Most of us are creatures of habit when it comes to our bodies. We tend to notice fairly quickly when something doesn’t feel quite right, whether that’s a headache that lingers, a lump that wasn’t there before, or a change in how we feel day to day. However, if you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s, it isn’t always that simple.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and one thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is how confusing breast changes can be during perimenopause. Below, we’ll look at why it’s so easy to put a change down to hormones at this stage of life, the signs worth getting checked, and why it’s always worth acting sooner rather than later.

Breast changes in perimenopause

During perimenopause, your body goes through so many changes that it’s easy to put anything new or unusual down to hormones, rather than stopping to ask whether something else might be going on. Your breasts are no exception. As oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, your breast tissue can change too, sometimes quite noticeably. At different times it may feel more tender, lumpy or uneven than you’re used to.

The trouble is, this can make it harder to tell when something is genuinely different rather than part of your usual pattern. Getting to know what’s normal for you, and how that shifts through your cycle and across perimenopause, makes it much easier to spot when something falls outside of it.

If you’ve recently started HRT, you may also notice some breast tenderness. This is a common side effect in the first few months and usually settles as your body adjusts, but it shouldn’t stop you from getting any new lump or change checked.

Signs worth getting checked

Some changes are always worth mentioning to your GP, whatever stage of life you’re at. These include a new lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit; changes to the skin such as puckering, dimpling or redness; a nipple that has become pulled in or started producing unusual discharge; or a change in the size or shape of your breast that isn’t part of your usual pattern. Breast pain on its own isn’t usually a sign of breast cancer, but if it’s there most or all of the time, it’s still worth having checked.

Cancer Research UK have put together a helpful breast awareness guide you can keep at home. It includes a simple checklist of what to look and feel for, and tips on making sure you’re taken seriously when you raise a concern.

Why it’s always worth acting sooner

The earlier breast cancer is found, the more likely treatment is to be successful. That’s why it’s so important not to wait, whether that means waiting to see if a change settles on its own or waiting weeks for a routine GP appointment. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always worth getting it looked at, even if you suspect it’s probably nothing.

At EssexPrivateGP, you can see one of our experienced female doctors quickly, without a long wait for an appointment. Our consultations give you time to talk in confidence through any changes you’ve noticed, alongside any other perimenopause or menopause symptoms, so you can feel reassured or get the right referral without delay.

Book a consultation today and give yourself the reassurance of knowing, rather than wondering.

Most of us could tell you the last time we stepped on the scales, or when we last had a check-up at the dentist. But ask when you last had your blood pressure measured, and there’s a good chance you won’t have an answer.

You’re not alone, more than four in ten UK adults don’t know their current blood pressure reading, even though it can tell you a huge amount about your long-term health.

This is exactly why Know Your Numbers! Week takes place every September. Running from 7th to 13th September, it’s the UK’s biggest free blood pressure testing and awareness campaign, encouraging everyone to take a few minutes to get their numbers checked.

High blood pressure is often called a ‘silent’ condition because it rarely causes any obvious symptoms, yet it remains the biggest preventable cause of death in the UK. If you’re not quite sure why blood pressure matters so much, or how often you should be getting checked, below we’ll look at why it’s worth knowing your numbers and how you can get tested.

Why blood pressure is worth knowing

High blood pressure, or hypertension, puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels over time. Left unchecked, it can increase your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia, several of which most of us already know are linked to blood pressure, even if we don’t think much about our own.

Around half of us mistakenly believe high blood pressure causes noticeable symptoms, when in reality it’s often picked up only once something has already gone wrong, or when someone happens to have it checked for another reason. That’s a big part of why an estimated 4.2 million adults in the UK are currently living with high blood pressure without knowing it.

How often you should be checking your blood pressure

If you’re over 40, it’s recommended that you have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, whether that’s with a home monitor, at a pharmacy, or during a GP appointment. If you’ve never had it checked, or can’t quite remember your last reading, Know Your Numbers! Week is as good a prompt as any to put that right.

A blood pressure check only takes a few minutes and is completely painless, so there’s really no reason to put it off. Knowing your numbers means you and your GP can spot any changes early on and make simple adjustments to your lifestyle or treatment long before they have a chance to become a bigger problem.

