The BMS has developed a series of short videos covering some of the key topics in menopause care by leading specialists in their field.
You can also view these videos on the BMS YouTube Channel.
What is the British Menopause Society?
British Menopause Society profile: the specialist authority on menopause and post reproductive health in the UK.
Menopause: The Change is Here – Interview with Haitham Hamoda
Louise Minchin interviews Haitham Hamoda, Trustee, British Menopause Society, as part of Menopause: The Change is Here for World Menopause Day 2021.
Menopause Explained
Dr Heather Currie MBE, Associate Specialist Gynaecologist, Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is the menopause? At what age does a woman usually go into the menopause? How is the menopause diagnosed? What are the symptoms of the menopause? How can the symptoms of the menopause be managed?
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
Mr Mike Savvas, Consultant Gynaecologist, King’s College Hospital, and Past Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: What is POI? How is POI diagnosed? What are the health implications of POI? How do patients with POI present? How is POI treated? Should I take HRT? Can I still get pregnant if I have POI? What are my fertility chances if I have POI? Is HRT contraceptive?
Menopause: The Change is Here – Premature menopause news item
While mid 40s is the average age to experience the transition into the menopause, for one in a hundred women it is earlier, sometimes at an age where fertility is the main focus. In a short film made for the British Menopause Society, Katy Haswell speaks to one woman about the effects a premature menopause has had on her.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Kathy Abernethy, Director of The Menopause Course, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is HRT? What are the types of HRT? Which preparation should I take? Is there a difference? How long could I take it for? If a patient had a hysterectomy would her HRT intake be different? What are the side effects? What are benefits of HRT? What are the risks of HRT?
Practical prescribing
Miss Lynne Robinson, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, and Past Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: What are the hormones included in HRT? What is oestrogen used for in HRT? How can oestrogen be taken? Should I take oestrogen by tablet, gel or patch? What is the difference? Do I need to take progestogen with HRT? How should I take it? Is there an advantage in taking natural (micronised) progesterone? Could the Mirena IUS be used as part of HRT?
Bioidentical hormones
Mr Haitham Hamoda, Consultant Gynaecologist, King’s College Hospital, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What are bioidentical hormones? What is the difference between compounded bioidentical hormones and conventionally prescribed HRT? Are there benefits with regulated bioidentical hormones? Can I get bioidentical / body similar hormone preparations on the NHS?
Progestogens
Mr Haitham Hamoda, Consultant Gynaecologist, King’s College Hospital, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: Why do you need to take progestogen with HRT? Are all progestogens used for the purpose of systemic HRT similar in the way they work and in their risk profiles? Can progestogens be administered vaginally or by other non-oral ways? Can progesterone only contraceptive pills be used as an equivalent alternative for the purpose of HRT? Do women on high doses of estrogen require a proportionate increase in the progestogen dose?
Testosterone explained
Prof Nick Panay, Consultant Gynaecologist, Imperial College and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals London, President – International Menopause Society and Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: What is testosterone and what is its role in women? Is testosterone replacement effective in managing menopausal symptoms? What symptoms does it help with? Is testosterone replacement safe? Are there side effects with testosterone replacement? How long could it be taken for? How should testosterone therapy be monitored in women? How is testosterone replacement given? What are the currently available options in the UK?
Complementary and alternative therapies
Miss Joan Pitkin, Reader, Imperial College, and Past Chairman – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What are complementary & alternative therapies? Should I take these instead of HRT? Are they as effective as HRT? Are complementary & alternative therapies safe? Are complementary & alternative therapies safe to take if I have a history of breast cancer? What complementary and alternative treatments could I use for treating vaginal dryness? What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)? Is CBT effective? What other measures could I consider (lifestyle factors / diet / exercise)?
Menopause: Weight gain, nutrition and lifestyle
Nigel Denby, Registered Dietician, answers a number of Frequently Asked Questions relating to nutrition, exercise, weight gain and overall well-being.
