We specialise in expert menopause care. As you navigate through this significant phase of life, understanding menopause is crucial.
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It typically occurs around the age of 45 to 55, although the timing can vary for each individual. Perimenopause is the transitional time before menopause. During this time, hormone levels, particularly oestrogen fluctuate irregularly. This time may last from around 4 to 8 years.
Women can also experience menopausal symptoms during and following cancer treatment. Conditions such as premature ovarian failure or insufficiency and surgical menopause, which can impact women at a much younger age.
Our team of experts have a wealth of experience in providing holistic and evidenced based care to women, whatever their menopause journey.
During menopause, a woman's body experiences hormonal shifts, particularly a decline in oestrogen and progesterone hormones. These hormonal changes can lead to a variety of symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
Menopause symptoms can vary widely in severity and duration. While some women may experience mild symptoms, others may find them disruptive to their daily lives. Common symptoms include irregular periods, sleep disturbances, fatigue, weight gain and changes in mood and libido.
Beyond its impact on daily life, menopause can also affect a woman's long-term health. Oestrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density, heart health, and cognitive function. As oestrogen levels decline during menopause, women may face an increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and cognitive decline. (Weight gain??)
Menopause is not only a physical transition but also an emotional one. Women may experience feelings of stress, anxiety or depression. Managing stress, seeking support from loved ones, and prioritising self-care can all contribute to maintaining emotional well-being during menopause.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect you may be entering menopause, it’s essential to seek guidance from a healthcare provider specialising in menopause care. We can help confirm your diagnosis, evaluate your symptoms, and recommend personalised treatment options to help manage your symptoms and support your overall health and well-being.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on symptom management, exploring hormone therapy options, or simply looking for reliable information about the menopause, we are here to help.
At The York Clinic, we understand the complexities of menopause and are dedicated to providing comprehensive care, tailored to each individual’s needs. Our team of experts specialise in helping women navigate through this transition with knowledge, compassion and support.
Explore our website to learn more about our services, meet our team of specialists and access resources to support you on your menopause journey. We’re committed to empowering women to embrace menopause as a natural and transformative phase of life, helping them thrive and flourish in the years ahead.
Flexible appointments with experienced clinicians.
Medication delivered to you, or to a pharmacy of your choice.
Reduced stress – we will reorder you medication for you.
Guaranteed supply – with supply problems with HRT still affecting many parts of the world, we will guarantee to supply your medication when using our pharmacy delivery partner.
Flexible one-off consultations with outcomes and advice sent to your NHS GP. Initial consultation to understand the issues you are facing, with follow up as requested by you.
Ongoing care: consultations, medication, advice and support, and follow-up. We can provide everything you need to get you feeling well and support you.
With a member of our specialist team you will be given the time to discuss your symptoms and develop a personalised management plan based on your individual needs. You will receive expert care from our team, trained to an advanced level of menopause care with the British Menopause Society.
We offer blood tests through our pathology partner, with a network of testing sites throughout the UK. We can also refer you to other specialist services throughout the UK should that be needed.
We provide follow-up appointments and ongoing support, which include an assured supply of medication posted directly to your door. We can provide any HRT licensed in the UK, including testosterone, if deemed appropriate.
We can continue to provide support for as long as you need. Requirements can change. We believe in tailoring the care provide to best support the individual.
We will strive to answer all of your questions during your consultation. We recognise that it can be a lot to take in and questions may arise afterwards. We will provide you with a summary of the consultation and our treatment recommendations. It may also be worth viewing our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section to see if this provides information regarding your query.
If you require further assistance we are happy to provide email support. We can provide one follow up email after each consultation, for additional emails after this there is a £29 charge per email. If deemed necessary, we may recommend a review appointment. We do not provide emergency care and it may take up to 48 hours for our clinicians to answer a query.
Testosterone is an important hormone for many women. Many women find that using testosterone can improve their libido as well as their mood, energy and concentration. Before trying testosterone, your clinician will start or review your hormone replacement therapy (HRT) first. It is important to optimise this treatment in the first instance, in order for testosterone treatment to work effectively.
If you take testosterone, you will usually need an initial blood test followed by regular blood tests to monitor the treatment efficacy and safety.
Body identical Hormones
HRT can come in many forms and there is a great deal of confusing and at times misleading information. The safest types of HRT are “body identical hormones” which means that they are the same structure as the hormones you naturally produce in your body.
Body identical hormones are oestradiol and micronised progesterone (if a progestogen is required) and if it is needed, testosterone too. These hormonal medications have been rigorously tested and are deemed safe and trusted to use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Bioidentical Hormones
Private clinics and companies have started marketing unregulated hormones under the title ‘Bioidentical Hormones’. These hormones are targeted to women described as individualised treatment which are ‘customised’ and ‘natural”. They are completely different to body identical hormones and are NOT regulated or subject to any quality control.
There is no good quality evidence to support the use of these hormones and they are not recommended by the British Menopause Society. In addition, they have not been subjected to the same tests of safety, efficacy, or dosing consistency as the type of HRT that requires a prescription, including body identical hormones.
We do not prescribe women compounded bioidentical HRT at the York Clinic.
High dose oestrogen – The York Clinic will not exceed the licensed dose limits of oestrogen, set by the UK MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). Prescribing safety is paramount. At present, there is not enough evidence to know if doses exceeding these limits are safe. There is emerging evidence that high dose oestrogen can paradoxically make menopausal symptoms worse. We will change this position if scientific evidence shows it is safe to provide high dose oestrogen, but until that time we will not prescribe this
Blood Tests
Although blood tests are typically not essential for diagnosing perimenopause and menopause in the majority of women, hormone levels in your blood may be assessed to exclude other common causes of symptoms and inform treatment decisions.
If you have already started HRT, we may arrange a blood test if your symptoms are not well controlled. We may need to monitor treatment.
Blood tests may serve as a useful means to screen for other conditions that may mimic or exacerbate menopausal symptoms, aiding us in offering guidance for optimising your future health
