Although the menopause
usually occurs around the age of 50,it can happen earlier or later
than this. Women who go through the menopause before the age of 40
(approximately 1% of women) are said to have had a premature menopause.
Many women pass through the menopause without any problems but some
women experience distressing symptoms, which affect their quality
of life. In addition the low, and changing levels of hormones at the
time of the menopause (particularly oestrogen), are known to have
long term health effects for women after the menopause. The most common
of these are the increased risk of fracture due to the development
of post-menopausal osteoporosis and the increased risk of cardiovascular
disease and strokes.
The Menopause clinic is an important resource of advice and support
to both General Practitioners and their patients and there is a
great demand for the service. Over 2,000 women a year attend for
screening, advice and treatment.
In general the women who will benefit from attending the Menopause
clinic fall into the following groups:
- Women who have specific medical problems that require specialist
advice concerning the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (H.R.T)
- Women who are having difficulty in finding a suitable preparation
of H.R.T.
- Women who are having problem bleeding whilst on H.R.T
- Women who have gone through an early menopause or who have had
their ovaries removed surgically.
There are two Menopause clinics held each week within the Gynaecology
outpatients department.
Clinics are held on:
Monday afternoon
Mr R. Gazvani Consultant in Gynaecology
Tuesday afternoon
Mr C.Kingsland, Consultant in Gynaecology
Dr E. Manning, Consultant in Clinical Chemistry.
In addition there is a monthly Specialist clinic for women who have
had treatment for breast cancer. This clinic is held on the last
Monday of each month and is attended by:
Mr Kingsland, Consultant in Gynaecology
Mr N. Aziz, Consultant in Gynaecology
Miss A.Waghorn, Consultant in Endocrine Surgery
First visit
The Menopause nurse sees patients who are referred to the clinic.
She will take a full medical history. Screening bloods will be taken
to check the patient's general health as well as to check changes
in hormone levels. Bone mineral density may be arranged if this
is shown to be necessary by the medical history.
Second visit -
The results of tests will be available. A member of the medical
staff will discuss these with the patient. The need for treatment
and the options available are also discussed with the patient.
Patients have easy access to the menopause nurse, via, telephone
/ voice mail.
The role of the Menopause nurse.
The Menopause nurse provides the first point of contact with the
patients referred to our Menopause clinics. Her role is to ensure
that patients are given information on:
- The causes of menopausal symptoms
- The short and long term effects of the menopause.
- Information on future treatment.
During history taking the nurse will be able to identify areas
of the patient's lifestyle that might benefit from advice regarding
diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol intake. The advice given is
non-judgmental and is backed up by health education literature.
There is considerable research activity and patients attending
the menopause clinic are invited to participate in on-going clinical
trials, if they wish.
For further help and advice contact:
The Amarant Trust
Sycamore House
5 Sycamore Street
London
EC1Y OSG
Helpline tel. 01293 413 000
Adviceline tel. 09068 660620. Calls cost 50p per minute.
National Osteoporosis Society
Camerton,
Bath BA2 0PJ
Tel 01761 471771
Helpline: 01761 472721
Fax: 01761 471104
E-mail: info@nos.org.uk
www.nos.org.uk
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Outpatients
and Clinics 
