Berkshire Menopause Clinic

Berkshire Menopause Clinic Specialist women's health and clinic for South Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire We will tailor treatments specific to your needs.

⭐We are a exclusively a private medical women's health and menopause service based in the beautiful town of Henley-on-Thames, near Reading, Berkshire. Offering both virtual and face-to-face clinic appointments, we endeavour to provide easy access for all our patients.

⭐Led by Dr Shilpa McQuillan, who is an accredited menopause specialist and community gynaecologist, we are devoted to providing personalised, professional, and high quality menopause, perimenopause and gynaecology care across the south of England. Our specialist is listed and recommended by the British Menopause Society

⭐All of our advice and treatment plans are evidence-based and are in line with National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and British Menopause Society (BMS) recommendations. We only prescribe medications regulated and governed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Our ethos is a holistic approach, encompassing all aspects of women's healthcare including lifestyle advice, non-hormonal medicines, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). OUR SERVICES:
⭐We use evidence-based care and a holistic approach. We encompass lifestyle advice, non-hormonal medicines, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and tailor treatments specific to your needs.

⭐We aim to provide a 'one-stop clinic' where all your needs can be met in one place. Our services include menopause and gynaecology consultations, cervical screening and breast checks, prescriptions, blood tests, and a full range of contraceptive services including implant and coil fittings. Dr McQuillan specialises in complex cases including those with previous difficult or unsuccessful coil or cervical screening procedures. Additionally, we are able to direct you for private investigation and imaging services should you require these.

*Please visit our website for more details about our services, to book an appointment, and for lots of educational resources* www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

Are you suffering from lesser known perimenopause symptoms such as skin, hair and nail changes? For many, the depletion ...
06/12/2025

Are you suffering from lesser known perimenopause symptoms such as skin, hair and nail changes? For many, the depletion in hormones such as oestrogen can directly cause these changes. For some, it's stress on the body due to the other changes perimenopause causes.
I see this so often in clinic, with women saying they feel guilty or 'vain' for even mentioning it as its not seen as a major health problem.
But no symptom should be dismissed. If its affecting how you feel in your self, it's important. For some, these changes can cause loss of confidence.

There are various treatments such as HRT and non hormonal medicines. Stress, lack of exercise (which leads to poor blood flow), and poor nutrition can also play a huge impact, and modifying these will often help.
The next step, may be to check you are not deficient in for example iron or b12.
Some women find benefit from over the counter creams and shampoos. Sometimes these only provide temporary relief, so be careful not to get drawn in by clever advertising.
I have recently written an article on hair loss, so check out the website for these free resources

At Berkshire Menopause Clinic, we are here to listen.
For specialist support with your symptoms, book an appointment with our specialist who can guide you through treatments options and give you the personalised care you deserve
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

Declining oestrogen levels during menopause can cause mouth and gum issues. This is because oestrogen plays a role in ma...
04/12/2025

Declining oestrogen levels during menopause can cause mouth and gum issues. This is because oestrogen plays a role in maintaining gum health and the bones that support teeth.
Such issues include:
Inflamed and sensitive gums, leading to bleeding; Dry mouth; Changes to taste buds; Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and burning tongue; Jaw bone weakness

How can you manage this?
There are some simple measures, which you may already be doing in your daily routine such as brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste; Flossing regularly; attending regular dental check-ups

💬Other supportive measures include:
✅Eating a healthy varied diet low in sugar, high in whole grains and varied in different coloured vegetables for different vitamins and minerals that can help support gum and bine health
✅Taking Vitamin D and having enough calcium in your diet, both of which help support bone health
✅Quit smoking if you smoke
✅Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption if you have dry mouth as these are diuretics
✅Hormone replacement therapy- this has anti inflammatory properties and helps support bone health so has a wealth of benefits with both symptom relief and long term jaw bone and teeth health

For specialist support with your symptoms, book an appointment with our specialist who can guide you through treatments options and give you the personalised care you deserve
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

With the weather particularly cold and dark, we all feel the 'winter blues'. When you are already faced with symptoms re...
02/12/2025

With the weather particularly cold and dark, we all feel the 'winter blues'. When you are already faced with symptoms resulting from hormone changes such as fatigue, joint & muscle aches, low mood, poor concentration, anxiety, gut issues to name a few, these can worsen during the cold months.

Don't wait until your symptoms get really bad, seek help and get the right treatment you need.

