Our founder, Dr Alice Duffy, takes you through what is offered as a patient at Health in Menopause.
Have you read up about the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause?
Do the symptoms describe how you feel and you want to know what’s next?
You may have tried some over-the-counter medications and spoken to friends about how they are managing this transition but if you think you need more help than this, where should you turn? And who can you trust to give high quality, personalised care for your perimenopause or menopause?
I established Health in Menopause to help women just like you.
This is what you can expect on your Health in Menopause Patient Journey:
Step 1: Booking an appointment
This can often feel like the biggest step, but what would you say to a friend if she confided in you that she was struggling with menopause symptoms? We are often our own harshest critic and self-doubt can be amplified around the time of the menopause. Taking positive action to improve your quality of life, relationships with others and your future health is a step to be admired.
The process is simple – book online here or call 0115 6463390 where one of our friendly reception team will be happy to book an appointment at a time to suit you.
You can choose to have a face-to-face appointment in one of our clinics or a video consultation in a place to suit you. Payment for the appointment is taken at the time of booking.
Step 2: Booking confirmation
Confirmation of your appointment will come by email. If you have chosen a video consultation, your email will contain a link for you to click on at the time of the consultation and also a link to complete two pre-consultation forms (including the Menopause Symptoms Questionnaire) ahead of your appointment. Some background information helps us understand a bit more about you, your symptoms and your medical history so that we can think in advance about what might help you and make the best use of our time during the consultation.
(You do not need to have access to Microsoft Teams or Zoom to access our video consultations).
The evening before your consultation, you will receive a reminder via email of your appointment time – forgetfulness is a common feature of menopause and I would hate for you to miss the appointment!
Step 3: The consultation
Pre-appointment
For video consultations, on the day, at the appropriate time, you simply click on the link in the email and you are taken to a Virtual Waiting Room. Your doctor will join you on the screen as soon as they are able and there you will meet – no travel, no parking, no stress!
In person consultations take place at one of our clinic spaces in Nottingham or Sutton Coldfield. Details about your clinic venue’s access and location will be provided in an email after you have booked an appointment.
Beginning
The Health in Menopause consultation is your opportunity to tell us how you feel, what symptoms have troubled you, what you have tried already and what you hope to gain as a result of your consultation.
This conversation is totally unique to you as no individual’s experience of perimenopause or menopause is the same. We want to hear your story.
Middle
We will look at the information you provided in advance and ask you some questions based on this and other related topics. We will want to learn more about you, your medical history, what medication you take, any allergies, how you live your life, what’s important to you, your family and social history and how you have managed hormonal challenges that life has already thrown at you. This is all to ensure we can advise on the best treatment for you.
We will find out what you already know about hormones and menopause so we can build on this rather than over explain what you already know. If you don’t know much, that’s absolutely fine too as we do, and we’re always happy to share this knowledge in ways that are easy to understand and empower you to feel more in control of your health and wellbeing.
Wrapping up
At the end of the consultation, we will clearly explain what we think will work best for you and help you make a decision about how you would like to proceed after a full discussion of the benefits and any risks of the proposed treatment plan.
In keeping with British Menopause Society and International Menopause Society guidelines, we most often prescribe body identical HRT if you would like to try this. This is backed by research and evidence and is prescribed on the NHS. We also prescribe non-hormonal medications if these are more appropriate for you.
We then write a prescription for any medication, tailored to your needs, and this is sent electronically to our affiliated online pharmacies, CloudRx or Pharmacierge. When the prescription is issued during a consultation, there is no additional cost for the prescription.
Your clinician will advise when she thinks you should see her again for a follow up appointment to assess your response to treatment. She will check that you have no further questions and finish the consultation there.
Step 4: After the consultation
CloudRx or Pharmacierge will contact you by text or email (usually the same day) to take payment for the medication and it is then posted directly to you. Depending on the delivery method you have chosen, your medication is usually received within 24-48 hours of your payment.
Within 7 days you will receive notification of a shared document from Health in Menopause and this will be a detailed letter from your menopause clinician that summarises what was discussed during the consultation, the health benefits of any suggested treatment such as HRT, your treatment summary and the plan for follow up.
If you have provided a secure email for your GP, this letter will also be sent electronically to your GP for inclusion in your medical record. If you have not provided a secure email for your GP, responsibility lies with you to print a copy of your letter and deliver this to your GP.
Possible additional step: Blood tests
Blood tests are not always necessary. For women aged 45 or over, no blood test is needed to diagnose perimenopause or menopause. Sometimes in women over 40 years, blood tests are useful to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. In women aged 40 or under, blood tests usually are required, for example, to diagnose Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.
Some women may be advised to have a blood test to exclude anaemia, an underactive thyroid gland, low Ferritin or Vitamin D deficiency. The symptoms of these conditions are similar to those of the menopause and are also common in midlife.
If blood tests are required, or a woman wants them as part of a more general health check, these can be done at the time of the consultation if you are attending the clinic. Alternatively, we can request these through Nationwide Pathology. You will be asked to call Nationwide Pathology to book a convenient appointment at a location near you. The cost of the blood test is in addition to the consultation fee. You will be told the cost of the blood test before this is booked. A fee is also payable to the phlebotomist who takes your blood and you’ll be advised by Nationwide Pathology what this cost is at the time of booking. Payment for the blood test is taken at the time of booking.
The results of blood tests are usually received and processed within 7-10 days. We will share these results with you via email, along with an explanation of what they mean and a plan of action if this is required.
Step 6: Follow up
A follow up consultation after 3 months is recommended for everyone and is part of national menopause guidelines as good practice. Three months is the approximate length of time it takes for the full effects of HRT to be felt in your body.
The follow up appointment is booked in the same way as you made the initial consultation, either online or by phone and it can be in-person at one of our clinics or by video link as before.
The follow up conversation is a chance to assess your response to the HRT and to check for any side effects. Adjustments to the dose or type of HRT are made if required.
Menopause symptoms can change over time, and treatments often need adjusting to suit how you are feeling, so a follow up appointment is essential in making sure that you are getting the best possible care.
A discussion about possible vaginal symptoms, your sex drive and sexual satisfaction is often a part of this consultation. The role of Testosterone therapy is discussed if appropriate.
If we haven’t needed to make any changes to your HRT, you will generally be asked to make another follow up appointment in around 6 months. At this point, if everything is stable, an annual review is all that is required.
If a change to the HRT regime has been made at your first follow up appointment, you will be recommended to be seen for a review again after 3 months to assess your response.
Prescription requests between appointments carry an admin fee. Please refer to our website for current fee details.
We recommend an annual review for all women as hormonal changes can shift over time. Other lifestyle factors and life events can impact on how you feel – what worked well for you before, may benefit from some adjustment as time goes on.
Ongoing care allows you to feel supported and confident that your treatment has been optimised for you. These reviews are an investment in your long-term health and wellbeing and ensure that you continue to feel supported, heard and in control of your menopause journey.
You are always welcome!
Last updated: July 2026
