Why choose us?

Many clinics are offering menopausal support, but we are different.

Firstly, we are a group of three highly trained menopause specialist doctors, all with advanced certificates in menopause, showing that we have a high degree of specialist training.

The three of us offer mutual support to each other and help drive forward the quality of what we offer

Imogen Shaw co-wrote the original NICE guidelines on menopause for the UK. She also works alongside one of the leading menopause specialists in the UK, Dr Nick Panay, in Harley Street.

Gill is Granta PCN Women’s Health Lead and is pioneering services for better access to menopause care for women across the region.

Reem is passionate about all aspects of a woman’s journey of wellness through menopause and offers a very wide and holistic view of care.

Our shared knowledge is vital to the quality of service we offer.

Secondly, as well as specialists in menopause, we all still work actively as GPs and are part of Cambridge Private Doctors, the leading private general practice in Cambridge.

Having this broad depth of current practice helps us to give you the highest level of holistic support that focuses on your menopausal transition but also allows us to use our experience in other areas of relevant medicine, such as cardiovascular risk, bone health, mental health, weight, and wellness management.

We also offer face-to-face appointments, which we feel are integral to establishing a good relationship with our patients.

These can be either in central Cambridge at the Nuffield Hospital, or at our new branch surgery in  Sawston which has easy access, and plenty of parking, saving having to come into Cambridge.

We also have a range of remote appointments either by phone or video which are more flexible, allowing evening or early morning appointments for those who are working.

Normalising the natural

The effects of menopause are often not fully understood. As a result, women do not always get the help they need from their GP, nurse, practice or hospital specialist to manage their symptoms effectively.

Many women find this subject difficult to talk about and struggle to get proper advice, help and treatment. All women will experience a menopausal transition. It is a normal, natural phenomenon – not a disease.

Although many women pass through this transition without problems, around 80% of women experience some symptoms, with 25% of them having very disabling symptoms.

Feedback from our patients

“She is the first doctor I have met who actually listens, assess and explains – I wish all doctors were like her!”

“Nothing but amazing thank you”

“I can’t believe the difference to my life getting the right HRT has made. Thank you.”

“Compassionate, professional and engaged,”

About Me

Dr Imogen Shaw

MA MB Bchir MRCGP DRCOG DFSRH PG dip gynaecology

Dr Imogen Shaw is a national expert on the menopause. She qualified at Cambridge University and Westminster Medical school and has been a GP for 25 years, with particular focus on gynaecology, women’s health and the menopause.

Dr Shaw is co-author of the 2015 NICE (National Institute for health and care excellence) guidelines for menopause and has written a book for GPs on managing the menopause.

She is a member of The British, European and International Menopause Societies and The Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. She is also accredited by the British menopause society as one of their menopause specialists.

Dr Shaw has appeared on TV and radio and in national newspapers.

Dr Gillian Shields. MBBS, BSc, MRCGP 2011.DRCOG, FSRH Advanced Certificate in menopause

Gill qualified from Imperial College London in 2006 and, after her London rotations, completed her GP training in the Southwest.

She has Diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sexual and Reproductive health and is an experienced coil and implant fitter.

She holds the Faculty of Sexual Reproductive Health Advanced Menopause Certificate and is a recognized Menopause Certificate and is a recognized British MenopauseSociety specialist.
Gill is a GP partner at Granta Medical Practices and PCN Women’s Health Lead and runs regular menopause clinics, group menopause consultations and women’s health clinics.
She enjoys listening to her patients in a friendly and relaxed manner to help women make the best decisions for their health.

Dr Reem Al-Shaikh – MBBS, BScHons, DRCOG, DFSRH, MRCGP, Advanced cert Menopause care (FSHRH)

Reem is a menopause specialist accredited by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the British Menopause Society.

She holds the Faculty of Sexual Reproductive Health Advanced Menopause Certificate and is a recognized British Menopause Society specialist.

She carries over a decade of experience as a full-time GP partner working within the NHS.
She holds a membership with the Royal College of General Practitioners and is a GP Educator and Trainer. Through her NHS practice, she has developed an interest in women’s health, aided by her experience working in hospitals and specialist community clinics.

She holds the Faculty of Sexual Reproductive Health Advanced Menopause Certificate and is a recognized Menopause Certificate and is a recognized British MenopauseSociety specialist.
Reem is a GP partner at Granta Medical Practices. She is passionate about women’s health and wellbeing and offers women’s health-specific appointments.