Some other tips you might find helpful:
🦴Take daily Vitamin D 1000 IU
💃 Regular exercise, in particular outdoors, can help boost mood, and help improve sleep, muscle/joint aches and improve gut motility
🧘‍♀️ Take time to do relaxation techniques or meditation. This can help mood, muscle and sleep symptoms
🧄🐟🧀🥑🥛 Try to eat little and often rather than large meals, and avid late night eating. Following a Mediterranean diet can provide varied vitamins, and nourish your gut.
☀️ Get as much sunlight as possible.Some women find it helpful to buy a light source to mimic natural light
☕🍷 Reducing alcohol and caffeine can help improve sleep, mood, bladder symptoms and flushes
🍬🍰 Try and have sugary foods and drinks in moderation. Carbohydrates and sugary foods can leave us feeling sluggish, and worsen physical symptoms such as headaches, low mood, poor sleep, bladder discomfort and flushes.

For specialist support with your symptoms, book an appointment with our specialist who can guide you through treatments options and give you the personalised care you deserve
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

This week, I had the honour of being invited to deliver an expert women’s health presentation and panel discussion for 𝐌...
01/12/2025

This week, I had the honour of being invited to deliver an expert women’s health presentation and panel discussion for 𝐌𝐜𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 — a truly rewarding opportunity to support such a respected, high-performance organisation.

✔️ The session explored a wide range of women’s health topics, including hormonal health, menstrual wellbeing, perimenopause, menopause, and personalised treatment approaches. We also discussed practical workplace considerations and how creating space for open, informed conversations supports both individual wellbeing and team performance.

✔️ Creating space for open, informed conversations in the workplace not only empowers individuals but also strengthens teams and supports a truly inclusive culture.

✔️ As a Women’s Health Specialist, Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and member of the British Menopause Society (BMS) Council, I am committed to providing accurate, balanced, and up-to-date medical information that helps people feel informed, supported, and confident.

✔️ Effective women’s health education must be grounded in robust clinical evidence and delivered in a safe, inclusive environment. In all my sessions, I aim for every session to provide thoughtful, specialist insight into hormonal health, treatment options, and practical workplace support, with a focus on individualised care and improving quality of life.

If your organisation is interested in hosting a menopause or women’s health session, feel free to get in touch.
You can learn more and book via my website:
https://berkshiremenopauseclinic.com/booking-a-talk

🎄Its the start of the countdown to Christmas. Get ready everyone and watch this space... Over the next 3 weeks, me and m...
01/12/2025

🎄Its the start of the countdown to Christmas.
Get ready everyone and watch this space... Over the next 3 weeks, me and my favourite elf will be giving you our tips and support for managing some of the common and not so common perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

✨ Feedback Friyay! ✨ I’m genuinely so grateful for this lovely feedback. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐What means the most to me in this review i...
28/11/2025

✨ Feedback Friyay! ✨

I’m genuinely so grateful for this lovely feedback. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What means the most to me in this review is that this patient felt:

✨ heard in a healthcare space that can often feel overwhelming
✨ supported with clear, evidence-based options rather than pressure
✨ empowered to make choices that suit her life and needs
✨ comfortable and at ease, because compassion matters just as much as clinical expertise

These are exactly the experiences I want every woman to have when she walks into my clinic. Thank you to this wonderful patient for sharing her story — it truly reinforces why I do what I do. 💛

If you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or just want personalised guidance you can trust…

👉 Book your appointment at www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

📣WHEN CAN YOU STOP CONTRACEPTION?It can be really confusing to know if you still need contraception especially if you ar...
26/11/2025

📣WHEN CAN YOU STOP CONTRACEPTION?

It can be really confusing to know if you still need contraception especially if you are not having periods with the contraception you are using.
As you reach perimenopause and menopause, your periods may have spaced out or become more erratic (even when not on contraception) which can confuse matters more.
Follow my guidance below for help how to safely stop contraception:

💊If you are HRT, it is important to know this is NOT contraception (except for the hormonal 52 LNG coil e.g the Mirena coil). You will need further contraception up until the age of 54.

