Make sense of the way you feel
The transitions, imbalances and health conditions that play havoc with our hormones.
The emotional toll of the sometimes, prolonged and distressing symptoms of women’s health conditions, cannot be underestimated.
You may not know exactly why you don’t feel yourself, but getting checked out is the first step to understanding what is happening and how to fix it.
My approach is to understand what you are experiencing and arrange the scans and tests to set out a comprehensive treatment plan.
Life can feel better.
Menopause & Perimenopause
I offer a holistic approach diagnosing and treating the very wide range of symptoms and problems in the menopause and perimopause as well as looking at general health and how to prevent future health problems. Longer in person appointments and diagnostic tests allow time to discuss the wide range of issues women face at this time of life and enable any treatment to be tailored to the individual.
Premature Menopause
Known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) affecting women below the age of 40 and often missed. Blood hormone testing is required to establish a diagnosis and bone density scanning to check for osteoporosis. Treatment with HRT is extremely important to prevent complications of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease as well as time and space to discuss this often very distressing condition which will often also require onward specialist referral.
PMS/PMDD Mood Disturbance
Mood disturbance in the 2nd part of a woman’s cycle can have a significant impact on quality of life and ability to function normally. This can happen at any time in a woman’s life but often worsens towards the peri menopause and can respond well to a variety of different approaches including hormonal treatment. Longer appointments and in person consultations can be very helpful in looking at ways to approach this condition.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is diagnosed as a combination of symptoms including acne and hirsutism (excessive unwanted hair growth) due to higher levels of testosterone in the presence of absent or infrequent periods as well as multiple cysts seen in the ovaries on ultrasound scan. Hormonal imbalance and complications such as reduced fertility and diabetes can be reduced by looking at ways to prevent weight gain and hormonal treatments to help with any symptoms as well as promoting regular withdrawal bleeds which are important to protect the lining of the uterus.
Unable or not wanting to take HRT?
There are multiple alternative medical and non medical treatments available for menopausal symptoms. A new and very exciting non-hormonal prescription treatment (Veozah) is now available to treat hot flushes.
Increasing weight bearing exercise, yoga and medication, nutritional changes, dietary supplements and psychotherapy can all help to reduce the impact of menopausal symptoms as well as improve physical and mental wellbeing. Women without menopausal symptoms may also wish to look at their risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease before making the decision not to take HRT.
Time to take stock?
The menopause is also a very good time to take stock and make changes that could have a huge impact on the quality of life in later years and reduce future health risks.
Lifestyle changes?
Time for a holistic approach looking at diet, exercise and overall lifestyle that can help to promote your health and well-being.
Just not feeling right?
Illness, weight loss, low energy availability and stress can, at any age, cause the symptoms often associated with hormonal changes. It is important to correct any imbalances and protect against the loss in bone density that may follow.
Eating Disorders
Anorexia and bulimia nervosa can cause absent or irregular periods. Weight loss associated with anorexia can cause women to stop ovulating leading to low oestrogen levels and a risk of bone thinning and a higher risk of osteoporosis in later life. Hormonal treatment can help to protect bones and improve emotional wellbeing.
Bulimia, though less well understood, can equally affect hormonal balance, possibly due to energy intake fluctuations.
Female Athlete Triad
The female athlete triad is an interrelationship of menstrual dysfunction, low energy availability (with or without an eating disorder), and decreased bone mineral density; it is relatively common among young women participating in sports and can lead to a higher risk of stress fractures and injury.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is a common problem in the menopause and perimenopause with an average total weight gain of around 10kg. With lowering oestogen levels fat is often distributed around the abdomen and organs (visceral fat) changing body shape and increasing cardiovascular and diabetes risk. It is common to find that measures women have taken in pre menopausal years to keep weight stable often no longer seem to work and lack of energy, poor sleep and low self esteem can worsen the problem.
Receiving advice on nutrition and exercise as well as other lifestyle changes can be very helpful where weight gain is a concern. There is no evidence that HRT causes weight gain and replacement of oestrogen can often help, not only with fat distribution but with energy levels and motivation.
Body composition scans available at the DexaStrong Clinic not only show where fat is distributed but can be a very helpful way of ensuring visceral fat is being lost with any weight reduction.