Menopause is the point at which a woman’s periods stop permanently due to the ovaries producing gradually less oestrogen. In the UK, the average age is 51, though it can occur earlier or later. For women over 50, menopause is usually confirmed after twelve consecutive months without a period. For women under 50, menopause is typically confirmed after two years without a period.
The transition to menopause occurs in stages:
Menopause is a natural life stage, not a disease, but these hormonal changes can significantly affect quality of life, work, and relationships. Other situations can also bring on menopause, including surgical menopause (after removal of the ovaries), medical menopause (after certain treatments such as chemotherapy), and primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause). Each scenario can affect timing, symptoms, and management options.
Effective treatments exist to manage symptoms and support wellbeing at any stage, and personalised care can make a substantial difference.
Written by Dr Helen Bedford MBChB MRCGP, Clinical Lead, The York Clinic
Since opening, we have met many women with similar experiences. Many have struggled to find clear guidance, knowing something isn’t quite right but unsure where to turn. Some have received conflicting advice, or guidance that didn’t fully address their symptoms.
We often hear from women who feel their concerns have been overlooked, or whose previous treatments were not effective for them. Others have tried approaches that didn’t fully address their needs. At The York Clinic, we listen carefully, provide evidence-based advice, and work with you to find safe, effective treatments tailored to your situation.
At The York Clinic, we provide personalised assessment and treatment for all these symptoms, tailoring care to your unique experience.
The York Clinic is led by Dr Helen Bedford, a British Menopause Society-accredited GP with extensive experience in menopause medicine.
Our clinicians are all GMC-registered and trained in the latest NICE and BMS menopause guidelines. At The York Clinic, we provide the BMS Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care, helping other clinicians gain specialist knowledge and practical skills in menopause management.
We are privileged to also have Elizabeth Ludvigsen, BN Hons RN IP, an Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist and independent prescriber. Elizabeth has a background as a specialist breast cancer nurse in the NHS and brings expert knowledge of women’s health and menopause care.
All our clinicians continue to provide menopause services in the NHS locally through their GP practices, ensuring a strong link between private and public care.
Yes. The York Clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health services in England.
CQC registration demonstrates that we meet national standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality of care. It ensures that we have:
Choosing a CQC-registered clinic gives you confidence that the service is regulated, safe, and accountable.
Several factors set us apart from other private menopause services:
At The York Clinic, our focus is on safe, evidence-based, and personalised menopause care for every stage of the menopause journey.
NHS menopause services are limited in some areas, and not all GPs have the opportunity to specialise in menopause medicine. This can sometimes make it harder to access a detailed assessment, personalised treatment, or newer therapies.
The York Clinic provides specialist, evidence-based menopause care for women seeking focused consultation and tailored management. You always have the choice to share your treatment plan with your GP after your appointment if you wish.
Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, when hormone levels such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone begin to fluctuate. Symptoms can appear years before periods change, and the timing varies for each woman, typically beginning in the early to mid-40s, though it can start earlier or later.
Common signs of perimenopause include:
Many women are surprised to learn that these symptoms are hormone-related. If you are noticing changes in your 40s (or even earlier) that feel “off,” it may be a good reason to seek an assessment.
We provide a full range of menopause treatments, individually tailored to your needs. These include:
Every treatment plan is designed based on your symptoms, medical history, and personal preferences – we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Fezolinetant (brand name Veoza) is a non-hormonal prescription tablet approved in the UK for moderate to severe menopausal hot flushes.
It works by calming overactive nerve pathways in the brain that trigger hot flushes, rather than replacing hormones. This makes it a useful option for women who cannot or do not wish to take HRT.
Yes – we prescribe fezolinetant at The York Clinic as part of our personalised menopause care.
Yes – The York Clinic has specialist expertise in assessing and managing menopause in women with a history of breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers.
This is a complex area requiring careful, individualised assessment. We have extensive experience in this field and, where appropriate, work collaboratively with oncology teams to ensure safe and effective care.
Surgical menopause occurs when the ovaries are removed during surgery, causing an immediate drop in oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, rather than the gradual changes seen in natural menopause. This can lead to sudden and often severe symptoms affecting sleep, mood, libido, and overall wellbeing, which benefit from prompt specialist management.
Yes – The York Clinic provides care for women experiencing surgical menopause and has extensive experience supporting patients in this area
Body-identical HRT is the regulated, clinically approved form of hormone replacement therapy that is chemically identical to the hormones your body produces naturally. It is the gold standard for safe and effective treatment.
Bioidentical HRT is a term often used by private compounding pharmacies to describe unregulated, unlicensed hormone preparations. These products have not undergone the rigorous safety and efficacy testing required for licensed medicines.
Despite the appealing name, there is no scientific evidence that compounded bioidentical HRT is safer, more effective, or more “natural” than body-identical HRT. Both the British Menopause Society (BMS) and NICE advise against its use.
If you have been offered or recommended compounded bioidentical HRT, our advice is simple: ask why you are being offered something unregulated when a safer, clinically proven alternative exists. At The York Clinic, we do not, and will not, prescribe bioidentical HRT.
No – menopause and perimenopause are usually diagnosed based on your symptoms.
Sometimes blood tests can be helpful, particularly if:
Our clinicians will explain what tests, if any, are needed for your individual situation and how the results inform your personalised management plan.
Yes – you can have HRT while you are still having periods. Perimenopause is the phase when oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels fluctuate, and periods may still occur.
HRT can help stabilise these hormonal fluctuations, which often improves symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, mood changes, low libido, and fatigue.
We usually expect it to take up to 3 months for HRT to reach an optimal balance. Some symptoms may improve more quickly, and many women notice significant improvement within a few weeks.
