Chiswick GP sets up new Menopause Clinic in Chiswick

Image above: Dr Rebecca Hayes

Rebecca Hayes sets up the Chiswick Menopause Clinic

Rebecca Hayes, a GP who specialises in menopause, is setting up her own clinic, the Chiswick Menopause Clinic, to give women information about what is available by way of help in dealing with the affects of the change.

“So much has changed in the past five years” she told The Chiswick Calendar, “and many of the HRT [Hormone Replacement Therapy] options are available on the NHS.”

As well as the clinic, she is setting up a monthly support group, to which all women are welcome, to share information freely.

Rebecca has been working part time in the NHS at a medical practice in Knightsbridge and part time at Prime Health partners, a private practice in Hampstead. She is a member of the British Menopause Society and became a specialist in menopause when she worked in occupational health management and was asked to train specifically in this area to advise a very forward-looking bank with its own in-house menopause clinic.

“There is so much noise about HRT treatments” she told The Chiswick Calendar. “There is so much confusing and conflicting information.

“There are two camps – the first that HRT is wonderful and totally safe and all women should be on it; the second more cautious.

“There is a middle ground and you can find out whether it’s right for you. There is an element of trial and error; It’s a process.”

Image above: When not workign as a doctor, Rebecca likes to grow dahlias on her allotment

Free menopause support group

There has been a lot of talk about the risk of blood clots, breast cancer and cardiovascular disease which has put women off, but she says:

“HRT options have come on a lot in the past five years.”

The availability of topical applications – creams, patches and sprays – has been a game-changer. As a result, specialising in menopause enables her to practice positive and pre-emptive medicine:

“I enjoy menopause. I find it gratifying.”

It is not all about women continuing to feel sexy once their periods have stopped, she says. The side effects women experience range from hot flushes and chills, to sleep problems, mood changes and weight gain, but consultations with women about menopause can also discover and pre-empt more serious, long term conditions in later life, by picking up signs of pre-diabetes, hypertension and osteoparosis.

“Women are too busy to put their health first, but the kind of contraception you have in your 20s and 30s is not necessarily what it best for you later on. It is good to have a general MOT.”

Rebecca has today launched her new clinic, which will be in the Chiswick Medical Centre, Bond House, 347-353 Chiswick High Road, W4 4HS. An initial menopause assessment lasting one hour costs £275, during which she will carry out a detailed review of your symptoms and your needs.

Follow up consultations of 30 minutes each, costing £175, will offer a full review of any treatment. These are often 6-12 weeks after the first consultation to allow enough time to assess response to any treatment.

Many of the treatments on offer are available through the NHS she says.

Her next free monthly support group takes place on Tuesday, 21 March at No 197 Chiswick Fire Station, Old Market Place, from 8-9pm. I asked her if she is being paid to promote the products of particular drug companies and she said not. She has a demonstration box with a range of products from different companies and is looking to offer “reliable, balanced information” so women can work out whether HRT is for them.

Contact Rebecca through her website.

chiswickmenopauseclinic.co.uk

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