Your health at every stage of life.
Menopause is more than a conversation about symptoms. It is an opportunity to review long-term health needs, everyday habits and what matters to you. Evidence-informed care and individual assessment guide this discussion.
In a menopause consultation, we talk not about a single complaint but about the long period ahead of you. Alongside your symptoms, we look together at your bone, heart and metabolic health, your sleep, your sexual health and your body composition; the plan is individual to you.
Who it is for
Women in perimenopause, menopause or postmenopause who want to plan for their bone, heart and metabolic health, sleep and quality of life alongside their symptoms.
At the consultation
Symptom assessment, risk map, hormone treatment counselling, individual plan.
Next step
A follow-up schedule based on the checkpoints; referral to the relevant specialists when needed.
Areas of assessment
- Perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause
- Assessment of menopausal symptoms
- Hormone treatment counselling
- Bone and cardiometabolic health
- Sexual health
- Sleep and quality of life
- Body composition and weight management
- Healthy ageing and longevity
What happens during the consultation?
At your first consultation, your health history, current concerns and expectations are listened to. You can bring previous test or examination results. After the necessary assessments, the options suitable for you and a follow-up plan are discussed together.
- Consultation and medical history
- Examination and any necessary tests
- Individual plan; referral to the relevant specialists when needed
Checkpoints for healthy ageing
Bone health
As oestrogen falls, bone loss speeds up; the risk of fracture rises markedly after menopause.6
Cardiometabolic health
The menopause transition is a time when cardiovascular risk accelerates, independently of age.5
Hormone treatment counselling
For women under 60 or within the first 10 years after menopause who have no condition that rules out its use, the benefits outweigh the risks; the decision is individual.1,14
Sexual health
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is progressive; stepwise treatment is available.7
Sleep and quality of life
Sleep problems are common at this stage; there are evidence-based hormonal and non-hormonal options.2,13
Body composition
During the transition, fat mass increases more quickly and muscle mass decreases; the scales do not show this. The approach focuses on preserving muscle mass and on metabolic health.12
Limits and evidence
- Hormone therapy is not recommended as a way of preventing chronic disease.1,9
- Hormone therapy does not prevent dementia; when given at the onset of menopause, it has also not been shown to harm cognitive function.11
- Menopause is not a disease; the approach is high-quality information, shared decision-making and empathetic care.8
- Pharmacy-compounded “bioidentical” hormone mixtures are not recommended.1
Frequently asked questions
At what age does menopause happen, and what does perimenopause mean?
Is hormone therapy safe, and who can use it?
Does hormone therapy cause breast cancer?
I don’t want to use hormones; what else is there for hot flushes?
There are non-hormonal prescription options with a high level of evidence; which one suits you is decided at your appointment. Herbal products, soya extracts and acupuncture are not recommended for treating hot flushes.2
Why are the heart and bones discussed at menopause?
The menopause transition is a time when the risk to the heart and blood vessels accelerates, independently of age; fat distribution, blood fats and the structure of the blood vessels change during this time. As oestrogen falls, bone loss speeds up. That is why a menopause consultation is a natural checkpoint for blood pressure, blood fats, blood sugar and bone health.5,6
I reached menopause before the age of 40; what should I do?
When the ovaries stop working before the age of forty, this is called “premature ovarian insufficiency” and needs a separate assessment. In this case, whether or not there are symptoms, hormone therapy is recommended at least until the age of natural menopause, to protect bone and heart health.10
Is it normal for me to gain weight during menopause?
During the transition, fat mass increases at a faster rate and muscle mass decreases, and this change does not fully show on the scales. That is why, rather than weight on the scales, waist circumference and body composition are monitored at the consultation; protein intake and resistance exercise become more important at this stage.12
Sources
- NAMS HT Position Statement (2022) (opens in a new tab)
- NAMS Nonhormone Therapy Position Statement (2023) (opens in a new tab)
- NICE NG23 (2024) (opens in a new tab)
- IMS White Paper (2024) (opens in a new tab)
- AHA Scientific Statement (2020) (opens in a new tab)
- NAMS Osteoporosis (2021) (opens in a new tab)
- NAMS GSM Position Statement (2020) (opens in a new tab)
- Lancet Menopause Series (2024) (opens in a new tab)
- USPSTF (2022) (opens in a new tab)
- ESHRE/ASRM/IMS POI Guideline (2024) (opens in a new tab)
- KEEPS Continuation (2024) (opens in a new tab)
- Greendale et al., SWAN (2019) (opens in a new tab)
- Baker et al. (2018) (opens in a new tab)
- TMOD — Menopozda hormon tedavisi (tmod.org.tr) (opens in a new tab)
- TJOD World Menopause Day statement (in Turkish) (opens in a new tab)
This information is educational and is not a personal diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Assessment and follow-up are tailored to you during a medical consultation.