As a woman ages, her ovaries stop producing eggs and oestrogen, so menstrual periods become less frequent until they stop completely. You’re said to be in menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 months.

Menopause can happen at any age but is most common in women between 45-55 years of age, according to the NHS website.

Apart from your periods stopping, the most common symptoms of the menopause include hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, loss of sex drive, problems with memory and concentration (often known as ‘brain fog’), vaginal dryness, joint pain, osteoporosis, and stress incontinence.

Our guide provides more information on these and other menopause symptoms.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT is the most popular menopause treatment. HRT replaces oestrogen (and sometimes progesterone), which is depleted during the menopause. Oestrogen comes either as skin patches, a gel or spray, implants or tablets and progesterone comes as patches - sometimes combined with the oestrogen patch - an intrauterine system (IUS) or coil or in tablet form.

Testosterone gel for reduced libido

If HRT doesn’t improve your sex drive, you may be offered a testosterone cream or gel. This can be used alongside your HRT.

Treatments for vaginal dryness

If your vagina becomes dry, painful, or itchy as a result of the menopause, an oestrogen cream, tablet or ring inserted into your vagina may help with dryness and any other urinary symptoms. You can use these medications alongside your HRT.

If these treatments aren't successful, MonaLisa Touch® - a low powered laser treatment – could also help (see below for more on this procedure).

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

If you suffer with low mood or anxiety, CBT may help. CBT is a talking therapy which is available on the NHS or through self-help channels such as online CBT courses.

If CBT isn’t your thing, ask for help from friends and family and - if you’re working - from your manager and colleagues.

Lifestyle changes

A good diet, plenty of rest, regular exercise and keeping an eye on your mental wellbeing can all help you manage the symptoms of menopause.

Private GP service

Our experienced private GPs offer a 25-minute face-to-face appointment in our comfortable and discreet outpatient rooms.

They can discuss any concerns you have about the physical and emotional symptoms of the menopause and arrange prescriptions as well as tests and scans or follow-up appointments with the private GP service or with our expert gynaecological Consultants.

MonaLisa Touch® for vaginal dryness and discomfort

If your vagina becomes dry, painful or itchy as a result of the menopause and vaginal oestrogen treatment or over-the-counter vaginal moisturisers or lubricants aren't successful, we offer MonaLisa Touch®; a gentle low power laser treatment for vaginal dryness or pain.

Treatment for urgency and urge incontinence

Stress incontinence – a leakage of urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze or during exercise - is a common condition experienced during the menopause. It’s caused by hormone changes which weaken the pelvic floor and occurs increasingly as you get older.

We offer help and advice on dealing with stress incontinence, including lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises and – if these adjustments don’t work - bladder training and advice and other treatments including Botox in the bladder.

Treatment for osteoporosis

Our Rheumatology service offers consultations if you’re experiencing ongoing aches and pains in your joints during the menopause. They may suggest HRT or supplements to help treat the condition.

You can find out more about the cost of the treatment for the symptoms of menopause by contacting us via Live Chat, calling our Private Patient team on 01580 363158 or by completing our online enquiry form.