Primary Care Network

Menopause and Perimenopause

Menopause & Perimenopause Support

Menopause and perimenopause are natural stages of life that affect every woman differently. Symptoms can begin months or even years before periods stop and may include hot flushes, sleep disturbance, low mood, anxiety, brain fog, joint pain and changes in periods. Accessing the right information and support can make a significant difference to wellbeing and quality of life.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when hormone levels begin to change. Periods may become irregular and symptoms can fluctuate. This stage can last several years.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is confirmed when a woman has not had a period for 12 months. Symptoms may continue afterwards, but effective treatments and lifestyle support are available.

Support, Advice and Reliable Information

We encourage patients to access trusted national resources for guidance, education and support:

  • Menopause Support – Supporting You Through Change – provides clear information, workplace guidance, community support and education to help women navigate menopause confidently.
  • The Menopause Charity – offers evidence-based medical information, symptom guidance, treatment options and practical resources to support women and healthcare professionals.

These organisations provide reliable, up-to-date information and can help you feel informed and supported when making decisions about your health.

Treatment Options

Many women benefit from lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, sleep support and stress management.
Some may choose medical treatments, including Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which can effectively reduce symptoms for many women after clinical assessment.

If symptoms are affecting your daily life, please speak to your GP or our Women’s Health Hub for personalised advice and treatment options.


Get a prescription prepayment certificate.

You can get an HRT prescription prepayment certificate (HRT PPC) from the NHS if you’ve been prescribed an eligible hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicine.

Click the link to find out more: –


When to Seek Help

Please contact your GP or Women’s Health Hub if you:

  • Have troublesome menopause symptoms
  • Notice unexpected bleeding after menopause
  • Feel low, anxious or unable to cope
  • Would like advice about HRT or other treatments

You do not need to manage menopause alone, support and effective treatments are available.

Women’s Health Services

If you want to discuss any of these services further, please contact your GP practice to discuss further.