Private Menopause Clinic near Manchester

The menopause journey is marked by three distinct stages that affect women differently. During perimenopause, which usually begins in your mid-40s, periods become irregular as hormone levels fluctuate. This phase can last 4-10 years, with early symptoms including sleep changes, anxiety, and fatigue. For some women, it starts before age 40 (affecting 1 in 100 women), and in rare cases, before age 30 (affecting more than 1 in 1000 women). Many women choose to start HRT during this transitional phase.

Menopause itself is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without periods, typically occurring around age 51, though timing varies significantly. At this point, the ovaries stop producing key hormones – oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Approximately 80% of women experience symptoms, with around 34 recognised symptoms that may last months or years. Without appropriate treatment, these symptoms can significantly impact quality of life.

The post-menopausal phase continues for the rest of a woman’s life. Currently, about 75% of women in the UK live with untreated low hormone levels, which can increase risks of several health conditions. These include osteoporosis (bone weakening), cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and dementia.

For optimal health during post-menopause, maintaining a balanced lifestyle is crucial. This includes regular exercise combining aerobic, weight-bearing and strength training, alongside maintaining good sleep patterns and a balanced diet. Managing stress levels and limiting smoking and alcohol are also important. When suitable, appropriate hormone therapy can help maintain quality of life and protect long-term health.

Each woman’s experience is unique, with symptoms varying in type and severity. Early recognition and appropriate management through personalised treatment plans can significantly improve quality of life during this natural transition.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase before your periods stop completely. During this time, your periods may become irregular in terms of frequency, duration, or flow as your hormone levels begin to fluctuate. While it typically begins in your mid-40s and lasts 4-10 years, every woman’s experience is unique.

For some women, perimenopause starts earlier – about 1 in 100 women experience it before age 40, and more than 1 in 1000 women before age 30. Early symptoms often include changes to sleep patterns, increased anxiety, mood swings, and unusual fatigue. These symptoms can come and go as hormone levels fluctuate throughout this transition.

Many women choose to start Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) during perimenopause to manage symptoms – you don’t need to wait until your periods have completely stopped. The symptoms experienced during perimenopause are essentially the same as menopause symptoms because they’re all related to changing and declining hormone levels.

For optimal health during this transition, maintaining a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise, good sleep patterns, and stress management can help manage symptoms. Regular monitoring with a healthcare provider can help determine if additional support, such as HRT, might be beneficial for your specific situation.

Common symptoms include:

• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes and anxiety
• Memory and concentration issues
• Vaginal dryness and bladder changes
• Joint pain
• Changes in skin and hair
• Loss of libido

You can seek help at any stage – whether you’re experiencing early perimenopause symptoms or are postmenopausal. Early intervention often leads to better management of symptoms and long-term health.

We offer various options including:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in different forms (tablets, patches, gels)
• Lifestyle modifications
• Non-hormonal treatments

We’ll tailor your treatment plan to your personal needs and circumstances.

HRT is primarily prescribed to manage menopause symptoms, and improve quality of life. For most women experiencing symptoms, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks when started at an appropriate time.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your personal risk factors, family history, and lifestyle to help you make an informed decision as to whether or not HRT is right for you.

We provide comprehensive follow-up care including:

• Regular review consultations
• Blood test monitoring if needed
• Email support within 3 months of consultation
• Optional 15-minute video consultations for queries
• Annual reviews for long-term treatment

Without appropriate treatment, post-menopausal women may face increased risks of:

• Osteoporosis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Depression
• Dementia

Clinical evidence indicates that when used appropriately for symptom control, HRT can offer additional health benefits. For women experiencing menopause symptoms, especially those under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, the benefits of HRT typically outweigh the risks.