cala Clinic and Dr Anna Gilmour, GP, urges Pharmac to reconsider its decision to fund only Mylan estrogen patches from December 2025, leaving patients without funding for Estradot, a widely preferred and effective HRT option. Estradot’s removal limits choice, disrupts continuity of care, and creates inequity for low-income patients who cannot afford alternative treatments. For many, Estradot is essential for managing severe menopausal symptoms and maintaining long-term health. They call on Pharmac to subsidise multiple HRT options to ensure equitable, patient-centered care for all New Zealanders. For more details, visit https://www.change.org/p/continue-funding-estradot-patches-in-new-zealand.

This petition is addressed to Pharmac and calls for additional options of transdermal estrogen in a gel form (Sandrena and Estrogel products) that are not currently licensed or funded in New Zealand. We need better access and funding options for these alternative transdermal estrogen products for several reasons:

• Some women do not absorb the patches properly, often because they do not stick well on their skin.
• There are women who are allergic to the adhesive used in the patches and get skin reactions. 
• The regular worldwide shortages with the supply of estrogen patches make it harder for women to get funded alternatives.

For more details, visit https://www.change.org/p/fund-more-options-for-the-safest-form-of-estrogen.

This petition is addressed to Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health and calls for “an urgent Select Committee process by the Government to increase spending in the education about menopause and the treatment options available to women.” Its three main requests to #MakeMenopauseMatterNZ are to ensure:

• Mandatory menopause training for all GPs and medical students.
• Menopause awareness and support in every workplace.
• Menopause to be included in the curriculum in schools.

For more details, visit https://www.change.org/p/make-menopause-matter-in-healthcare-employment-and-education.