The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman’s oestrogen levels decline. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51. The perimenopausal stage normally lasts for a few years leading up to this.
You are thought to be “post-menopausal” when you have had a year since your last period. (But you are only able to know this if you are not on any hormones or contraception that may affect your periods). Symptoms may include some or all of the below and can be intermittent initially
- Hot flushes / night sweats
- Anxiety
- Mood changes / irritability / tearfulness
- Forgetfulness / poor sleep
- Brain fog
- Skin dryness/ crawling sensation
- Joint aches
- Poor or no libido / Vaginal dryness
- Urine infections / Urinary incontinence
- Hair loss
Book an appointment
Please complete and return menopause/HRT questionnaire (word document) prior to your appointment. This can be returned via attachment to an eConsult or the practices email, smh.mc@nhs.net.
Please also bring to your appointment a up to date blood pressure reading from a home machine, the pharmacy or the machine in the GP surgery waiting room, along with an up to date weight measurement.
Book a face to face or phone appointment with one of the following doctors if your consultation is specifcally regarding menopause. If your usual doctor is listed her, we would strongly encourage you book with them.
Shelley Manor Medical Centre
- Dr Sarah Cadwallader
- Dr Sian Evans
- Dr Luke Smith
Holdenhurst Medical Centre
- Dr Steph Treadwell
- Dr Cat Thompson
- Dr Ioan Edwards
- Dr Rayhaneh Zahedi
Group consultations
We regularly run group consultations to discuss menopause in more detail. This involves small groups of around 10 patients with a doctor and nurse.
“Some advantages for patients is that this type of consultation offers longer sessions with a range of multi-disciplinary clinicians, alongside peer support from people with similar conditions. The outcomes for patients can include a greater ability for self-management, increased health literacy and more attention to the psychological issues that can arise from their condition” RCGP Oct 21
If you are interested in attending one of these, please register your interest with your practice via the usual contact methods (Please note that spaces are limited)
Phone
Shelley Manor Medical Centre 01202 309 421 or Holdenhurst Medical Centre 01202 587 111
Email
smh.mc@nhs.net