Women's Health & Wellbeing

Perimenopause and menopause are natural stages of life, but the symptoms associated with hormonal changes can affect physical health, emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning.

Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause, during which hormone levels fluctuate and menstrual cycles may become irregular.

Menopause is reached after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, where there is no other medical or physiological explanation.

For many women, these changes occur during their 40s and 50s, although the timing and experience vary.

Common symptoms may include:

• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Irregular or changing menstrual cycles
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue and reduced energy
• Mood changes or irritability
• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort
• Changes in sexual desire
• Joint and muscle discomfort
• Changes in body composition

Our practitioners can assess your symptoms, medical history and relevant risk factors to determine appropriate management options.

These may include lifestyle recommendations, non-hormonal treatments or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) where clinically appropriate.

Menopause is a natural transition, but you don't have to navigate troublesome symptoms without support.

Hormones play an important role in reproductive function, menstrual cycles, metabolism, bone health and many other physiological processes.

Hormonal concerns may arise at different stages of life and can have a variety of underlying causes.

Our practitioners can assess concerns relating to:

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Heavy or painful periods
• Premenstrual symptoms
• Suspected polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid-related symptoms
• Hormonal changes associated with ageing
• Changes in libido
• Persistent fatigue
• Other symptoms suggesting an endocrine condition

Depending on your symptoms, your practitioner may recommend appropriate investigations, medical management or referral to a gynaecologist or endocrinologist.

Hormonal testing is selected according to clinical need rather than routinely recommended for every symptom.

Changes in weight and body composition can occur throughout life and may become more noticeable during midlife.

Ageing, changes in physical activity, sleep, nutrition and hormonal transitions can all influence metabolic health.

Our practitioners can help assess:

• Weight gain or difficulty managing weight
• Changes in abdominal fat distribution
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2 diabetes risk
• Cholesterol and lipid levels
• Blood pressure
• Metabolic syndrome
• Lifestyle and nutritional factors

Your personalised care plan may include nutritional guidance, physical activity recommendations, relevant investigations and medical management where clinically appropriate.

Where suitable, you may also benefit from Velora's dedicated Weight & Metabolic Health pathway and nutrition services.

Our focus is on sustainable improvements in health rather than short-term weight loss solutions.

Sexual wellbeing is an important aspect of overall health and quality of life.

Changes in hormones, medications, physical health, relationships and psychological wellbeing can influence sexual function and comfort.

Our practitioners provide a respectful and confidential environment to discuss:

• Reduced sexual desire
• Vaginal dryness
• Discomfort during intimacy
• Changes in sexual function
• Menopause-related genitourinary symptoms
• Sexual health and STI concerns
• Contraception and reproductive health questions
• The impact of chronic conditions on sexual wellbeing

Management may include education, appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle recommendations or referral to relevant specialists.

For women experiencing menopause-related vaginal or urinary symptoms, treatment options may include vaginal moisturisers, lubricants or local vaginal oestrogen where clinically appropriate.

Persistent fatigue and disrupted sleep can affect concentration, emotional wellbeing, physical activity and everyday functioning.

These symptoms may be associated with hormonal changes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, sleep disorders or underlying medical conditions.

Our practitioners can help investigate:

• Ongoing fatigue
• Poor sleep quality
• Insomnia symptoms
• Night sweats
• Reduced physical stamina
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in mood or motivation
• Possible nutritional or medical contributors

Your care plan may include targeted investigations, sleep management strategies, treatment of identified conditions or appropriate referrals.

Women's cognitive and emotional wellbeing can be influenced by sleep, stress, hormonal transitions and physical health.

Some women experience brain fog, reduced concentration or memory concerns during perimenopause and menopause.

Others may experience mood changes, anxiety symptoms or difficulties coping with everyday demands.

Our practitioners can assess concerns including:

• Brain fog and mental fatigue
• Reduced concentration
• Forgetfulness
• Stress and emotional wellbeing
• Low mood
• Anxiety symptoms
• Sleep-related cognitive difficulties
• The impact of chronic health conditions

Where appropriate, further investigations or referral to mental health or cognitive health specialists may be recommended.

Bone density and muscle mass can change with age, particularly during and after menopause.

Declining oestrogen levels can contribute to accelerated bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Our practitioners can help assess factors relating to:

• Bone health and osteoporosis risk
• Muscle strength and physical function
• Reduced mobility
• Joint discomfort
• Physical inactivity
• Nutritional adequacy
• Cardiovascular and metabolic health
• Age-appropriate preventative screening

Your care plan may include resistance exercise recommendations, nutritional guidance, fracture risk assessment or bone density testing where indicated.

Our focus is on maintaining independence, physical function and quality of life as you age.

Preventative healthcare provides opportunities to identify risk factors, discuss appropriate screening and address health concerns before they become more significant.

Depending on your age, medical history and individual circumstances, your practitioner may discuss:

• Cervical screening
• Breast cancer screening
• Bowel cancer screening
• Cardiovascular risk assessment
• Diabetes risk
• Bone health
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Sexual health screening
• Family history and inherited risk factors
• Lifestyle and nutritional wellbeing

Where physical examinations, screening procedures or diagnostic investigations are required, we can recommend appropriate in-person services.

• Full blood count
• Kidney and liver function
• Iron studies

• Blood glucose and HbA1c
• Cholesterol and lipid profile
• Relevant cardiovascular risk assessment

• Thyroid function
• Reproductive hormone testing where clinically indicated
• Other targeted endocrine investigations

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D where appropriate
• Selected nutritional markers

• Bone density assessment where indicated
• Age-appropriate cancer screening
• Other relevant investigations based on individual risk factors

Velora HealthConnect also provides access to private blood testing services for patients seeking additional health information.

All investigations are selected according to clinical relevance and interpreted within the context of your overall health.

Not every test is necessary or beneficial for every patient.