Every woman’s experience of the menopause is different. Women can experience a range of symptoms from uncomfortable to distressing, which can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing.
This time of hormonal change can be made more challenging when women do not receive the support and understanding they need from their doctor. Whatever your symptoms, we will listen to your concerns and can offer effective treatments.
Symptoms you may experience
Menopausal signs can vary in intensity and duration, and you may experience a combination.
When can I expect to experience menopausal changes?
Menopause is defined as the point when you have not had a period for one year or more. This occurs when the ovaries produce less of the hormone oestrogen which can affect the body in several ways.
It is a gradual process that usually happens over several years, but approximately occurs between 45 and 55 years, with the average age of 51 in the UK. Before this, women can experience perimenopause when periods become infrequent or erratic and the advent of menopausal symptoms.
What can you expect from your menopause consultation?
During your consultation, we will discuss the symptoms you’re experiencing with the aid of a Menopause questionnaire, and ask about your menstrual cycle which can help us to make a diagnosis of menopause or perimenopause. We can then discuss possible treatment options.
You may need just one consultation, although if you are experiencing more complex issues you may need more appointments. If you are on HRT, you should have an annual review with your NHS GP or with us.
Typically, we see patients for an initial consultation then a three-month follow-up, then every six months or yearly depending on the complexity of the patient.
Once HRT treatment established, we can write to the patient’s NHS surgery if they wish to benefit from the HRT prescription prepayment certificate.
What treatments are available to women going through the menopause?
The mainstay is optimising hormone balance to optimise health. These usually include oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Making changes to diet, lifestyle and exercise are also very important along with the appropriate supplements. There are also non-hormonal options for those women who can’t or don’t want to take HRT such as red clover, sage and sea buckthorn oil.
Menopause treatments range from making lifestyle changes to improve your symptoms to medication, the main one being hormone replacement therapy – HRT. The right approach depends on your symptoms, age, health, and personal preferences.
| Menopause Consultation | £215 for up to 45mins |