PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE
Menopause & Perimenopause Care
No two women go through menopause the same way. Hormonal changes can affect your sleep, mood, energy, relationships and how you cope at work — not just your body.
The GPs at Oxford Street Medical Centre Bulimba provide personalised, evidence-based care for perimenopause and menopause. Whether you're just starting to notice changes or have been putting up with symptoms for years, we can help you work out what's going on and put together a management plan that suits you.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the natural transition leading up to menopause. It usually begins in your 40s, though some women notice changes earlier.
During this time, oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, which can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms — even while you're still having periods. Perimenopause can last several years.
What is menopause?
Menopause is diagnosed once you've gone 12 months without a period (where this isn't due to pregnancy, hormonal contraception or another medical condition). It marks the end of your reproductive years and is a normal stage of life.
Natural doesn't mean easy, though. Symptoms can have a real impact on your daily life — and effective treatments are available.
Common symptoms
You might have one symptom or several, and they can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Irregular, heavier or lighter periods
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Mood changes, anxiety or low mood
• Poor sleep or insomnia
• Fatigue and low energy
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort
• Pain during sex
• Low libido
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Joint and muscle aches
• Headaches or migraines
• Heart palpitations
• Dry skin or thinning hair
• Weight changes
Not everything in midlife is caused by menopause, which is why a proper assessment with your GP matters.
How our GPs can help
Your doctor will take the time to go through your symptoms, medical history and overall health before recommending anything. Depending on your situation, your management plan may include:
• Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), also known as HRT
• Non-hormonal prescription medicines
• Vaginal (local) oestrogen therapy
• Lifestyle, diet, exercise and sleep strategies
• Mental health support
• Blood tests where clinically indicated
• Bone health and osteoporosis prevention
• Cardiovascular risk assessment and preventive health screening
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT / HRT)
MHT — which many people still know as HRT — is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe menopausal symptoms.
For many women it makes a significant difference to hot flushes, night sweats, sleep and vaginal dryness, and it can also help protect bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in appropriate women.
Whether MHT is right for you depends on your symptoms, medical history and individual risk factors. Your GP will talk through:
• The potential benefits and risks for you
• The different types available — tablets, patches, gels and vaginal preparations
• Which option best suits your symptoms and lifestyle
• How your treatment will be monitored and reviewed over time
If MHT isn't suitable, or you'd rather not use it, there are effective non-hormonal treatments and lifestyle strategies that can help too.
Looking after your long-term health
Menopause is about more than managing hot flushes. It's also a good time to take stock of your overall health and reduce your risk of future problems. Your GP may review your heart health, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, bone health, weight, breast health, cervical screening, bowel cancer screening and mental wellbeing.
Our aim is to help you feel well now and stay well long term.
Book an appointment
If perimenopause or menopause symptoms are affecting your life, you don't have to just put up with them. Call Oxford Street Medical Centre or book online to see one of our GPs.
We recommend booking a longer appointment for your first menopause consultation so there's time to properly go through your history and options.