Menopause Clinic
Pharmacy+Health are delighted to launch a new Menopause Clinic, to improve health outcomes for all women. Provided by a leading Independent Pharmacist Prescriber, specialising in women’s health, we provide a safe space for women to discuss their menopause with her and explore treatment options.
- Relaxed, confidential menopause consultations at our Springs Lane Ilkley branch
- Delivered in person, by our menopause specialist partner
- Explore your symptoms, concerns and treatment options** with a dedicated 30-minute appointment
- Initial consultation from £100*
Affordable, accessible menopause treatment for every woman
Book an appointment today at our Springs Lane branch to meet with our healthcare professional
*excludes the cost of any supplied medication or blood tests if required
**subject to the clinical consultation your healthcare professional may or may not, supply a prescription.
What is Menopause
Menopause is not a disease. Every woman’s journey is different and personal. It is a transition that calls for an honest open conversation, free from any taboo or preconceptions, whilst recognising its significance and the diverse experience that women have around the globe.
Menopause is a natural biological stage, it marks the end of a woman’s menstrual (period) cycle, which is characterised by the decline of ovarian reproductive capacity. As a woman gets closer to menopause her ovaries which produce hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, begin to produce fewer hormones. This results in a variety of physical changes that usually take years to manifest.
Female Menopause is a normal part of ageing, although some surgical procedures can cause it to happen. Treatments like radiation or chemotherapy, as well as surgical procedures like a partial or total hysterectomy, which involve the removal of ovaries and uterus can damage the ovaries and cause medically-induced menopause.
Understanding the Stages of Menopause
We don’t talk about womens’ menopause enough, and as a result, many of us are left in the dark when our body starts to behave in unfamiliar ways. There are three main phases of the process – Perimenopause, Menopause and Post-Menopause. There is also an additional stage, Early onset of menopause known as Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.
Perimenopause and Menopause typically begin in your mid to late 40s. It is one of the most significant transitions you will encounter in life, one whereby your body starts undergoing natural and normal changes, preparing you for the post-reproductive phase of life.
However, menopause onset can vary. In some cases, it may start earlier due to factors such as genetics, cancer treatments, surgical removal of the ovaries, auto-immune disorders, or premature ovarian failure. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to identify and understand your symptoms and allow you to access the best treatment.
Perimenopause
Peri-menopause is the run-up to menopause, it often begins in the mid-to-late forties and is characterised by a decrease in hormone levels and slowing of ovarian production. As a result, some women experience irregular, unexpected and frequently uncomfortable periods – even more than they would during a regular cycle. Because the symptoms of perimenopause are so subtle, some women may not even be aware that they are going through this phase. This early menopause symptoms phase can last up to ten years and cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.
Menopause
When a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months or longer without clear medical or physiological reasons, she is classed as menopausal. By the age of 55, the majority of women in the UK will have gone through menopause, this will differ based on race.
Menopause age for women is usually between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.
Post-Menopause
Also known as Post-Menopause, a period-free life. While it sounds wonderful, it represents a time when you are more vulnerable to long-term health issues including diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Menopause Symptoms
Physical menopause symptoms:
- Heart palpatations
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling tired or lack of energy
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Headaches and migraines
- Irregular periods and tender breasts
- Hair loss and thinning
- Changes to taste and smell
- Bowel symptoms
- Dry eyes
- Muscle and joint paints
- Urinary frequency and infections
- Vaginal dryness and soreness
- Weight gain
- Breathing difficulties
Psychological menopause symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Depression
- Brain fog
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Loss of libido
- Loss of interest in sex
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) ?
During perimenopause and menopause, women experience fluctuating levels of hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. HRT works to restore hormonal balance by replenishing or maintaining these levels in the body. This not only eases symptoms but also provides a range of short- and long-term health benefits.
Menopause symptoms can significantly impact daily life, with some women experiencing severe discomfort. Many of these symptoms can be effectively managed with HRT, helping to improve overall quality of life.
- Localised Treatment: There are treatments specifically targeting the vagina to alleviate symptoms, in addition to gels, pills or patches that replenish hormones throughout the body. A targeted approach is beneficial for recurring urinary tract infections, painful intercourse, dryness, itching and soreness. Women who are unable or unwilling to take body-identical hormones can use vaginal oestrogen, as the hormone does not enter the rest of the body.
- Long-Term Health: Women are at risk of a range of health issues following menopause. The risk of cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop, there is a chance of osteoporosis and fractures due to decreased bone density. There is a change in metabolism, increasing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and weight gain. HRT may help with all of these long-term conditions.
While HRT offers many benefits, it is important to understand the potential risks. These will be discussed thoroughly during your consultation, ensuring that you can make an informed decision tailored to your health needs.
Book an appointment today
This service is available only at our Springs Lane branch in Ilkley.
Simply click the above link, choose the service type and then the date/time that is convenient for you. It couldn’t be simpler!
PLEASE NOTE – in accordance with our terms & conditions:
The Menopause Clinic, booked via this website or within Pharmacy+Health branches is a Third-Party Expert-Partner Clinical Service provided by an accredited third-party clinical service provider.
The booking and provision of a health consultation does guarantee that prescription only medicines will be offered or supplied.
That the healthcare professional will make the diagnosis.