Getting your numbers checked

You don’t need to wait for a specific awareness week to get your blood pressure measured, but it’s a good excuse if you’ve been putting it off. Whether your reading turns out to be perfectly normal or something worth keeping an eye on, having that information puts you back in control of your own health.

At EssexPrivateGP, our health checks are designed to give you a clear picture of your overall health, not just your blood pressure. We’ll check your numbers, talk you through exactly what they mean, and help you understand what steps, if any, are worth taking to look after your heart health for the long term.

Book a Well Person Health Check today.

Holidays are something many of us look forward to all year. Whether you’re heading abroad for some sunshine or planning a staycation closer to home, a change of scenery should be a chance to relax and unwind. If you live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), though, travelling can sometimes bring a few challenges.

Changes to your routine, different foods, long journeys, and even the excitement of going away, can all affect your digestive system. For women going through perimenopause or menopause, hormonal changes may make symptoms such as bloating and abdominal discomfort feel even more noticeable.

If you’re worried about traveling with IBS, below we’ll explore why problems can occur and how you can prevent or manage them.

Why travel can trigger IBS symptoms

IBS affects everyone differently, but many people find that changes to their normal routine can upset the balance of their digestive system. Travelling often means eating at different times, trying unfamiliar foods, spending long periods sitting down, or coping with the stress of airports and delayed journeys. Even positive excitement can have an impact on the gut.

You may notice symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation becoming more frequent while you’re away. Dehydration, which is more common during hot weather or long flights, can also make bowel symptoms worse.

For women going through perimenopause or menopause, IBS symptoms often worsen. Many women find (and research has shown) that hormone therapy (HRT) can positively impact your gut microbiome, which in turn may help improve symptoms. If you would like to discuss your options, or if you’d like a treatment review, our team of menopause specialists are here to help guide you.

Preparing ahead of your trip

A little preparation before you travel can often make a big difference once your holiday begins. If you know certain foods trigger your symptoms, it may help to plan ahead by checking restaurant menus online in advance, or packing suitable snacks for longer trips.

There is a Flush Toilet Finder App, which can help with finding local public toilets if needed.

Staying hydrated is equally important, particularly if you’re travelling somewhere warm. Drinking bottled water regularly throughout the day and sticking to your usual diet as much as possible, especially when it comes to caffeine and alcohol-consumption, can help support normal digestion.

Guts UK offers useful guidance on IBS dietary management here – https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/.

If you’re taking medication for IBS, make sure you have enough for your entire trip, along with a little extra in case of unexpected delays. Also, packing some diarrhoea relief medication, paracetamol and anti-reflux medication can be reassuring, even if you don’t end up needing it. Allow yourself time to adjust and to relax, rather than trying to fit too much into the first few days.

If IBS is affecting your confidence when travelling, or you’ve noticed symptoms that are new, or have changed or worsened, EssexPrivateGP is here to help. Book a consultation today and receive personalised advice to help you feel more comfortable.

Alcohol Awareness Week (6–12 July) is a good opportunity to think about how alcohol affects our health. Most of us know that drinking too much can be harmful over time, but many women are surprised to learn that alcohol can also have an impact on hormones, sleep, and the way they experience perimenopause and menopause.

That doesn’t mean you need to stop drinking altogether. For many women, it’s simply about understanding how alcohol affects the body and recognising when it could be making certain symptoms feel worse than they need to.

At EssexPrivateGP, we often speak to women who have noticed that they’re not sleeping well, feeling more anxious, or struggling with more frequent hot flushes than they used to. According to a 2024 UK survey by Newson Health, one in three women report drinking more alcohol during perimenopause or menopause, with almost a third saying they drink specifically to try to ease their symptoms. However, alcohol can sometimes make those symptoms more noticeable.

How alcohol can affect hormones

During perimenopause and menopause, hormone levels naturally begin to change. As oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate and gradually decline, it’s common to experience symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, and irregular periods.

Alcohol can add to these changes. It can influence oestrogen levels and the way the body processes hormones, which means some women find their menopausal symptoms become more noticeable after drinking. You may notice that a hot flush feels more intense after a glass of wine, or that you wake feeling more anxious or irritable the following morning.

While some women notice very little difference, others find that even a small amount of alcohol seems to trigger symptoms they hadn’t experienced before. That’s why it’s worth paying attention to how your own body responds rather than assuming every experience will be the same.

