Menopause clinic
Our experienced menopause doctors provide a comprehensive service with a monitored and bespoke treatment package. Treatment includes body identical (regulated Bioidentical) HRT, which matches the body’s hormones and provides bespoke replacement as well as conventional HRT and testosterone replacement. Face to face or virtual online appointments are available with female health doctors who have been trained to help patients with menopause.
Dr. Martina Toby
British Menopause Society Menopause Specialist & Trainer
MBCHb (Hon), MRCP, MRCGP, DFSRH, DTMH, DipGUM, DipHIV, PGAMedEd, Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care
What are the common symptoms of the menopause?
Some have very few or even no symptoms and their periods simply stop happening. However, for the majority of women it is not so straightforward and around 80% of all women experience several symptoms. The symptoms you may experience vary between different women. These symptoms often have a very negative impact on your life and can really affect your relationships with your partner, family and work colleagues.
Symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disruption, insomnia, exhaustion, mood swings, palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness, depression, anxiety, hair loss or thinning, vaginal dryness, bladder weakness, incontinence, urinary tract infections, lack of libido, change of body shape, dry eyes, dry mouth, memory loss, poor concentration, brain “fog”, aching joints and muscles, headaches and migraines.
Menopause and Perimenopause symptoms can include the following:
- mood swings
- lack of focus/foggy moments
- thinning hair and wrinkling skin
- unexplained weight gain
- hot flushes
- low sex drive
- migraines
- thyroid issues
- cholesterol disorders
- heart disease
- osteoporosis
- chronic fatigue/lack of energy
- fibromyalgia
- leaky bladder syndrome
- urinary tract infection
Appointment – £275 (plus associated menopause blood tests)
You may be concerned regarding the recent BBC One – Panorama programme on menopause treatment. We are a member of the British Menopause Society and we follow BMS guidance. Please see the British Menopause Society links below for further information:
Menopause FAQs
Both terms mean the same thing – that the hormone molecule is the same as the human hormone.
Bio-identical hormones are made from plant sources – usually yam. More recently body-identical is used to refer to bio-identical hormones which are licensed for prescription in the UK and available from local pharmacies. These are the ones usually prescribed by our clinic.
Symptoms of oestrogen deficiency such as hot flushes or night sweats will often improve within 72 hours. Other oestrogen deficiency symptoms such as mood changes and anxiety may take four weeks to improve.
Possible side effects may include nausea or vomiting, decreased appetite or swollen breasts. Patients on progesterone therapy may get unscheduled vaginal bleeding.
If symptoms return after time it is likely that hormone levels need re-balancing. A review appointment to discuss symptoms would be recommended.
The doctor will advise which HRT regime is recommended for you. As a general rule if you have not had a natural period for a year, you will be offered a no-bleed HRT (continuous combined), otherwise you will be offered a cyclical HRT where you will have a small monthly withdrawal bleed. Bleeding in the first six months of continuous combined HRT is not uncommon and will usually settle. Sometimes the dose of progesterone will need to be increased. Bleeding after the first six months should be considered abnormal and investigated further.
If you experience bleeding which is erratic, unscheduled or occurring after intercourse, this should be discussed with the doctor and investigated further.
Body-identical oestrogen is given transdermally as a patch or a gel. Patches should be applied twice weekly to clean, unbroken skin below the waistline.
Oestrogen gel should be applied once daily, usually in the morning, to clean, unbroken skin. The preferred site is the inner thigh.
No showering or swimming for two hours after applying the gel. You should not contact the application site to another person’s skin for two hours after applying the gel.
HRT is prescribed on private prescription and is available through any pharmacy. You will be charged the cost of the medication and a dispensing fee by the pharmacy.
It is our policy to offer three monthly review appointments to all patients on HRT. If you are using testosterone replacement, testosterone levels should be checked regularly.
Oestrogen is very important for the development of collagen, which is a supporting protein in the skin and provides strength and structure to the skin.
As oestrogen levels reduce during the menopause and perimenopause, your skin can become less mobile and thinner. The low oestrogen levels can result in there being less blood flowing to the epidermis (upper layer of your skin) and also more water loss from your skin leading to your skin becoming less hydrated. You may notice that your skin becomes more tired looking and develops more fine lines and wrinkles. The skin often becomes less elastic and looks less glowing as hormone levels decline.
Your skin can become drier and become itchy. This itchiness can occur during the day and night and be really troublesome. Some women notice abnormal sensations to their skin, such as numbness, tingling, prickling or a crawling sensation (called formication).
During the perimenopause and menopause, many women also experience acne and skin pigment changes.
Menopausal skin is more susceptible to UV damage causing deeper wrinkling and sun damage like age spots and lentigo, which are small brown spots on the skin.
The maintenance of melanocytes (cells that manufacture the pigment melanin) is under the control of oestrogen. The number of melanocytes in your skin reduces during the perimenopause and menopause. This results in there being less of the protective melanin and your skin can appear lighter. Menopausal skin is therefore more prone to sun damage.
In areas of the skin that have been exposed to UV rays over the years, melanin synthesis increases during the menopause. This can result in brown “age spots” appearing on your face, hands, neck, arms and chest.
It is really important to use a good moisturiser regularly to improve your skin’s hydration. Moisturisers smooth and protect the upper layers of your skin and can work to prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
It is essential that you use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 to protect against UVB rays and avoid sun damage. Sunscreen should be reapplied every few hours. You should also consider wearing a wide brimmed hat.
Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can improve skin hydration by replacing oestrogen levels in your body. Many women who take HRT often notice that their skin becomes brighter with an improved texture and tone. HRT can also reduce ageing of your skin. Your skin often looks firmer and plumper as the oestrogen works to strengthen the collagen and elastin fibres.
For the majority of women under 60 years of age, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
For specialist skin consultants who can provide expert treatments, visit www.surreyskincare.co.uk
Other Services
Clinic Locations
Rapid access, convenient and quick appointments.
West Byfleet Health Centre
2nd Floor
Madeira Road
West Byfleet
Surrey KT14 6DH
01932 344004
Private GP Clinic, Sunningdale, (Opposite Fego’s)
3 Broomfield Hall Buildings
London Road
Sunningdale
Ascot
Berks SL5 0DP
01344 624020
Private GP Clinic
1 Castlefield Road (Opposite Council Offices)
Reigate
Surrey RH2 0SA
01737 238688
Private GP Clinic
Wokingham
37 Peach Street
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1XJ
Menopause specialists Near me Woking, Guildford, West Byfleet, Longcross, Addlestone, Weybridge, Esher, Walton-on-Thames, Epsom, Ewell, West Ewell, Chertsey, Oxshot, East Horsley, Chobham, Cobham, Camberley, Egham, nearby Windsor, Ascot, Byfleet, Ripley, Send, Ottershaw, East Molesey, Bracknell, Ascot, Sunningdale, Wentworth, near by Camberley, Virginia Water, Windsor, Windlesham, Surrey, Berkshire, Esher, Reigate, Redhill, Reading.