Any diagnosis made and advice or treatment given by the healthcare professional is their considered decision at that moment in time. Subsequent new symptoms or worsening health changes do not constitute negligence on the part of the healthcare professional carrying out the health consultation.
Prescription only medicines prescribed and supplied may have side effects. The healthcare professional has no control and can not be held liable for any side effects or adverse reactions which you may experience.
Your health consultation will be provided by an appropriate and qualified healthcare professional. Subject to the service you book this will either be a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber acting within the scope of their clinical practice or a Pharmacist under a Patient Group Direction framework.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Menopause is when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops, you no longer have a period. The amount of female hormones produced by our ovaries will drop sharply as we age, eventually, our ovaries will no longer release eggs, our periods will stop and we are not able to conceive naturally.
Around 85% of women will experience symptoms as a result of their hormones shifting. The type and intensity of these symptoms can differ. There are 34 commonly recognised symptoms, others are less common. Scientific studies have shown that the brain, stomach and skin are among the most affected areas. Changes in mood, increase in worry, thoughts of rage or tears might be among the most problematic. Some women have problems falling asleep, hot flushes and night sweats. Other symptoms include joint pain, foggy brain, itchy skin and palpitations in the heart.
Menopause is indeed a significant and dynamic phase in a woman’s life, marked by various stages and a range of symptoms. It’s divided into three key stages: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
Perimenopause: This is the initial stage, typically starting in the mid-to-late 40s. It’s a time when the ovaries gradually decrease hormone production, and estrogen levels begin to dip. Perimenopause can extend up to 10 years and brings a wide array of symptoms like mood swings, headaches, hot flushes, and vaginal dryness.
Menopause: This stage is defined as the point that marks one year after a woman’s last menstrual period. Research suggests that the menopausal transition usually begins between ages 45 and 55 and can last around seven years, though it may extend up to 14 years. Factors like smoking, the age at onset, and racial and ethnic backgrounds can influence this duration.
Everything after: This is the phase following menopause, which, alongside perimenopause, constitutes the longer duration of the menopause experience.
Examining subtle changes in your body and menstrual cycle over time is one way of determining if you are approaching menopause or not. Menopause is a gradual process and is officially when you have NOT had a period for 12 consecutive months, in the absence of pregnancy or other health issues. Above all, it’s common and affects all women.
During the first phase of this shift, called perimenopause, you may experience mild alterations that start in your late 30’s or early 40’s, or sometimes later. Early warning signs include changes to the menstrual cycle – shorter cycles and changes in mood or memory, such as trouble speaking or persistent PMS symptoms.
Menopause is typically diagnosed based on the symptoms you’re experiencing. Common signs include changes in period frequency and flow. If you notice these changes or other symptoms associated with menopause, make an appointment with our menopausal practitioner.
They can offer you more insight into your health and confirm whether you’re entering the menopausal stage. This can help you understand your experiences and decide if it’s time to seek professional advice.
While blood tests aren’t necessary to confirm you’re in perimenopause, they can be useful. Naila might refer you for specific tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms, such as thyroid hormone imbalances. Additionally, if your menstrual period becomes heavier, tests like iron level and full blood count may be advised.
It’s crucial to monitor your menopause treatment and progress, which is why we recommend:
- Initial consultation
- First Review – at 3 months later
- Follow-ups – at 6-month intervals
- Annual Review
The regular check-in helps us monitor how you’re doing and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan — mostly because HRT often takes around 3 months to start working.
After this initial phase, we recommend settling into a yearly consultation. These annual check-ups are essential to ensure that your menopause care remains successful and to address any new concerns or changes.
Of course, you are always welcome to schedule an appointment if you feel the need for one earlier than planned. We are available to assist you as you navigate the menopause.
In most cases, you won’t need a blood test for us to determine if you’re in perimenopause or menopause. Symptoms are frequently used to diagnose these stages rather than results from a blood test.
If you’re young and are showing signs of menopause, we may recommend a blood test. This is to confirm the diagnosis and ensure that your symptoms are not caused by anything else. Additionally, if we’re trying to get a better understanding of how your body is absorbing treatment or deciding on the best treatment approach, a blood test might come into play.
Yes. The average age of menopause in the UK is 51. However, for 1 in 20 women this will happen before the age of 45, known as early menopause. 1 in 100 will go through menopause before the age of 40 and 1 in 1000 before the age of 30. This is known as premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
Women should have the opportunity to talk about HRT for the protection of their long-term health. It is well known that women who experience any form of early menopause are more susceptible to heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia and all causes of death. These risks can be prevented with appropriate treatment. Furthermore, women taking HRT up to the age of 51 do not have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is a condition that usually manifests before the age of 40. It is a condition in which the ovaries are not doing their regular function, in particular, two key events take place:
- The ovaries stop releasing eggs
- Hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone production start to fluctuate.
As a result, natural conception is difficult due to the irregular performance of the ovaries. Nonetheless, some people with POI can still have irregular periods, which could present a window of opportunity for getting pregnant.
POI is more common than you think. It occurs in 1 in every 100 women under the age of 40, 1 in 1,000 women under the age of 30 and 1 in 10,000 in their 20s. It affects approximately 5% of women before they reach the age of 45.