Your first consultation can last up to 45 minutes, with follow-up consultations lasting up to 25 minutes. This usually provides sufficient time for women to explain their situation and be given individual, specialist advice and choices regarding their treatment options.
Testosterone is an important hormone for many women, particularly during and after the menopause. Some women find that testosterone therapy can help improve libido, as well as boost mood, energy levels, and concentration.
Before considering testosterone, your clinician will first review or initiate hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It’s important to optimise oestrogen and progesterone treatment initially, as this provides the foundation for testosterone to work effectively.
If testosterone is prescribed, you will typically need an initial blood test, followed by regular monitoring to ensure the treatment is both safe and effective. These tests help guide dosing and track your response over time.
While blood tests are not usually necessary to diagnose perimenopause or menopause in most women, they can be helpful in certain situations. Hormone levels may be assessed to rule out other potential causes of symptoms and to help guide individualised treatment decisions.
If you have already started HRT and your symptoms are not well controlled, we may arrange blood tests to help monitor your response to treatment and adjust your plan as needed.
Blood tests can also be useful for screening for other health conditions that may mimic or worsen menopausal symptoms. This broader view allows us to offer comprehensive guidance to support your long-term wellbeing.
All blood tests are carried out by Nationwide Pathology, a trusted laboratory partner. Once your results are available, they will be reviewed by one of our clinicians, who will provide clear, personalised comments. You will then receive an email prompt to log in and view both your results and the clinician’s feedback securely.
The terms body identical and bioidentical are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing, but they are not the same.
Body identical hormones refer to regulated, standardised hormone preparations that have the same molecular structure as the hormones naturally produced by the body. These include oestradiol, micronised progesterone (if a progestogen is required), and testosterone when indicated. These are the hormones we use in our clinic. They are available on the NHS and are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and supported by the British Menopause Society.
In contrast, bioidentical hormones may also have the same molecular structure, but the term is often used to describe compounded preparations made by private clinics. These are not subject to the same regulatory oversight, and their safety and efficacy may not be supported by robust clinical evidence.
This distinction is important, as compounded bioidentical hormones do not carry the same level of safety assurance as regulated body identical treatments.
At The York Clinic, we are committed to providing safe, evidence-based menopause care that aligns with national guidelines and best clinical practice. For this reason, we do not routinely prescribe high-dose oestrogen.
Higher-than-recommended doses of oestrogen can carry increased risks, including potential effects on the womb lining (endometrium), blood clotting, and breast tissue. Our approach follows dosing guidance from trusted authorities such as the British Menopause Society (BMS) and NICE, which are based on high-quality clinical evidence and prioritise patient safety.
There is currently no strong evidence to support the routine use of high-dose oestrogen for managing menopausal symptoms. Most women experience significant improvement with standard doses of body identical HRT, which are both effective and well-researched.
Our goal is not only to relieve your symptoms, but also to protect your long-term health, including heart, bone, and breast health. If you’ve been offered high-dose oestrogen elsewhere or feel your current treatment isn’t working, we’re happy to review your options and offer safe, personalised alternatives.
Yes, we provide care tailored to complex cases including women with a history of breast cancer, early menopause, or contraindications to standard HRT. We’ll work with you—and where needed, in coordination with your specialist team—to find the safest options.
