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HRT and Menopause
Winscombe and Banwell Family Practice are committed to providing the best possible treatment to our patients who may be experiencing symptoms of menopause.
We have supported our nurse to develop a special interest in menopause care, she is certificated by the British Menopause Society UK and deliver evidence based practice for our patients.
We have been providing support to patients through the development of a pathway for those seeking help with their peri/menopause symptoms. Most women of 45 years of age and over do not typically need blood tests to diagnose menopause. We know that your natural Oestrogen levels are depleting and that symptoms will emerge. Symptoms are varied and we assess women on an individual basis based on their clinical presentation.
Ongoing discussions with patients are crucial to consider the best care moving forward, which balance the patient’s needs with safe, evidence-based practice. We pride ourselves in delivering an holistic approach within the framework of an NHS Service.
We monitor our patients’ progress using the Menopause Symptom Checker tool which you can download and return to us. We review patients at regular intervals once they have commenced hormone replacement therapy. Lifestyle discussions around support to stop smoking, reducing and moderating alcohol use and diet and exercise are at the heart of the patient experience. During the patient consultations we also review the uptake of NHS routine cervical screening and mammography screening.
Patients who contact us for help with any peri/menopause symptoms should be aware that this is quite an in-depth process to get the right treatment in place and it can sometimes take time for symptoms to settle. There is a considerable amount of information for you to read about how we can help you. It is really worth looking at the links below before you request an appointment so you understand the process. This process is rarely a simple case of sending a prescription to the pharmacy, the treatment you receive will be a joint decision between you and the clinician.
Improved Access
We are working together with other local practices to offer patients access to more appointments in the early mornings, evenings and at weekends. To find out more about these services, please contact the practice.
Links, Forms and Resources
Menopause symptom Questionnaire
Please fill in this questionnaire and return it to the surgery when completed. Please note this is a document to completed not an on-line form. You can attach the completed form to an Ask My GP request
HRT risks and benefits (Women’s Health Concern is the public facing website of the British Menopause Society): https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/hrt-know-benefits-risks/
What is menopause: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/
Helpful links including POCASTs of HRT and menopause: https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/
Menopause tracking APP (‘The Balance App’): https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/resources/the-balance-app