“It was such a relief and so reassuring to talk to a clinician with such knowledge, expertise and empathy.”
(CWH client, 2025)
In many traditional healthcare settings, time is limited. Appointments can be hard to find, conversations can feel rushed, and it may feel difficult to fully explain what you’ve been experiencing.
If you have an underlying health condition or illness that runs in your family, or if you’ve failed to response to treatment so far, you might be told “it’s complicated”. This can leave you feeling adrift and excluded, sometimes waiting long periods for a referral to see a hospital specialist.
Our appointments are different.
Our clients tell us that the ability to tell their story, to feel heard, and to leave feeling informed and empowered is what makes the difference.
We use your stories to think about how to approach this life stage holistically – managing both your symptoms, and the changes this hormonal transition means for your long-term health.
Together we will discuss your medical history, lifestyle, goals, and preferences to guide recommendations that feel right for you.
These might include:
- Lifestyle strategies for sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress
- Support for brain health, bone health, and long-term wellbeing
- Hormonal options such as Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Non-hormonal treatments
- Advice to improve genital or urinary symptoms
What you do with those recommendations is up to you.
Many people tell us that their appointment at CWH led to more effective and honest conversations with their usual clinicians, loved ones, and even employers.
They report feeling better equipped to navigate the advice that comes from every angle, and start making changes, even small ones, that fit into their lives.
We know that every woman has a story and deserves to be heard.
Come and tell us yours.
“…I thought it couldn’t be the perimenopause, because I’m not having any hot flushes…”
You’re not alone.
When we were training, we were also told that the menopause was just about hot flushes and night sweats and the menstrual cycle stopping.
It’s certainly true that:
- around 7/10 women will experience some level of flushes and sweats, known as vasomotor symptoms, during the menopausal transition, and these can vary in severity and duration from person to person
- periods in the perimenopause can become more irregular, lighter, or much heavier before they eventually stop.
However, for many women, the symptoms are far more varied and less obvious.
We know there are over 30 symptoms associated with the perimenopause and menopause. These can include:
- Anxiety and low mood
- Brain fog and memory changes
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbance
- Joint and muscle pain
- Palpitations
- Reduced confidence
- Changes in weight or metabolism
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Bladder symptoms
Why is this?
Firstly, the significant fluctuations – highs and lows – of the sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) during this stage of life.
Secondly, the fact that receptors for these hormones are located everywhere, including the brain, skin, genitourinary tract and the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system.
You may never have experienced a hot flush, and feel that your most troubling symptoms are cognitive, emotional, aches and pains or recurrent urinary tract infections.
Don’t get us wrong, all these symptoms can absolutely have other causes.
You’re in the stage of life where many of us are juggling busy careers, family responsibilities, ageing relatives, and stress from what’s happening in our communities and wider environment.
We’re constantly being reminded that we should be cutting back on caffeine, exercising more, putting away our phones, eating more protein, taking Vitamin D and practising mindfulness.
At the same time, other health conditions such as thyroid disease, iron deficiency, autoimmune conditions, and some cancers may begin to appear or evolve.
BUT
Hormonal changes may be contributing to your symptoms alongside lifestyle, mental health, or other medical conditions. Two things can be true (it’s one of our favourite sayings).
Untangling this can feel confusing and sometimes overwhelming.
Speaking to a specialist at our clinic, who is used to looking at the whole person, can help you identify what role the menopause transition is having in how you feel.
This might involve:
- Exploring which symptoms may be due to changes in your hormones
- Identifying lifestyle factors that may be contributing to how you feel
- Working alongside your usual GP or specialists to identify other health issues
- Discussing a range of treatment and support options
- Creating a personalised plan that reflects the bigger picture.
If you want some help to better understand what’s happening to you, make an appointment with one of our experienced team.
“I think my hormones are out of balance – would a blood test help?”
Your menopause transition is a time of highs and lows. And this is true for your hormone levels.
In most cases, it is the clinical presentation, your symptoms and how you are feeling, that matters more than blood tests. But there are some blood tests we may suggest.
For more information about blood tests read our blog post: I think my hormones are out of balance – would a blood test help?
Your health is personal and so is our approach. Book a consultation and we’ll take the time to understand your history, lifestyle, and goals before making any recommendations.
Book an appointment with Susanna, Katherine, or Madeleine today.