Perimenopause and menopause can be hard to live with. Brain fog, broken sleep, hot flushes and changes in mood can leave you feeling unlike yourself, often while life is at its busiest.
You don’t have to put up with symptoms that get in the way of your life. Our 6-month programme gives you time with a GP every month, so your care is planned around you rather than a single rushed appointment.
Understanding perimenopause and menopause
Menopause is when your periods stop because your body makes less of the hormone oestrogen. Perimenopause is the time leading up to it. Your periods may change, and symptoms often begin during this time. Everyone’s experience is different. Some women have few symptoms. Others find their symptoms affect their sleep, work, relationships and confidence. You don’t need a diagnosis to book. If something has changed and you want to understand why, your GP can help.
How the programme works
- A detailed look at your health: your GP reviews your symptoms, your history and your blood tests.
- Your treatment options: your GP talks you through all your options, including prescribed treatment where it may help, with the benefits and risks of each, so you can decide together.
- Lifestyle support: practical advice on food, sleep, weight and movement that fits your life.
- Time to talk: unhurried appointments to talk through every concern, including how you are feeling.
What is included
- A 45-minute appointment with a GP every month for 6 months, in person at our clinic
- A review of your blood test results with your GP
- Your plan adjusted as you go, if it needs to be
- Your own printed plan book at month 6, with your food, movement and lifestyle plan for the years ahead
Your 6 months
- Month 1 (45 minutes): your GP goes through your blood test results, maps your symptoms with you and agrees your plan, including any treatment that is right for you.
- Month 2 (45 minutes): sleep and stress, including broken sleep and ways to wind down in the evening.
- Month 3 (45 minutes): food and nutrition, your metabolic health and weight changes in midlife.
- Month 4 (45 minutes): movement and strength. Your GP helps you plan exercise you enjoy that is kind to your joints. Strength and weight-bearing exercise helps keep your bones and muscles strong.
- Month 5 (45 minutes): your GP reviews follow-up blood tests, including your hormone levels, and how your symptoms are, such as sleep, mood, concentration and sex drive, and adjusts your plan if needed.
- Month 6 (45 minutes): looking ahead. Your GP reviews your progress with you and gives you your printed plan book.
The blood tests
You need blood tests before your first appointment. You can have them at your NHS GP, or we can arrange them for you. If we arrange them, they are priced separately and we tell you the cost first. Your GP explains every result to you. The tests are:
- Full blood count (FBC)
- Kidney function (U&Es)
- Liver function tests (LFTs)
- Cholesterol and other blood fats (lipid profile)
- HbA1c (average blood sugar)
- Thyroid function (TSH and free T4)
- Ferritin and iron studies
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12 and folate
- FSH and LH
- Oestradiol
- Total and free testosterone
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
You may also find our article on menopause and weight gain helpful.
