Menopause

 

What is Menopause?

Menopause is when menstruation ends due to the natural decline of oestrogen and progesterone and the cessation of ovarian function. It is diagnosed once a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period.  For women in the UK menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 or 55.

 

There are many physical symptoms that occur in the months or years leading up to menopause.  This is known as perimenopause. Typically, perimenopause begins about 5 years before menopause, but a small number of women experience symptoms for up to 10 years before.

 

Symptoms include:

  • irregular periods
  • hot flushes
  • night sweats
  • chills
  • disturbed sleep patterns
  • irritability and mood changes
  • depression and anxiety
  • short term memory loss
  • reduced sex drive
  • vaginal dryness
  • weight gain
  • thinning hair and dry skin
  • increased hair growth on the face, neck, chest and upper back

 

After menopause women have an increased risk of the following conditions:

  • Cardiovasular disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Weight gain
  • Psychological symptoms
  • Depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, lethargy and lack of energy
  • Urinary symptoms

 


Treatments

Effective menopause treatments range from simple lifestyle changes to hormone therapy.

 

Lifestyle changes include:

  • Manage hot flushes by dressing in layers, having cold drinks, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, keeping rooms cool.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol to improve sleep and hot flushes.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains and limit saturated fat and sugar.
  • Treat vaginal dryness with over-the-counter water-cased lubricants.
  • Take daily exercise to help with sleep, and weight gain and help protect against heart disease and osteoporosis.
  • Use relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or yoga.

 

You may be advised to take calcium, vitamin D and magnesium supplements to increase your energy levels, improve your sleep and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

 

For changes to depression and anxiety, some patients may find antidepressants and/or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy beneficial.

 

Some patients report they find relief from their symptoms through homeopathy, acupuncture and reflexology.

 


Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

You may benefit from HRT if your symptoms are having an affect on your quality of life. HRT replaces the oestrogen hormone that is lost during menopause.

 

You will need a full assessment to determine your suitability for HRT. Your consultant will want to confirm menopause and understand your symptoms, and will assess the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Your consultant will ask if you have a history of thrombosis or migraines and will want to know if there’s a family history of breast, bowel or ovarian cancer. As with any medication, HRT has benefits and risks and these will be outlined and discussed.

 

HRT preparations vary in strength and combinations. Your consultant will recommend either a combination of oestrogen and progesterone, known as combined HRT, or oestrogen alone. Combined HRT can be either ‘sequential’ or ‘continuous’. The difference is the progesterone is taken for 10 to 14 days a month only, leading to a bleed similar to that of the menstrual cycle, or it is taken continuously to avoid bleeding.

 

The most common way of taking HRT is oral tablets. Other routes include through the skin in the form of a patch or gel, or as a vaginal pessary, cream or ring.  

 

Our consultants will discuss your options to help you make the best choice for you.

 


Our team

With extensive experience in both the NHS and private practice, you are in safe hands with our team of gynaecologists. Our team take a patient-focused approach to providing tailor-made treatment plans. By discussing a range of treatment options together with your consultant you will be able to decide on the best course of action with confidence. 

 

At One Healthcare we provide fast-access gynaecologists with initial appointments, usually within 24 hours, at One Hatfield in Hertfordshire and One Ashford in Kent.

 

You can use your private medical insurance or pay for your Menopause treatment. We offer competitive, fixed price packages as well as the ability to spread the cost of your treatment over a number of months. If you are using your health insurance, please contact your insurer first for approval and let them know you’d like to be treated at either the One Ashford Hospital or One Hatfield Hospital.

Why One Healthcare

  • Modern purpose-built hospital opened in March 2016 (Ashford) December 2017 (Hatfield)
  • Fast access to diagnostics including MRI, X-ray and Ultrasound
  • Private, spacious, en-suite rooms
  • Specialist Physiotherapy and nursing teams
  • Little or no waiting time
  • ‘Ultra clean air’ theatres
  • Freshly prepared food
  • Calm, dignified experience

Contact us and find out more

If you live in and around the Kent area and would like to visit our One Ashford Hospital please click here

If you are based in and around Hertfordshire and would like to visit the One Hatfield Hospital please click here.

Contact the Hospital About Menopause

Choose a Hospital

One Ashford

01233 423 000

One Ashford, Kennington Road, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent, TN24 0YS

One Ashford Hospital
One Hatfield

01707 443 459

One Hatfield Hospital, Hatfield Ave, Hatfield, AL10 9UA

One Hatfield Hospital