07 3857 3777 call for appointment

239 Stafford Road Brisbane 4053

Opening Hours Monday - Friday

Email reception@ubuntumedical.com.au

 Menopause Brisbane Northside

The Menopause services that the female GPs at Ubuntu Medical offer at evidenced based and best practice.  Both our GPs are extremely empathetic and caring and provide patients are range of different options to manage this change of life for females and their families.

For an initial appoint with the GP, it is recommended that you book a extended 30-40 minute appointment so that you have time to discuss with the doctor everything.  Please advise the receptionist when making the booking.

 

Menopause Symptoms In Women 

Unfortunately, not all women were created equal.  Around 30 -35% of women only experience mild symptoms during menopause.  At the other extreme, 30% of women will experience sever hot flushes and other menopause related symptoms.  You can expect to have these symptoms for between 10-15 years.  Some women experience them for even longer periods of time.  Don’t you think it is time to see you GP to get on top of the symptoms?

 

Other symptoms include

 

  • Vaginal Dryness
  • Sleep Disturbance
  • Weight Gain
  • Low Libedo
  • Irritability

 

Another symptom of Menopause is excessive sweating.  People who have an overactive thyroid or taken medication for depression in the past tend to experience this symptom more than others.  Your GP will order a routine blood test to determine the cause of your excessive sweating symptoms.  The most common cause of excessive sweating is the hormone changes that occur in menopause.

 

When Does Menopause Start? 

The first signs are a longer menstrual cycle and hot flushes.  Usually menopause is confirmed 1 year after the cessation of experiencing periods.  On average women will experience Menopause between 48-52 years of age.  Please note that it is not uncommon for women to experience menopause in their early 40s.

The onset of menopause can be an extremely emotional and distressing time for a women.  There are many women who experience mild to moderate depression symptoms during this time in their lives.   However, the most common symptom is tiredness which is often incorrectly diagnosed as depression.

 

How Can I Manage My Menopause? 

It is important to make healthy lifestyle choices during this time in your life.  Make sure to keep fit, have a healthy diet, drink alcohol in moderation and so some relaxing activity (e.g., yoga, meditation) a few times per week.

 

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy is when a patient is supplied with hormone supplements to boost naturally occurring hormones in their body.  This treatment is especially useful for women as they age.  This is because their body produces lower levels of hormones naturally.  The implementation of HRT will vary from women to women.
  • When should you consider HRT in managing menopause symptoms?  It should be noted that this treatment is the most effective way of addressing menopause symptoms.  It is our firm medical belief that the benefits of hormone therapy far out way the health risks.
  • HRT can also be used in premature menopause.
  • How does it work?  HRT replaces the hormones estrogen and progesterone that aren’t produced after menopause.  Both hormones are critically important for a women’s healthy functioning and can help address most of the menopause symptoms.
  • HRT can be taken as a gel/ cream, patches, tablets or through implants
  • Benefits of HRT are the reduction/ removal of menopause symptoms.  Also, reduces risk of Osteoporosis, reduces risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.

N.B., HRT won’t be appropriate for all women.  Your local GP or a doctor at Ubuntu Medical will be able to advise you once they have done a full health check-up.  Generally speaking, HRT won’t be recommended if there is a history of high blood pressure, liver disease, heart problems or cancer.

 

How Can A GP Treat Menopause?

If Menopause symptoms are severe enough they may need treating by a GP.  In terms of hot flushes Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) are prescribed.   SSRIs are to be taken in low doses and treats the symptoms of menopause by affecting the chemical messages in the CNS temperature regulation.  Your GP may also prescribe the “pill” to help manage your hot flushes as well.  There are also some alternative medicine approaches available that your GP can discuss with you.

 

At Ubuntu Medical, we also help with Menopause.