Service ‘bridges the gap’ for one in 20 women with complex needs
A Stockton clinic which bridges the gap between the NHS and unaffordable private health care has launched a new dedicated menopause clinic, to meet the demands of women who rightly refuse to accept they should just ‘put up’ with symptoms.
Dr Jahnavi Veeramasuneni will holistically support women across Teesside to address their unique and individual concerns and help them manage what can be an incredibly difficult stage in their lives, from within Consultants Choice Clinic, Stockton.
The GP has always had a special interest in women’s health and has specialist qualifications in menopause care.
She holds the Menopause Care Professional Diploma (MCPD) from the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoFSRH), the British Menopause Society Certificate in Menopause Care, and postgraduate diplomas in family planning and women’s health.
Dr Veeramasuneni says: “Until now, women in Teesside with complex menopause problems – women whose symptoms require specialist menopause assessment beyond routine primary care – have had to travel as far afield as Durham, York or Newcastle to see a qualified menopause specialist.
“Women with more complex menopause needs – for example after breast cancer, with a history of blood clots or stroke, premature menopause, surgical menopause, endometriosis, or persistent symptoms despite treatment – may benefit from assessment by a clinician with advanced training in menopause care, which is now a recognised area of specialist practice across both primary care and gynaecology.
“Women from Teesside have been referred as far as Newcastle and sometimes, Newcastle practitioners won’t see women from our area, so the care women receive in relation to menopause has been a bit patchy.”
Through her work at Maggie’s Cancer Centre and now at Consultants Choice Clinic, Dr Veeramasuneni hopes to help improve access to specialist support for women with complex menopause symptoms, including those affected by cancer treatment.
She has been holding workshops at Maggie’s Cancer Centre, formerly Trinity Holistic Centre on the James Cook University Hospital site in Middlesbrough, for women who have had surgery or chemotherapy for female cancers.
Dr Veeramasuneni says these women often have more severe menopause symptoms than someone who goes through the transition over a seven to 10-year period.
“To make things even more difficult, a lot of women can’t have HRT after cancer treatment or surgery, as it is contraindicated with the cancer,” she says.
“It’s very difficult for these women to manage their symptoms, such as hot flushes.
“Many women understandably believe that all hormone treatments are completely off limits after cancer.
“In reality, management needs to be individualised and for some women, carefully selected treatments such as vaginal oestrogen may be appropriate after discussion with their oncology team and in line with current guidance, while others may benefit from effective non-hormonal treatments.”
Dr Veeramasuneni is also able to join the dots for women who have experienced several GP consultations about different ailments or symptoms, which are then treated in isolation rather than as part of the wider diagnosis of menopause.
As a certified practitioner with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM), she is also able to competently advise women on nutrition and exercise and reducing harmful substances and foods.
“I look at the whole picture – symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and individual goals – to develop a personalised treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, hormone therapy where appropriate, or non-hormonal options,” she says.
“Testosterone can be an appropriate treatment for carefully selected women with persistent low sexual desire after other factors have been addressed, although it’s no longer an area of specialist prescribing. There is reluctance to prescribe it yet.
“There is also a new type of treatment licenced for hot flushes for women who can’t take HRT, but it will take a while before it filters into day-to-day, mainstream practice.”
Dr Veeramasuneni’s clinic is open to any woman over 40 who recognises something is changing and they are confused about what’s happening to them.
“It could be that they are waking up at 3am anxious, experiencing sudden heat waves, sometimes at night but also during the day, or they may have new joint aches and pains they didn’t have before,” she says.
“They might suddenly experience performance problems at work and can’t understand why they suddenly can’t take the pressure.
“If someone puts all these things together like the pieces of a jigsaw, I can support them holistically, looking at their overall lifestyle and sleep patterns and they may not need HRT at all.”
The specialist doctor adds perimenopause is the best time to seek help – and the solutions don’t always involve HRT, although some women do get great benefits from this course of treatment.
She adds that in her experience, sometimes women in their early forties are told by GPs they are “too young” for HRT, when in fact, their symptoms would improve if they used it.
However, at the same time, some simple lifestyle adjustments can work just as well.
“Nobody should be put off from using HRT if it is providing benefits,” says Dr Veeramasuneni.
“I would say, if you are feeling differently in your body to how you did a couple of years ago, you should seek help and be supported to address all your symptoms at once.
“That is where a menopause specialist like me can really help, whether you need testosterone for your libido which we can prescribe at the right quantity for women or if you require a holistic approach to your overall lifestyle and healthcare.”
Women whose migraines or periods are getting worse in their 40s and beyond can also be supported by Dr Veeramasuneni, who is able to offer a contraceptive coil as a treatment for heavy periods if required.
She estimates at least 5% of women – or one in 20 – require a “multidisciplinary approach” to their menopause symptoms.
Dr Veeramasuneni says: “Whatever complex scenarios women are experiencing with their health in midlife, the best thing they can do is to have a conversation with someone who understands women’s health.
“A menopause specialist has undertaken additional dedicated training in menopause care and can help women navigate more complex situations where symptoms, medical conditions and treatment options require a highly individualised approach.”
The doctor added she is “really excited” to be able to provide this specialist menopause service from Consultants Choice Clinic.
“When I met the team here, I felt like I was in the right place and I feel most at home with the team of women here,” she said.
“Women need more help at this stage in their lives and Hailey Dobbs, the managing director at Consultants Choice Clinic really understands this.
Consultants Choice Clinic, which is based at Surtees Business Park is hosting its first ladies only ‘menopause morning’ on Wednesday 1st July from 9.30am-11.30am. Light refreshments will be provided and there will be opportunities for open networking and round the room networking, as well as the chance to meet Dr Veeramasuneni.
To book a place, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ladies-only-networking-event-tickets-1992419095148?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more information on Consultants Choice Clinic’s five-star rated services, visit www.consultantschoice.co.uk