Perimenopause Menopause Clinic
Understand what’s changing and feel empowered to take control of your health.
Devon Medical Centre is here to support and advocate for women. Perimenopause and menopause can bring changes that affect your body, wellbeing and everyday life. We provide personalised, evidence-based care to help you understand what you're experiencing, talk through your concerns and develop a plan that's right for you.
Perimenopause is the transition towards menopause/ruahinetanga and can begin 7 to 10 years before your last period sometimes starting in your early 40s or even earlier. It is caused by changes in levels of oestrogen and progesterone, and you may still have regular or irregular periods during this time.
Menopause/Ruahinetanga is reached when you have gone 12 months without a menstrual period/īkura. The timing varies from person to person, and the symptoms you experience can change throughout the transition.
Understanding the changes
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Changes to your periods, including heavier, lighter, more frequent or irregular periods
Hot flushes and night sweats
Poor sleep
Brain fog, difficulty concentrating or memory changes
Low mood, anxiety, irritability, mood swings or panic attacks
Reduced energy
Headaches or migraines
Muscle and joint aches
Changes to your skin and hair
Changes in libido or vaginal symptoms, including dryness, discomfort or pain during sex
Worsening PMS symptoms
Urinary symptoms
Heart palpitations
If you're noticing changes and want to better understand what's happening, an appointment gives you time to talk through your concerns and explore what support may be right for you.
How is Perimenopause and Menopause diagnosed?
For women over 45, perimenopause and menopause/ruahinetanga are generally diagnosed based on symptoms and changes to the menstrual cycle. Hormone levels can fluctuate significantly during this time, so blood tests are not routinely needed to diagnose perimenopause or menopause/ruahinetanga in most women over 45. Tess James our Pharmacist Prescriber (PG Certificate in Menopausal Medicine) will discuss whether any tests are appropriate for you.
Why Choose Our Clinic?
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Your care is tailored to your health, symptoms, preferences and goals, with an evidence-based approach.
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Our 45-minute initial consultation gives you space to discuss your concerns, ask questions and understand your options.
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You'll have continuity with the same clinician as you work through your care.
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We look beyond individual symptoms, considering your wider health, lifestyle and wellbeing.
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Perimenopause and Menopause/Ruahinetanga can be a personal topic. We provide a space where you can feel comfortable having open, honest conversations about your health.
Your perimenopause and menopause/ruahinetanga care is provided by Tess James, our pharmacist prescriber, who holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Menopausal Medicine.
Care with Tess James
Before your first visit:
You may be asked to complete a symptom questionnaire
Blood tests aren't routinely needed to diagnose perimenopause or menopause/ruahinetanga for most women over 45, but may be recommended if clinically appropriate.
Partners or support people are welcome to attend if you wish
What to expect
Your tailored care package
Includes:
45-minute initial consultation
A comprehensive assessment and personalised management plan tailored to your goals.
6-week virtual follow-up
Review your progress, adjust your management plan if necessary, and discuss any questions or concerns.
3-month in-person follow-up
Review your response to the plan, fine-tune your care and structure ongoing management.
Package: $420
Available to both registered and casual patients.
Any follow-up appointments outside of this package will be charged at the normal cost of your regular appointments. This will vary for registered and non-registered patients.
Your personalised management plan
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Nutrition and weight management
Exercise and physical activity
Sleep optimisation
Stress management and wellbeing
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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
Non-hormonal options
Symptom-specific therapies
We'll work together to develop a plan that reflects your health, preferences and goals. This may include:
There are a range of options to consider, depending on your symptoms, health, preferences and whether HRT is appropriate for you.
Understanding can be the first step
A recent menopause/ruahinetanga education session led by Tess showed the value of having the opportunity to talk openly, ask questions and better understand perimenopause and menopause/ruahinetanga.
Following the session, attendees told us they were motivated to take practical steps for their own health – from booking an appointment to discuss HRT or symptom options, to prioritising their wellbeing and having more open conversations with partners, family and colleagues.
For some, it also prompted a better understanding of how they could support someone close to them.
Understanding what's happening can be the first step towards feeling more confident about your health and the choices available to you.
Our Perimenopause Menopause Clinic may be right for you if you:
Are experiencing changes associated with perimenopause or menopause
Want to better understand what's happening with your health
Are considering Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or other treatment options
Would like a medication review or second opinion
Are looking for a holistic, structured, and evidence-based personalised approach to menopause care
Is this service right for you?
Ready to take the next step?
Book an appointment with Tess to discuss symptoms, concerns and options.
Have a question first?
Get in touch to find out more about the clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
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All GP's can discuss and provide support for perimenopause, however seeing a health professional with a specialist interest in perimenopause (like our pharmacist prescriber Tess James, with a post graduate certificate in menopause medicine) means you have access to the most relevant and up to date evidence. This can also be advantageous to work through any concerns or adverse effects that may occur when using medicines.
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All GP's can discuss and provide support for perimenopause. Consider seeing a health professional with a special interest in menopause for an in depth consultation. This may include a women's health doctor or in our case at Devon Medical, our pharmacist prescriber, Tess James with a post graduate certificate in menopause medicine.
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There are several options for managing perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms that can be tailored to your needs. These can include a range of options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as menopause hormonal therapy (MHT) as well as non-hormonal options. Lifestyle changes are also important to consider as these can have a positive effect on your experience. A consultation is a great place to discuss the most suitable option for you and consider the risks and benefits of each.
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This is a tailored approach and often dependent on the symptoms you are experiencing. A consultation is a great place to discuss the most suitable option for you and consider the risks and benefits of each. Therapy options will vary between individuals, for example if you have a history of breast cancer, versus no breast cancer, this may have an impact on what is available for you.
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A nurse practitioner may be able to support you with menopause, especially if they have a special interest or additional qualifications in this area. At Devon Medical, we have our pharmacist prescriber, Tess James with a post graduate certificate in menopause medicine, who can support you on this journey and provide individualised and tailored care, that is evidence based and up to date.
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Hormonal blood tests are not routinely needed to diagnose perimenopause or menopause (especially over the age for 45), diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and menstrual cycle changes. Hormone levels fluctuate during perimenopause so a blood test may not provide a useful picture of what’s happening. Ideally, individual symptoms and health should be considered before discussing whether tests are appropriate. A consultation is a great place to discuss the most suitable option for you.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you're ready to book an appointment or would like to find out more first, the Devon Medical team is here to support you.
Enquire about Perimenopause and Menopause Care
Have a question about our perimenopause and menopause service? Complete the form and our team will be in touch.