There’s also a physical, longer-term picture worth knowing about. Research published in the British Journal of Cancer has examined how alcohol consumption relates to oestrogen metabolite levels in postmenopausal women. This is part of a wider body of evidence showing a dose-related relationship between alcohol and breast cancer risk that starts even at modest intake levels. It’s a good reminder that alcohol’s effects on hormones can matter for longer-term health too.

Small changes that can help

If you’d like to explore whether cutting back could ease your symptoms, you don’t need a dramatic overhaul – for most women, it’s about small, sustainable adjustments rather than an all-or-nothing approach. A few simple habits can make a noticeable difference:

• Build in alcohol-free days each week rather than drinking a little every day
• Track your units – Drinkaware’s unit calculator makes this easy, and many women are surprised by the total
• Notice your triggers – stress, poor sleep, and social occasions are common ones, so having a plan (or a go-to alternative drink) can help

Many women also notice better sleep after lowering their alcohol intake for a few weeks. They often notice they’re sleeping more deeply, waking with more energy, and feeling better able to cope with the day ahead.

If you’re finding it hard to cut down, or alcohol feels like it’s become harder to control than you’d like, NHS provides this support information – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/ including the National Drinkline number (0300 123 1110), and it’s something you can also raise with us in confidence.

Support with menopause symptoms

If you’ve noticed that your sleep has changed, your hot flushes seem worse, or your energy levels aren’t what they used to be, alcohol may be partially to blame. Hormonal changes, stress, thyroid problems, and other medical conditions can also cause similar symptoms.

To discover the cause of your symptoms we offer menopause consultations. We’ll talk through your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and any concerns you have before discussing the most appropriate next steps. Book a menopause consultation at the EssexPrivateGP to receive personalised advice and support.

Earlier this year, a condition affecting 1 in 8 women worldwide got a new name, and it’s one that finally reflects the reality of living with it. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS, replaces the term Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) following a 14-year global collaboration between clinicians, researchers and thousands of women with lived experience.

If you’ve been navigating unexplained symptoms, such as irregular periods, persistent fatigue, low mood, weight changes or unwanted hair growth, this change matters for you.

Why was PCOS renamed to PMOS?

The old name did women a disservice. For too long, the name reduced a complex, long-term hormonal disorder to a misunderstanding about ‘cysts’ and a focus on ovaries – contributing to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment. In reality, many women with the condition don’t have ovarian cysts at all. The new name shifts attention to the hormonal and metabolic complexity at the heart of the condition.

PMOS is characterised by fluctuations in hormones, with impacts on weight, metabolic and mental health, skin, and the reproductive system. This broader framing validates what so many women have experienced: a condition that touches every aspect of their health, often for years before diagnosis.

The symptoms of PMOS

PMOS presents differently in each person, which is part of what makes it so difficult to pin down. Symptoms usually start in adolescence, although some women do not develop them until later in life, and many do not recognise early symptoms as part of an underlying condition.

Common signs include irregular or absent periods, difficulty conceiving, unexplained weight changes, acne, excess facial or body hair (hirsutism), fatigue and low mood. The condition carries long-term health implications, with those affected at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and endometrial cancer.

Not just a reproductive condition

One of the most significant shifts the new name brings is an acknowledgement that PMOS is not primarily a fertility problem. It is a systemic hormonal and metabolic condition. The mental health burden alone is considerable — anxiety, depression and disordered eating are all significantly more prevalent in women with PMOS than in the general population.

This sits alongside the broader conversation about women’s hormonal health that we began in our blog on endometriosis. Just as endometriosis is frequently dismissed or delayed in diagnosis, PMOS has long suffered from the same systemic blind spots. Both conditions remind us that women’s hormonal health deserves to be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and treated with care.

Support and resources

Verity, the UK’s leading PMOS charity, offers evidence-based information, community support and guidance on managing the condition. There’s a dedicated PMOS name change resource page.

The full announcement from the Endocrine Society, including details of the international research process behind the renaming, can be read here.

At EssexPrivateGP, we support women with their hormonal health and offer tailored assessments for women experiencing symptoms that may point to PMOS or other hormonal conditions.

If you’ve been putting off that conversation or feel your symptoms haven’t been properly explored, book a confidential appointment with EssexPrivateGP today.