HRT and bleeding
Dr Paula Briggs, Consultant in Sexual & Reproductive Health, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Immediate Past Chair – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What are the bleeding patterns that could be expected with HRT? I am taking a cyclical HRT preparation that is giving me a monthly bleed. Can I change to a non-bleed preparation? Is bleeding in the first few months of starting HRT a cause for concern? When does this need to be investigated? What are the causes of irregular bleeding in women on HRT? What investigations need to be carried out if I have ongoing irregular bleeding on HRT? Do I need to stop HRT or change how I take it if I have irregular bleeding on HRT?
HRT and the risk of breast cancer
Miss Jo Marsden, Consultant Breast Surgeon (retired), and Past Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: What is the risk of breast cancer with HRT? Is there a difference in the risk of breast cancer with oestrogen only HRT (in women who had a hysterectomy) compared to that with combined oestrogen progestogen HRT? How does the risk of breast with HRT compare to the risk of breast cancer with other lifestyle factors such as alcohol intake and obesity? Should I reduce the dose of my HRT intake to lower my risk of breast cancer with HRT? I went into the menopause in my early 40s. My doctor recommended I take HRT but I concerned about the risks. Will HRT increase my risk of breast cancer? Does vaginal oestrogen intake increase the risk of breast cancer?
Post cancer treatments
Dr Paula Briggs, Consultant in Sexual & Reproductive Health, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Immediate Past Chair – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: Are treatments for urogenital atrophy safe to use in women with a history of a hormone dependent cancer? What about urogenital atrophy treatment for women with a history of non-hormonal dependent cancer? Can women with a history of breast cancer use HRT? In a patient who has had surgical treatment for low grade/stage endometrioid endometrial cancer, is HRT contraindicated? Can you give advice in relation to menopause management after surgical management for ovarian cancer? Is hormonal therapy okay after cervical cancer? What about HRT for women who have been treated for bladder cancer?
Urogenital atrophy
Mr Tim Hillard, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, University Hospitals Dorset, Poole, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is urogenital atrophy? And what causes it? What are the symptoms of urogenital atrophy? How can urogenital atrophy be treated? What doses of vaginal oestrogen are usually given? How long can vaginal oestrogen treatment be continued for? Does treatment need to be monitored / is there a need for endometrial protection? Is there an increased risk of breast cancer with vaginal oestrogens? Can alternative / non hormonal options be used to treat urogenital atrophy (with / instead of vaginal oestrogen?
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
Prof John Stevenson, Consultant Metabolic Physician, Royal Brompton Hospital, Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is CHD? How can I reduce my risk for CHD? Does HRT affect CHD? I am at high risk for CHD, is it safe for me to take HRT? What type of HRT should I take? I have a history of high blood pressure, is it safe for me to take HRT?
Osteoporosis
Prof John Stevenson, Consultant Metabolic Physician, Royal Brompton Hospital, Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is osteoporosis? Does the menopause effect osteoporosis / bone health? Do I need to have my bone density checked? How would that be assessed? How is osteoporosis treated? Does HRT help treat osteoporosis? What other measures can I take to improve my bone health?
Endometriosis
Mr Haitham Hamoda, Consultant Gynaecologist, King’s College Hospital, and Trustee – British Menopause Society, answers these FAQs: What is endometriosis? How common is endometriosis and how does it present? How is endometriosis treated? What happens to endometriosis after the menopause? How does HRT intake affect endometriosis? Can women with endometriosis take HRT?
Sleep
Dr Zoe Schaedel, GP, Brighton & Hove NHS Community Menopause Clinic and Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: How is sleep affected by the menopause transition? What are the causes of poor sleep? Are there other sleep disorders that occur during menopause? Are any tests needed? What can I do to help my own sleep? Which Treatments can help with sleep during the menopause? What is CBT-I? What else can help?
Headaches, migraines and the menopause
Prof Anne MacGregor, Specialist in Headaches & Women’s Health, Barts Health NHS Trust, and Past Member – BMS medical advisory council, answers these FAQs: What are migraines? What is migraine with an aura? My migraines / headaches have worsened since the menopause – is this common? Is it safe to take HRT if I have migraines / migraine with aura? What type of HRT should I take?