💊If you are using contraception with no hormones (for example condoms, diaphragms, copper coil):
AND you are UNDER the age of 50 -->you can stop contraception after TWO years
AND you are OVER the age of 50 --> you can stop contraception after ONE year

💊If you are using progestogen only contraception (for example the implant, POP, hormonal coil, injection:
- You can continue this until age 54, the natural age deemed safe to stop contraception OR
- You can continue this until age 50 and then have blood tests (FSH levels). If the blood tests are high, indicating menopause then you can stop the contraception after ONE year.
If you are using the injection, we advise TWO years

💊If you are using contraception with both oestrogen and progestogens (for example the combined pill):
- You can use this up to the age of 50 and then change to a non hormonal or progestogen only contraception* --> and then follow the rules for either of those
[*This is because oestrogen in contraception is synthetic and is not advised above the age of 50 due to increased risk of stroke]

For more contraception, menopause or gynaecology expert advice, contact the clinic to book a specialist appointment. We also offer coil and implant fittings.

21/11/2025

📣SIZE DOES MATTER!

This simple string test could be an indicator of central fat around our organs AND more importantly risk of metabolic syndrome*, diabetes, heart disease and stroke

*metabolic syndrome is high waist circumference; high blood pressure; high glucose; high triglycerides; low HDL 'good cholesterol'

✅️Knowing our clinical markers helps plan for risks and make proactive changes to reduce risks
✅️ As women, our risk of heart disease and stroke is high and losing oestrogen worsens that risk

✅️Your care should be tailored and supportive to your specific symptoms and lifestyle

❤️For personalised support, get in touch
Link in bio

📣Heavy bleeding? whats normal? whats just perimenoause? what are your options?CHECK OUT OUR LEAFLET ON MANAGING HEAVY PE...
17/11/2025

📣Heavy bleeding? whats normal? whats just perimenoause? what are your options?

CHECK OUT OUR LEAFLET ON MANAGING HEAVY PERIODS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE (link in bio under 'Leaflets')

‼️We understand that now, more than ever, there’s a world of information – and misinformation - out there when it comes to women's health. And that this leaves many women not knowing which way to turn. We stand for clarity, empowering women with knowledge so that they can make informed choices about their health.
That's why we have a wealth of resources on our website including leaflets, articles and podcasts.
Have you signed up for our monthly blog? You will receive women's health and menopause up to date advice at your fingertips. You can sign up on the website (found on the 'Blogs, articles, and videos page)

For more support, book an appointment with our specialist
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

Thankyou Pelvic Relief for asking me to be an expert guest, discussing all about urinary symptoms and urinary tract infe...
15/11/2025

Thankyou Pelvic Relief for asking me to be an expert guest, discussing all about urinary symptoms and urinary tract infections (UTIs) around perimenopause and menopause.
I give my tips on how to empower yourself and get the right help

It was also great to present recently at a national conference to healthcare professionals about this, and provide the science behind it as well as how to treat patients with a whole approach.

For more support with UTIS, urinary symptoms or any women's health concerns, get in touch.
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

⁉This is a question I get asked all the time✖There is no evidence that HRT causes weight gain. It is possible that you m...
11/11/2025

⁉This is a question I get asked all the time

✖There is no evidence that HRT causes weight gain.
It is possible that you may get some initial bloating and water retention with HRT, but this usually disappears around 1-3 months.

📣However, menopause itself and hormone changes affect the way we store fat (often centrally around the tummy).
In later life, metabolism is reduced, and we lose muscle mass (where muscle helps burn calories). These processes result in a tendency to store rather than burn fat.

❗In fact, HRT can indirectly help reduce weight gain by improving some menopause symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and low mood, all of which can make exercising and healthy eating seem impossible. With more energy and less aches and pain, this can empower women to make healthier lifestyle choices.

To demystify more of those myths, take a look at our Lifestyle and Nutrition around Menopause' leaflet' under the 'Resources' page on our website (link in our bio)

For more support, book an appointment to speak with our expert, via the 'Book appointment' tab on every page of the website.
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

💛 Why Listening Matters in Menopause CareI’m always so grateful when patients take the time to share their experience — ...
07/11/2025

💛 Why Listening Matters in Menopause Care
I’m always so grateful when patients take the time to share their experience — and this recent review truly touched me.

So many women are told they’re “too young” for perimenopause — and it leaves them feeling unheard, dismissed, and confused about what’s happening to their bodies.
You deserve to be listened to and supported with evidence-based care.

If you’re struggling with symptoms or unsure what’s going on, please know you’re not alone — help is out there, and it really can make all the difference.

For support with your care, get in touch
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

Address

Based In ACTIVE VIII, 3 West Lane
Henley On Thames
RG92DZ

Opening Hours

9am - 3pm

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