​
What is Menopause & Perimenopause ?
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate — often for several years before periods stop.
Menopause is reached when you’ve had 12 months without a period.
Symtoms can include:
Hot Flushes & Night Sweats
This is one of the most common menopause symptoms, characterised by sudden feelings of warmth across the body, particularly the face, neck and chest. Hot flushes & night sweats can vary in frequency and intensity from person to person.
Mood Changes, Anxiety & Brain Fog
Many women report feelings of sadness, irritability, or anxiety. These can be due to hormonal fluctuations but can also be influenced by sleep disruptions from other symptoms. Some women may experience ‘brain fog’ including challenges with focus, recalling information, or completing tasks.
Poor Sleep & Fatigue
Apart from night sweats, you may experience insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns, which can in turn lead to fatigue.
​
Vaginal Dryness & Low Libido
Reduced oestrogen levels can lead to discomfort, itching, or pain, particularly during intercourse. Oestrogen and testosterone are both important hormones for libido, so you may find your sex drive declines during perimenopause and menopause.
Joint aches and pains
Hormonal changes can cause inflammation in joints, leading to discomfort and pain.
These are just a few of the symptoms that can occur during perimenopause and menopause.
Common Questions
Here are some of the most common questions answered for you
Is Bloating on HRT normal ?
Yes, bloating can be a common side effect when starting HRT or changing doses, but it often improves as your body adjusts to the hormones.
Is is common to have sore breasts on HRT
Yes, breast tenderness or soreness is a common side effect when starting HRT or changing doses, but it usually settles within a few weeks to months as your body adjusts.
Is it normal to bleed on HRT ?
Yes, some bleeding or spotting can be normal when starting HRT or changing your dose, particularly in the first 3–6 months, and if you are still perimenopausal you may also continue to have your normal periods, but any persistent, heavy, or unexpected bleeding should be reviewed by a healthcare professional.
Can Menopause increase your risk of Osteoporosis?
Yes, menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis because falling oestrogen levels can lead to a loss of bone density, making bones weaker and more prone to fractures over time, and starting HRT can help protect bone health and reduce this risk by replacing declining hormone levels.
Can I take HRT if I have a history of Breast Cancer ?
NICE guidance on early and locally advanced breast cancer states HRT should not be routinely offered women with menopausal symptoms and a history of breast cancer [3]. In exceptional circumstances, it adds, HRT can be offered to women with severe menopausal symptoms and with whom the associated risks have been discussed
Hormone coils: all about coils, contraception and HRT
Whether you are thinking about a hormone coil for contraception, relief from heavy or painful periods, or — in the case of the Mirena coil — as part of your hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this guide will help you understand your options.
What is a hormone coil, and how does it work ?
A hormone coil is a small, flexible T-shaped device that is placed inside the womb. It releases a low, steady dose of progestogen, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. This works by thickening the mucus in the cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg, while also thinning the lining of the womb to reduce the chance of pregnancy. In some women, it may also prevent ovulation.
What are the benefits of having a hormone coil fitted ?
Hormone coils are a highly effective form of contraception and can last for up to eight years, depending on the type fitted. They can also help manage heavy or painful periods, and the Mirena coil can be used as the progesterone component of HRT.
Mirena coil
The Mirena coil is one of several hormone-releasing coils available and can have a number of benefits during perimenopause. It may be used as contraception, as a treatment for heavy periods — often reducing blood loss significantly over time — and as the progesterone component of HRT when used alongside oestrogen, and sometimes testosterone, to help protect the lining of the womb.
When used as part of HRT, the Mirena coil should be replaced after five years. If it is being used only for contraception, it can remain effective for up to eight years, and if it is being used solely to manage heavy periods, it is usually effective for five years.
Levosert and Benilexa 
Levosert and Benilexa are hormone-releasing coils that contain the same dose of progestogen as the Mirena coil — 52 mg of levonorgestrel. Like the Mirena, they can be used for contraception, to help manage heavy periods, or as part of HRT. The main difference is that when used specifically for heavy periods, they have been shown to be effective for up to three years, compared with five years for the Mirena coil.
Kyleena coil
Kyleena is a hormone-releasing coil that contains a lower dose of progestogen than the Mirena coil and is used for contraception only. It is slightly smaller in size and is replaced every five years, which may make it a more suitable option for women who have not previously been pregnant.
Hormone coils: all about coils, contraception and HRT
Whether you are thinking about a hormone coil for contraception, relief from heavy or painful periods, or — in the case of the Mirena coil — as part of your hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this guide will help you understand your options.
How is a coil is fitted?
Fitting a coil is a straightforward procedure that usually takes around 20 minutes. A local anaesthetic gel can be used to help keep you as comfortable as possible during the fitting.
A speculum, similar to the one used during cervical screening, is gently inserted into the vagina so the coil can be placed through the cervix and into the womb. The coil has two fine threads attached, which sit at the top of the vagina. These allow you or your healthcare professional to check that the coil is in place and make removal easier when required.
Does it hurt having a coil fitted?
It is common to experience some period-like discomfort during and after a coil fitting, which is why a local anaesthetic gel may be used to help make the procedure more comfortable. Some light bleeding afterwards is also normal, and over-the-counter pain relief can help ease any cramping or period-like pain.
Women using this type of coil can also use HRT and testosterone if needed. As the progestogen in these coils mainly works locally within the womb, some women may still benefit from taking additional progesterone orally or vaginally, and this is generally considered safe when advised by a healthcare professional.
What is a copper coil and how does it work as a contraceptive?
The copper coil is a T-shaped plastic device which has areas coated in copper and is fitted into your womb. The copper stops sperm from surviving in your cervix or womb. The presence of the device in your uterus can also stop any fertilised egg implanting.
What are the benefits of having a copper coil fitted?
The copper coil is a highly effective form of contraception that can last between five and ten years or longer, depending on the type fitted and your age at the time of insertion. As it does not contain hormones, it can be a preferred option for women who would rather avoid hormonal contraception.
Some copper coils designed to last for five years are smaller in size, which may make them more suitable for women who have not previously had children.
How is a coil fitted and does it hurt
A copper coil is fitted during a simple procedure that usually takes around 20 minutes. A speculum is gently inserted into the vagina, similar to during cervical screening, and the coil is placed through the cervix into the womb.
Some women experience period-like cramping or discomfort during and after the fitting, but this is usually short-lived. A local anaesthetic gel can be used to help make the procedure more comfortable, and over-the-counter pain relief may help afterwards if needed.