Peri-menopause specialists

[poohsticks13]

Hi,
Am looking for recommendations for a peri specialist in London. I've been on the BMS website and it's a minefield!

This will be my first time in seeking advice. Avoiding my regular GP as they haven't been the best and I'd rather just get some good initial advice and maybe a prescription and then take it from there.

Thanks 

When you say 'peri' are you looking to use HRT? Most menopause specialists will either prescribe hrt or give you advice on alternative treatments, especially lifestyle measures and maybe some of the herbal supplements that may help.

What are you hoping for?

Medical Prime in London, near Moorgate Station. Dr Theodora Kalentzi, she's brilliant and very reasonably priced compared to some of the cowboys on Harley St

To be honest @Jmc1980 , her fees are almost the same as consultant gynaes, including one who is a Fellow of the RCOG, (highest level of qualification) whereas she is a GP with a Cert in Menopause . She's charging £295 and most consultants' fees are in that region.

I tried to see Professpr Studd who quoted £700! So I find her fees reasonable, of course it's all relative. IMHO she's worth every penny as my NHS GP was/is appalling.

Prof Studd died some time ago. I think his fees were very high. I've never seen him and chose someone else who is far more reasonable ( around the £300 mark) and exceptionally experienced as a FRCOG.

Have you looked at the BUPA one year menopause package? This is what my sister did and she's been really pleased with the consultation and ongoing support. £250 for the year then the prescription cost on top.

TBH, most consultants now if you want to try HRT are going to give you transdermal estrogen and Utrogestan. Some may suggest a coil if you have heavy periods and want to avoid a bleed. (Some may allow you to go onto a long cycle, so you avoid monthly bleeds with sequential HRT.)

Apart from this, your GP can give you the HRT if you now what to ask for and go in, informed.

I'd suggest you think about the long term costs if you want to stay with a private dr but of course it it's within your means, that's fine! You would normally have a first consultation, then a 2nd one 3 months later, (for 2/3rds cost), and another one 6 months later. You may find they ask your GP to provide the HRT in which case the GP usually takes over your treatment, not the consultant. If you stay with the consultant, you will pay for your own prescriptions as cost price ( that is more than the NHS but not extortionate.)

PM me if you want more info as I've been doing this for years.

Hi JHB, yes, I think I would probably benefit from HRT. I've held off for as long as I could and tried various herbal remedies but it's just getting too difficult now.

Yep, I've considered this and looked at reviews. Just want to make an informed choice really.

FRCOG is not a higher qualification than MRCGP. They are both Post graduate exams for their individual speciality. (I say that as a FRCA and MRCP holder).

I have just been trying to find someone to see about my own perimenopause issues and chose a private GP who is a specialist in the menopause (Dr Zoe Hodson, Manchester Menopause Hive) and she was absolutely brilliant. She does online appointments so would cover London if you weren’t fussed about a face to face appointment.

I think I'd be looking at initially private and then going over to my GP. I don't really know what is best for me but I don't have any faith in my GP to put me on the right path. For example - he diagnosed me as having CFS when it was actually my iron levels (blood loss during childbirth that nobody thought to tell me about or treat). I had to work that one out myself.

Thank you all for the recommendations so far

@Tivadivaz FRCOG is not a higher qualification than MRCGP. They are both Post graduate exams for their individual speciality. (I say that as a FRCA and MRCP holder)

Maybe you are thinking of something else? I'm not talking about GPs.

This is what I meant and what my consultant is -

The FRCOG exam is internationally respected as the gold standard qualification for career progression in O&G: [obstetrics and gynaecology] it's your passport to the very pinnacle of the profession. The Membership examination, which was first held in 1931, is intended for those who wish to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology.

I don't know what the initials are after your name, but assume the MRCP makes you a pharmacist ( as is a friend of mine.)

Sara Matthews at the Portland is brilliant

I am a consultant Anaesthetist with dual qualifications of Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and Membership of the Royal College of Physicians.

You said ‘whereas she is a GP with a Cert in Menopause’…..’her fees are almost the same as consultant gynaes’ which read to me as if you felt GPs were not as senior/ well qualified as Consultants, which they most definitely are.

I was trying to clarify that a Gp with a certificate in Menopause is also an highly trained expert who will have a good knowledge of peri menopause matters.

@Jmc1980 A consultant menopause gynaecologist (especially if they are also a surgeon) is more highly qualified than a GP, even one with BMS training in menopause.

A GP with menopause training can prescribe, but they certainly can't carry out investigations, gynae procedures, or surgery that may be part and parcel of what women in peri/ post meno might need.

I'm only adding this so the OP can appreciate the difference between doctors as she is trying to choose. It all depends on what the OP wants.

@Tivadivaz Sorry- tagged the wrong name- above was in reply to you😊

I used mymenopausecentre. Not London but online (45 min video call). I wanted a specialist as I have endometriosis and I really wanted to get some focused time with someone who would listen. I got an appointment within 2 weeks so a shorter waiting list than some I tried. The Doc was awesome and they deliver the prescriptions to your door.

Your GP surgery are notified and once you are comfortable with your prescription you can ask your GP to provide it to save on costs. I haven't got that far yet but I'm hoping they will do that without the challenge of getting an appointment.

Not as cheap as the Bupa package mentioned above though.

I'll have a look. Thank you!

Have you looked at happyhormonesforlife.com ?
A friend of mine used them a couple of years ago and had good reports.