Treating Menopause
Before the initial consultation, you'll receive a registration form and symptoms questionnaire to complete. Dr Branka will discuss your physical and psychological symptoms in detail and take a comprehensive medical history during the initial consultation.
You will be given ample time to talk about your menopause symptoms and how it's affecting you and explore your expectations and what is important to you. Dr Branka will take time to answer any questions or concerns you might have in a sensitive and supportive manner.
You may also discuss available hormonal (HRT) and if any further blood tests or investigations are required. Dr Branka can offer advice on lifestyle changes, assessing and modifying risk factors, and assessing risk for long-term health problems.
If HRT is the right option for you, Dr Branka's preference is to prescribe body-identical HRT whenever possible, in line with NICE and British Menopause Society guidance.
As every woman's menopause journey is unique and symptoms can vary considerably, her practice is to provide individualised treatment and care to each woman centred on evidence-based treatment and needs.
Following the initial consultation, you will receive a written summary of your personalised care plan. We will also write to your GP to let them know what has been prescribed with your permission.
After the first month, you will receive a short e-mail to check how you are getting on with your treatment and if there are any adverse effects or problems that would require early follow-up consultation.
Menopause Treatment Options
Treatment options vary according to your needs; however, Dr Branka can offer access to HRT and/or advice about the benefits of non-hormonal therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Antidepressants, Acupuncture, yoga, mindfulness and other complementary and alternative options.
Treatment is tailored based on the woman's age, symptoms, risk factors and woman's preferences. Dr Branka will only offer evidence-based information and treatment that has been proven to help. The advice and treatment are explicitly designed to improve your quality of life and reduce long-term health effects.
Stages of Perimenopause & Menopause
Menopause usually occurs between the age of 45 to 55. It is the stage in a woman's life when her periods stop for one year+ due to reduction and loss of ovarian function. When oestrogen levels start to decline, a range of symptoms can develop and affect a woman's well-being and health.
Most women experience changes before they reach Menopause. This transition phase is called Perimenopause, with periods of irregularity and usually occurs in a woman above the age of 45. Hormones are very variable during this stage, and women may experience Perimenopause symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal and bladder problems.
For some women, Early Menopause can begin before the age of 45 and sometimes even before the age of 40, known as Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).
This group of women can significantly benefit from HRT for long-term health effects like the prevention of osteoporosis, and there is evidence that it helps cardiovascular protection.
Menopause and lack of oestrogen can have long-term health effects, particularly on bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and potentially increasing the risk of heart disease. If you think you are per or menopausal, it's better to address the symptoms sooner rather than later.