Current clinics

Cambridge Private Doctors
Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital 4 Trumpington Rd
Cambridge CB2 8AF
cambridgeprivatedoctors.co.uk
01223 967995
[email protected]

Cambridge Private Doctors

Clear Beauty,Building G,

South Cambs Business Park,

Babraham Road, Sawston, CB22 3JH

First appointment
45 minutes – £290

Follow up
20 minutes – £152

Smear test
£74.22

We prescribe licensed & properly tested medications that are recommended by the British Menopause Society. Most of our prescribing consists of ‘Bioidentical hormones’  ie. ones which are precise duplicates of hormones such as estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and levothyroxine as produced by the human body.

A lot of these products are bio-identical, but not to be confused with Compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapies. These are manufactured as creams, lozenges and vaginal preparations by ‘Specialist Pharmacies’. These products are not authorised by the regulatory authorities as they are marketed as natural supplements and hence do not require approval by the Medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency. As a result, they have not been through the rigorous process of drug development, which conventional medicines including hormones undergo, and have not been scientifically evaluated in clinical trials for effectiveness and safety.

  1. Initial appointment-our menopause clinic offers face-to-face consultations at the Nuffield Hospital Cambridge. You can also choose a remote consult via video or phone.

Bookings can be made on our website www.cambridgeprivatedoctors.co.uk, or by emailing us at [email protected] you cannot find a suitable appointment you can ring our admin team on 01223 967995.

Your initial appointment will cost £290, (£240 if remote) and will include a detailed menopause and medical history, to advise whether any further tests or investigations are required.

  1. Prescriptions

Following your initial appointment if appropriate you will be given a prescription for 3 months of HRT. This is a private prescription so you will be charged by the pharmacist for the cost of the medications.

For convenience, or if you are having a remote consultation, we can arrange with our dispensing pharmacy to deliver your treatment direct to your home.

  1. 3 month review

A 20-minute appointment costs £152 at the Nuffield (£110 if remote).

We will undertake a review after 3 months to see how you are getting on and adjust any medications to ensure you are optimally treated.

Any necessary blood tests can be done at the Nuffield either at the appointment or at any stage by the outpatient nurses. There will be an additional charge for blood tests and any other investigations needed.

Once treatment is optimised, if you wish, we will write to your NHS GP to take over the prescribing for you.

  1. Annual review

A 20-minute appointment costs £152 at the Nuffield (£110 if remote).

This allows us to monitor how you are getting on with your medications and continue to prescribe for you if you wish. It also means we can advise if your treatment needs adjusting or changing to another more suitable product.

  1. Repeat prescribing

We charge £37 to check through your notes and issue a repeat prescription.

We are happy to continue prescribing for you if you wish to remain in the private system.

We have an online support service with a monthly fee of £16. This entitles you to advice every day of the week, free referrals and no charge for repeat prescribing (you will still pay for the medications).

Click here to read about the service.

Symptoms

Menopause symptoms affect nearly three quarters of all women. Symptoms can present in the time leading up to the menopause and persist for several years after. Symptoms may include:

  • HOT FLUSHES
  • MOOD CHANGES AND ANXIETY
  • DIFFICULTY WITH LIBIDO AND SEX LIFE
  • POOR SLEEP AND NIGHT SWEATS
  • VAGINAL DRYNESS, ITCHING AND BURNING
  • CHANGES TO SKIN AND APPEARANCE
  • PROBLEMS PASSING URINE – INCLUDING INCONTINENCE

The effects of a low estrogen state include:

  • INCREASED RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
  • OSTEOPOROSIS

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or are worried about them, please schedule an appointment.

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Commencing treatment

The initial 45 minute appointment allows the doctor and her patient the opportunity to discuss symptoms, quality of life and the impact of the menopause on existing medical conditions. Afterwards any relevant examinations will be undertaken and further tests will be discussed. The results of these will then be used to assess the most suitable, tailored hormone replacement therapy.

Tests may include:

Cardiovascular & osteoporosis risk profile.

Blood pressure and cardiovascular system checks. Pelvic and breast examination checks are only conducted where appropriate.

A cervical smear may be taken if required.*

Blood tests may be taken if necessary (though blood tests are not usually necessary to diagnose the menopause).*

A 20 minute follow up appointment after 3 months is recommended to assess the treatment and make any necessary adjustments to dosage.

*Denotes extra cost Book an Appointment