What NHS menopause clinics offer
NHS menopause clinics — sometimes called Women's Health Hubs — are specialist services that assess and treat menopausal symptoms. What they typically offer:
- Comprehensive symptom assessment and menopause diagnosis (symptom-based, in line with NG23).
- HRT prescribing, including transdermal estradiol, micronised progesterone, and vaginal estrogen.
- Management of complex cases — migraine with aura, previous VTE, breast cancer risk, liver disease.
- Testosterone initiation for low libido (off-label, but NG23-supported).
- Non-hormonal alternatives where HRT is not suitable — SSRIs/SNRIs for hot flushes, gabapentin, clonidine, lifestyle advice.
- Bone health assessment and osteoporosis prevention planning.
Some clinics run multidisciplinary teams with gynaecologists, specialist nurses, and psychologists. Others are nurse-led and focus on HRT optimisation.
How to ask your GP
The simplest route is a direct request to your GP:
- Book a routine appointment — not an emergency slot.
- Bring a symptom diary covering at least 2–4 weeks.
- Say: "I would like a referral to the NHS menopause clinic / Women's Health Hub."
- If you know the local clinic name, mention it.
- If local waits are long, say: "I understand I can use Right to Choose to pick an NHS-funded provider with a shorter wait."
Your GP should not refuse a routine referral without a clinical reason. If they do, the refusal is challengeable.
If your GP refuses
If your GP says "we don't refer to menopause clinics" or "you don't need one":
- Ask for the refusal in writing with the clinical reasoning.
- Request a same-practice second opinion.
- Cite NHS guideline NG23: menopause care should be available, and specialist input is appropriate for complex cases or where standard GP management has not worked.
- If the practice has a menopause lead GP, ask to see them specifically.
Using Right to Choose
Right to Choose lets you pick any NHS-funded provider in England for your first outpatient appointment. This includes specialist menopause services.
- Search the NHS website or contact providers directly for current waiting times.
- Ask your GP for an "NHS e-Referral Service" (formerly Choose and Book) referral to your chosen provider.
- Your GP must process this. They cannot refuse solely because it is not the local service.
Waiting times
NHS menopause clinic waits vary dramatically:
- Fast regions: 2–6 weeks for Women's Health Hubs in well-funded areas.
- Slow regions: 6–12+ months where there is no dedicated clinic and gynaecology covers menopause.
- Right to Choose: Can reduce waits to 4–8 weeks by picking a provider with capacity.
Waiting times are not a reason for your GP to refuse referral. If the local wait is unacceptable, Right to Choose is your statutory right.
Preparing for the appointment
To get the most from a menopause clinic appointment:
- Bring a symptom diary (frequency, severity, triggers).
- List all medications and supplements.
- Note family history of breast cancer, VTE, or cardiovascular disease.
- Note what you have already tried — HRT types, doses, durations, and why they stopped.
- Write down your goals — "I want to sleep through the night" or "I want my concentration back" — so the clinician can target treatment.
Frequently asked questions
›Do I need a GP referral to an NHS menopause clinic?
Usually yes — most NHS menopause clinics require a GP referral. In some areas, Women's Health Hubs are the first point of contact. Right to Choose lets you pick any NHS-funded provider in England, and your GP must process the referral.
›What does an NHS menopause clinic actually do?
NHS menopause clinics assess symptoms, review medical history, prescribe HRT (including complex cases), and can initiate testosterone where appropriate. They also manage women who cannot take standard HRT and advise on non-hormonal alternatives.
›What if my GP refuses to refer me?
Ask for the refusal in writing. You have the right to ask for a second opinion within the practice. If referral is still refused, you can use NHS Right to Choose to self-refer to an NHS-funded provider in England — though some still prefer a GP referral for medical records.
›How long are NHS menopause clinic waiting lists?
Varies dramatically by region — from a few weeks to 12+ months. Right to Choose is the fastest route if your local clinic has a long wait.
›Can I get testosterone at an NHS menopause clinic?
Yes — NHS menopause specialists are the GPs most likely to initiate testosterone for women, even though it is unlicensed. NG23 supports its use for low libido where HRT alone is not enough.