Mild symptoms, manageable day to day.
Lifestyle adjustments, vaginal moisturisers or pharmacy advice may help selected symptoms. Keep a short record so you can see what is changing.
Read NHS menopause guidanceHomeTreatmentsMenopause & perimenopause
Menopause & perimenopause · GP care
Make sense of the change. Find a plan that fits.
Hot flushes, sleep disruption, mood changes, vaginal dryness and changing periods can affect daily life in different ways. A GP review can bring the pattern together and help you weigh suitable treatment choices.
HRT can help many people, but the safest choice depends on your symptoms, medical history and preferences. Treatment and any prescription follow an individual assessment.
Choose a suitable route
Choose the right starting point.
Start with how much symptoms affect you, whether your periods have changed and whether there are any reasons you need prompt assessment.
Symptoms are affecting your life.
Arrange a review for troublesome flushes, sleep or mood changes, vaginal or urinary symptoms, cycle changes, or questions about HRT and non-hormonal options.
Explore GP appointmentsUnexpected or concerning bleeding.
Seek timely care for bleeding after menopause, very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods or after sex, or symptoms such as breathlessness, weakness or faintness.
Use NHS 111Symptoms can begin before periods stop and can overlap with thyroid problems, low mood, anaemia and other conditions. A review should not assume that every change is caused by menopause.
Notice the pattern
What changes the next step.
The combination, timing and impact of symptoms matters more than any single symptom.
Temperature & sleep
Hot flushes, night sweats and broken sleep can affect energy, concentration and work.
Periods & bleeding
Cycles may become irregular, closer together, further apart, heavier or lighter during perimenopause.
Mood & thinking
Anxiety, low mood, irritability, poor concentration and reduced confidence can occur and deserve support.
Body & sexual health
Vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, urinary symptoms, headaches, joint aches and palpitations may be relevant.
If symptoms start before age 45, tell the clinician. Earlier menopause can affect the assessment, treatment discussion and longer-term bone and heart health.
A focused GP assessment
Turn a list of symptoms into a joined-up review.
A consultation can clarify the likely stage, look for alternative explanations and agree what matters most to you.
Explore in-person GP care01
Map symptoms and cycles.
Discuss when changes began, your bleeding pattern, sleep, mood, sexual and urinary symptoms, and the effect on daily life.
02
Review health and preferences.
Cover migraines, blood clots, cancers, liver or heart conditions, medicines, contraception needs and what you want treatment to improve.
03
Decide on tests and follow-up.
Blood tests are not routinely needed for everyone over 45, but may help when symptoms are atypical, menopause is early or another condition is possible.
A proportionate plan
Choose treatment around your priorities.
Options can include lifestyle support, HRT, vaginal oestrogen or non-hormonal approaches. Benefits and risks should be discussed for you.
01
Hormone treatment
HRT can help symptoms such as flushes and night sweats. The type and route depend on whether you have a womb, your history and your preferences.
02
Local symptom relief
Vaginal moisturisers, lubricants and, when suitable, local vaginal oestrogen can help dryness and discomfort.
03
Non-hormonal support
Lifestyle changes, talking therapies and selected non-hormonal medicines may be considered when HRT is not wanted or not suitable.
Review is part of safe treatment. Report new or unexpected bleeding after starting HRT rather than changing or stopping prescribed treatment without advice.
Prepare for a useful review
Bring the pattern—and the outcome you want.
Note your last few periods, the symptoms that trouble you most and how they affect sleep, mood, relationships, work or exercise. Include treatments already tried.
Bring a medicines list and relevant personal or family history, including blood clots, breast or ovarian cancer, migraine, heart or liver disease. Say if contraception is still needed.
Explore GP appointments ↗Good to know
Questions about menopause care.
Practical answers to help you choose a sensible next step without trying to diagnose the concern yourself.
Do I need a blood test to diagnose menopause?
Often not. In otherwise healthy people aged 45 or over with typical symptoms, diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and menstrual history. Testing may be useful when menopause is early or another cause is possible.
Is HRT suitable for everyone?
No single treatment suits everyone. A clinician considers your symptoms, medical history, risk factors and preferences before discussing whether HRT, another option or specialist advice is appropriate.
Can I still become pregnant during perimenopause?
Yes. Ovulation can still happen while periods are irregular, so contraception may still be needed. A GP can discuss options and how long to continue them.
Should bleeding after menopause be checked?
Yes. Any bleeding after you have gone 12 months without a period should be assessed, even if it happens once or is only spotting.
Clinical information: NHS menopause and perimenopauseNHS HRTNHS postmenopausal bleeding. This information is general and does not replace individual medical advice.