Different body systems respond at different rates. Some effects, such as hot flushes and night sweats, may improve sooner, while improvements in sleep, mood, libido, or energy may take longer.
We usually advise giving it about 3 months to see how your body adapts and to discuss any adjustments with your clinician.
Yes – for most women, modern HRT is safe and effective.
The relationship between HRT and breast cancer risk is complex and depends on the type of HRT, duration of use, and individual risk factors.
Different forms of HRT carry different levels of risk, and the absolute increase for most women is small. Factors such as age, personal and family medical history, and lifestyle also influence risk.
We discuss this with every patient individually – so you can make a fully informed decision about your treatment.
HRT shortages have caused real challenges for women across the UK – in some cases leading to abrupt changes or interruptions in treatment.
At York Clinic, we advance-purchase medication stock for our patients – specifically to ensure that you never face a supply gap. Your continuity of treatment is guaranteed, giving you peace of mind and consistent symptom management.
All our prices are shown on our What We Provide and Prices page. Payment is taken at the time of booking.
We also offer a membership plan – giving you fast return access and ongoing support for a fixed monthly cost – so you don’t need to pay for each follow-up separately. Many women find the membership better value when considering ongoing care and continuity.
You can book directly at www.york-clinic.co.uk
If you’re unsure whether a consultation is right for you, you can book a free Discovery Call to discuss your symptoms and options first.
If you cannot find an appointment time that suits you, please email us at info@york-clinic.co.uk – we will do our best to arrange a time that fits around your schedule. We know life can be busy, and we aim to be as flexible as possible.
Yes – we offer consultations for women across the UK.
Our main clinic is in York, and many patients choose face-to-face appointments. However, if you are based elsewhere or prefer to consult from home, our appointments follow the same high clinical standards. Women from across the UK have successfully consulted with us.
Our membership gives you fast return access to the clinic and ongoing support without paying for each appointment separately.
It includes:
Many patients find the membership better value for ongoing care and continuity. Full details are available on our Membership page.
Yes – women travel to see us from Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London, and beyond.
We also offer consultations nationwide. Whether you are willing to travel to York or prefer to consult, we would be delighted to see you – no matter where you are based.
That depends on what works best for you.
There is no pressure either way. Our goal is to ensure you get the care that suits you best – whether that’s continuing with us or with your NHS team.
It’s completely understandable to feel worried about this – many women have heard this message before. Much of this concern comes from a study published in 2002, which was widely reported at the time and caused a lot of fear around HRT.
We now have much better, more up-to-date evidence. For most women, HRT is a safe and effective treatment when used appropriately. The risks are generally low, and whether HRT is right for you depends on your individual health and circumstances.
The most important thing is having a personalised discussion about your options. For many women, the benefits of HRT – including improved sleep, mood, and overall quality of life – can be significant.
Menopause is a natural stage of life – but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle through it.
Hormonal changes can affect many parts of your body, including your sleep, mood, memory, and physical health. For some women, symptoms are mild. For others, they can have a real impact on daily life, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
There are also longer-term health considerations, including bone strength, heart health, and healthy ageing. Supporting your hormones appropriately can play a role in protecting these over time, although this will vary from person to person.
Seeking support or treatment isn’t about being weak or “not coping” – it’s about understanding what’s happening in your body and making informed choices about your health, now and in the future. You deserve to feel well.
Hot flushes are one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause – but they are only part of the picture, and some women may never experience them at all.
Changing hormone levels can affect many areas of your body and mind. Women often experience symptoms such as anxiety, brain fog, poor sleep, low mood, joint aches, reduced confidence, memory changes, and changes in libido. These can sometimes be difficult to recognise as hormone-related, and many women are surprised to learn there may be a link.
HRT works by addressing the underlying hormonal changes – not just one symptom. For many women, this can lead to improvements across several areas of their health and wellbeing.
This is a very common source of confusion.
The term “bioidentical” is often used to describe hormone treatments made by compounding pharmacies. These products are usually unregulated and unlicensed, and they have not gone through the same safety and quality testing as standard prescribed HRT.
By contrast, body-identical HRT prescribed by regulated clinics is also chemically identical to the hormones your body naturally produces – but it is licensed, tested, and supported by a strong evidence base.
Despite how it sounds, “bioidentical” is not a recognised medical term in this context – and it does not mean safer or more effective. If you are unsure what you have been offered, it is always worth asking for clarification so you can make an informed choice.
You can stop HRT at any time – it is always your choice.
Some women use HRT for a few years to help manage symptoms during the menopause transition, then reduce or stop and feel well without it. Others choose to continue longer-term, particularly if they are benefiting from symptom control or support for bone health.
There is no fixed time limit for HRT. The decision about how long to continue is individual, and is made in partnership with your clinician, with regular review to make sure it remains the right option for you.
Every woman’s menopause is different – your experience may not be the same as your mother’s.
Genetics can play a role, but so do many other factors, including lifestyle, stress, overall health, and how your body responds to changing hormone levels. Some women have very few symptoms, while others find the impact significant.
Previous generations were often less likely to be offered treatment or to talk openly about menopause. This doesn’t mean support wasn’t needed – just that it wasn’t always available.
What matters most is how you feel. If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, it’s worth exploring your options and getting the support that’s right for you.
Weight changes around menopause are very common – but they are usually caused by hormonal changes, ageing, and lifestyle factors, not HRT.
In fact, evidence suggests that HRT can help support healthier fat distribution and reduce the tendency to gain weight around the abdomen that often comes with falling oestrogen. For many women, starting HRT can actually make it easier to maintain a healthy weight, rather than causing it to increase.
