Menopause
HRT benefits versus risks – an individual’s choice!
When I ask women about their main concern regarding using HRT, they invariably will say they worry about the risk of breast cancer. So, I feel it is really important for women to understand the true risks involved so they…
Menopause Assessment Tool
We all know that getting a GP appointment can be difficult, so if you are making an appointment to speak to your doctor about your menopause symptoms, you really want to make the most of it! Today I had the…
Blood tests and the menopause
I regularly see women in my clinic asking for a ‘menopause test’. Or, even worse, women who have had a test and told they can’t possibly be menopausal because their blood tests are normal. For most women, menopause occurs after…
I’m using vaginal oestrogen – does it have the same risks as HRT?
I often meet women in my clinic who have been prescribed vaginal oestrogen, either in the form of a vaginal tablet or cream, but are not actually using it because they are worried after reading the patient information leaflet contained…
I’ve developed an irregular bleeding pattern on cyclical HRT. What should I do?
If you are taking a cyclical form of HRT you should expect to bleed on a regular basis, usually at the end or just after you complete the estrogen+progestogen phase of your HRT (you may notice some irregular bleeding in…
I’m in my late 40s and have the coil – how do I know if I’m going through the menopause?
For most women, cessation of periods is the marker we use to define the menopause – 12 months after the last period to be exact. However, if you’ve got the Mirena coil and it has stopped your periods (hurrah!!) then…
Can HRT help protect my heart?
It is well known that HRT is an effective treatment for symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, joint pains and even mood changes. But a lot of women don’t realise that it may have other benefits beyond these…
I’m menopausal but don’t feel I need HRT – should I be taking anything else?
Although all women will, at some stage, go through the menopause, not everyone will suffer from debilitating symptoms that require medical treatment. For those women who don’t require HRT, or those who choose not to take it, there are numerous…
I’m menopausal and have joint pains – what can I do to help?
Joint and muscle pains are symptoms that are commonly reported by women who are peri- and post-menopausal. Estrogen has been shown to have a role in maintaining the strength of the tissues that make up our musculo-skeletal system – the…
I’m menopausal and suffering from a horrific creepy crawling feeling over my whole body. Are there any suggestions to help?
This unfortunate condition is known as formication (from the latin word ‘formica‘ meaning ‘relating to ants’). It is a type of paraesthesia which gives the sensation of insects crawling under the skin. Formication can occur for different reasons. It can…