A new wave in menopause care: Innovation, awareness, and the search for personalised treatment

Menopause has gained significant social and scientific attention in recent years, with research, public awareness, and clinical innovation accelerating rapidly. At the University of Warwick, this momentum includes a promising development from Medherant, a British pharmaceutical company associated with the university, with their development of a testosterone patch to support women through menopause. The advancement has successfully completed the first phase of its clinical trial.

Medherant was founded by Professor David Haddleton and the University of Warwick, drawing on their world-leading expertise in bioadhesives and polymer chemistry. Their patented TEPI Patch^® uses a pressure-sensitive adhesive that mixes the drug directly into the material, allowing for controlled, consistent release through the skin. In patch form, testosterone can be delivered at a stable level with fewer side effects, and as a more convenient option than gels or creams.

The company’s testosterone patch is being developed to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women. This has been an area of long-unmet clinical need for those who experience distressingly low libido and it will hopefully offer a better quality of life for these women in the future. The development accompanies the news of a two dose, twice weekly combined patch to support those with oestrogen deficiency symptoms, expanding the range of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options available.

While many women begin with tablets, often because they’re easier to prescribe and allow clinicians to establish a suitable dose, oral HRT is associated with a slightly increased risk of developing certain cancers for some individuals

Discussing this news with my mother led to me discovering more about her own experience of menopause, which has been complicated by her autoimmune condition. The medication she takes increases the risk of developing cancer, which poses difficulties to the process of beginning HRT.

Fortunately, there are now multiple forms of HRT available. While many women begin with tablets, often because they’re easier to prescribe and allow clinicians to establish a suitable dose, oral HRT is associated with a slightly increased risk of developing certain cancers for some individuals. For my mum, this posed a problem: she was taking two medications that both contributed to an increased risk.

This isn’t a new dilemma. Too many women have spoken about being placed on unsuitable doses, only to have their lives disrupted years later by breast cancer. It’s a stark reminder of how essential careful and personalised prescribing of medication truly is.

My mum only discovered the issue after changing medical providers. Her new doctor – who had recently completed updated training in menopause care – realised immediately that HRT tablets were not the safest option for someone also taking methotrexate (a medication used to treat autoimmune conditions). This oversight by previous doctors illustrates how uneven menopausal training can be across the healthcare system. In this case, improved awareness spared her from potentially years of unnecessary risk and opened the door to better-suited alternatives.

Medherant’s research into hormone-based patches highlights the importance of expanding treatment options during menopause. But my mum’s experience underscores something equally critical: better education for healthcare providers and more personalised guidance for patients

With oral HRT no longer recommended, my mum had to choose another delivery method. Many of her friends found patches convenient, and while that works well for them, my mum is allergic to sticking plasters. The gel option turned out to be slow to dry and mum quickly became fed up waiting. Eventually she tried HRT in spray form, which I didn’t even know existed! It dried in just ten seconds, so mum was over the moon.

This sounds like an ad, I know, but I promise her enthusiasm is from the relief of finally finding a treatment that genuinely works for her after a long, frustrating process, not a paid promotion.

Medherant’s research into hormone-based patches highlights the importance of expanding treatment options during menopause. But my mum’s experience underscores something equally critical: better education for healthcare providers and more personalised guidance for patients.

Menopause is neither a one-size-fits-all experience nor is HRT. As scientific innovation continues, improving awareness and accessibility is just as vital as developing new therapies.