Menopause Review
To get started with your menopause review, just fill out the short form below. We’ll ask you a few questions to help you get started. In-person attendance at the practice is not required at this stage.
As part of this online review, you’ll need to record your blood pressure using a home monitor. We’ve included some guidance on how to do this. If you’re unable to take a reading at home, please book an appointment at the practice at your earliest convenience. We’ll need this information before we can safely issue your next prescription.
Our clinical team at Barclay Medical Practice actively monitors and reviews all online menopause review submissions. Once you send yours in, one of our clinicians will check your responses and reach out by phone or text if any changes to your treatment or further support are needed.
Menopause is when your periods stop due to a decline in hormone levels. It affects anyone with periods, and usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.
Menopause can occur naturally, or due to medical reasons such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy or a genetic reason. Sometimes the reason is unknown.
The transition phase before menopause is known as perimenopause. This is when your hormones fluctuate and symptoms begin—which may include hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, joint and muscle discomfort, pain during sex, moodiness and irritability, forgetfulness, difficultly concentrating, or a combination of these. You officially reach menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 months.
Menopausal symptoms can start years before menopause and continue afterwards. They can affect your daily life, work and relationships.
While menopause is a natural process, there are ways to manage the discomfort caused by menopausal symptoms. Lifestyle changes, self-care and medical treatments—such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—can help restore hormone levels. If you are concerned about your symptoms, follow up with one of our clinicians.
Managing menopause symptoms is a personal decision and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people find they do not need treatment. Others may explore options like lifestyle changes (such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and regular exercise), talking therapy to help with low mood, non-hormonal medications (such as lubricants or creams to treat vaginal dryness), or HRT. Find out more about menopausal symptom management here.
The best approach for you depends on your symptoms, medical history and personal preferences. A conversation with one of our clinicians can help you weigh up your options and decide what feels right.
Whatever you choose, it’s important to check in regularly by completing online reviews like this one. Your needs may change over time and your treatment plan should evolve with you.
As part of your menopause review, you will be asked to check your blood pressure at home using a blood pressure monitor. If it’s your first time doing this, here are some simple instructions to guide you.
These steps apply to most clinically-validated blood pressure monitors. Individual monitor settings may vary.
- In order to take an accurate blood pressure reading, make sure that you’re resting and that you’re not feeling anxious or stressed.
- Sit upright in a chair with your back comfortably positioned against the back of the chair, and place your feet flat on the floor.
- Rest your arm on a table or any flat surface. Make sure your hand and arm are relaxed. Do not clench your fist.
- Place the cuff over your upper arm and tighten the cuff over your arm, making sure you can fit two fingers underneath the cuff. You want the cuff to be over the upper part of your arm with the tubing leading down the centre or slightly to the right of your arm. Once you’ve positioned your arm correctly and put on the cuff, make sure to relax your body and to keep still and quiet, otherwise the accuracy of your reading might be affected.
- Whenever you’re ready, press the “on” button, followed by the “start” button. You’ll feel the cuff inflate quite rapidly. You may also feel slight discomfort as the cuff inflates and deflates automatically, but this will only be for a short period of time. If it becomes too uncomfortable for you, just press the “stop” button and the cuff will instantly deflate.
- Once you get your reading, record it.
- (Optional) Wait 5–10 minutes, then take your blood pressure again by repeating steps 2 to 6. This helps to make sure the readings you get are similar and accurate, and is especially useful if this is your first time taking your own blood pressure at home.
Blood pressure (BP) is given in two numbers:
- Systolic pressure – The pressure when your heart pushes blood out around your body
- Diastolic pressure – The pressure when your heart rests between beats and blood is pushed around your heart
The systolic pressure is always the highest number and it is always given first. For example, a blood pressure reading given as 120 over 80 or 120/80 means a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80.
You will need an at-home blood pressure monitor to take your own readings and use them to complete your menopause review. If you don’t have one yet, you can find a wide range of clinically-validated blood pressure monitors at most pharmacies and online.
Unable to take a reading at home? Book an appointment with us so we can help you do this in the practice.
