Resources / How do I know whether I need to see my GP or a Menopause Specialist (and is there a difference)?

How do I know whether I need to see my GP or a Menopause Specialist (and is there a difference)?

The diagnosis and treatment of the different stages of menopause has greatly improved over the last few years and many healthcare professionals in both general practice and secondary care have a special interest in menopause. This means that there are now more options for who to see if you wish to seek medical advice.

Every woman has a unique experience of the menopause – some women will be relatively untroubled by it, and others may have debilitating symptoms, and therefore need to see a healthcare professional with specific menopause expertise.

One frequently asked question is “Should I consult a menopause specialist or can my GP offer what I need for managing the menopause transition?”

What is a Menopause Specialist?

A menopause specialist is a healthcare professional who has specific training in menopause, and so is able to diagnose and provide menopause-related advice and treatment. They are able to address problems such as complex menopausal symptoms, difficulties with HRT, or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Many menopause specialists in the UK will be accredited by the British Menopause Society (BMS) or other specialist organisations, but expertise can also be acquired by years of experience in this field.

Is there any difference between a consultation with my GP or a Menopause Specialist?

Most GP appointments last 10 minutes (in some practices, menopause consultations may last longer), whereas a specialist appointment will typically last up to 45 minutes, and you may be asked to complete a pre-consultation questionnaire giving your medical history and symptoms.

A 45-minute consultation provides enough time for a detailed discussion of your symptoms, any explanations you may need and creation of a personalised treatment plan that may include HRT or appropriate alternatives, as well as recommendations for lifestyle adjustments if necessary.

What can help me decide whether to see a Menopause Specialist?

Recent research shows that although many GPs have some experience of managing menopause, where a practice has no one with this expertise, many women struggle to obtain a diagnosis of perimenopause or menopause or require multiple GP visits before they receive effective treatment.

A few things may help you decide whether you might need to see a menopause specialist:-

  • If you feel that you aren’t able to obtain the support you need to manage your symptoms and treatment
  • If you have more complex symptoms or need more complex treatment
  • If you have questions about menopause or its treatment that your GP can’t answer
  • If your GP suggests a referral to a specialist

Do I have to pay for Menopause care?

All NHS GP consultations are free, but you will need to pay the NHS prescription charge (currently £9.90). You can also purchase an HRT pre-payment certificate for a one-off payment of £19.80 (the cost of two single items) which will cover an unlimited number of certain HRT medicines for 12 months.

A private specialist appointment typically costs between £200-300 and you may need to pay for a private HRT prescription if your GP is unwilling or unable to prescribe it. The cost of this will depend on the type of HRT and the dispensing pharmacy.

Why New Woman Health?

At NewWoman Health we have a commitment to educating, advising, treating, and supporting women approaching, during, and following menopause. Our wide range of medical and lifestyle interventions helps women to manage or minimise their menopause symptoms and improve their quality (and potential longevity) of life in an aspirational and uplifting way.

If you’re concerned about your menopause transition and/ or other menopause-related problems, including treatment options, we can support you with our personalised medical consultations with menopause specialists. Take the next step in ensuring your long-term health and quality of life by booking a consultation with us today.

Book your consultation now

References

  1. Royal College of General Practitioners curriculum https://www.rcgp.org.uk/News/Menopause-care-GP-curriculum 
  2. Freedom of Information (FOI) request put to the UK’s 33 medical schools by the founder of Menopause Support and the #MakeMenopauseMattercampaign, Diane Danzebrink, in 2020. https://menopausesupport.co.uk/?p=14434
  3.  NICE GP guidance. Menopause: diagnosis and management https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23
  4. GP ongoing training requirements https://www.bmj.com/careers/article/how-to-become-a-gp-in-the-uk-a-step-by-step-guide
  5. Government’s first-ever new Woman’s Health Strategy https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/womens-health/all-new-doctors-to-face-mandatory-womens-health-training-from-2024/
  6. Menopause Care Professional certificate course. https://www.fsrh.org/education-and-training/menopause-care-professional-certificate-mcpc/
  7. BMS Principles in Menopause Care qualification https://thebms.org.uk/education/principles-practice-of-menopause-care/ 
  8. Ref 8: Menopause Statistics, https://menopausesupport.co.uk/?page_id=60 

You are not alone. As a local example, in Manchester over 46% of council employees are female and over 40 years old. In a CIPD survey (2019) over 30% of women said they were unable to work because of menopausal symptoms.

Only 25% said they could tell their manager the real reason for their absence. The Council account for nearly 7% of all employment in Manchester. They implemented a new Menopause policy in March 2022. CIPD survey | Manchester Council Menopause Policy | CIPD Manchester

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We are online, so it’s very convenient to book a time to fit into our busy schedule. You don’t need to travel into Manchester to get expert help.

You can book any of the following consultations (click to read more):

Having a private online consultation means you get treatment and support at very competitive prices.

There are no additional charges for GP letters or prescriptions. You pay for expert advice for peri-menopause or menopause and receive that help from a specialist with years of experience. To see all our prices, please check our prices page.

Expert Menopause Doctors helping women in Manchester and Greater Manchester

Our team of menopause specialists have extensive experience treating and supporting women impacted by the peri-menopause and menopause. Their advice and expertise will support you to make informed decisions for your menopause and overall quality of life and well-being. Simply select your preferred menopause specialist by going to our menopause specialists page and arrange a consultation today.