Spain faces nationwide shortage of Lenzetto hormone spray, pushing patients to seek alternatives

Women undergoing menopause and transgender patients on hormone therapy across Spain are confronting a severe shortage of Lenzetto, a skin-applied estrogen spray normally covered by the public health system. Doctors at hospitals including Vall d’Hebron and Dexeus Mujer receive dozens of calls each day from patients who cannot find the medication in any pharmacy. The problem, first flagged by monitoring network Luda Partners in December 2025, led the Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios to list Lenzetto as a supply issue in March, with expectations of partial restoration only by November and full normalization by 2027.

As Lenzetto vanished, demand surged for other transdermal products such as Evopad, which are now also nearing depletion. Specialists stress that abrupt changes or self-discontinuation can worsen vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, and genital discomfort, and may have broader health implications for those with early menopause or ovarian insufficiency. While compounded pharmacy preparations exist, they are often not reimbursed, adding financial strain. Authorities cite increased demand, limited manufacturing capacity, and price-driven export pressures as key drivers of the shortage.