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

20/01/2026

📣CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION WEEK
🎧 Listen to my video to learn about the procedure.
❓How do we increase uptake. Majority of women choose not to get their screening due to pain, a previous traumatic experience, or hearing someone else's story

‼️Here are my tips to a more comfortable experience.

🗓For more information and support, visit the website (link in bio)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Feedback Friyay Truly grateful for such a wonderful review💖 I know women’s health is not one-size-fits-all. Taking ...
16/01/2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Feedback Friyay
Truly grateful for such a wonderful review💖

I know women’s health is not one-size-fits-all. Taking time to listen, understand your history, and explain options clearly is essential.

This review reflects exactly why I endeavour to always provide personalised, evidence-based care. Many women are told certain treatments aren’t possible, when in fact there may be safe, tailored options available after a proper assessment.

Women’s health, and especially menopause care, is rarely straightforward. Many women have complex medical histories, family risks, or previous advice that has left them feeling stuck or unsure. That’s why careful assessment, up-to-date evidence, and time to talk things through really matter.

With so many menopause services now available, it can be hard to know how to navigate your options or where to turn for truly specialist advice. Having access to experienced, evidence-based care can make a real difference.

✨ We offer comprehensive women’s health care including:
Complex menopause & HRT advice
Contraception, including coil fitting
Cervical screening & women’s health checks
Preventive health and long-term wellbeing support

📣If you’ve been putting your health on hold, feel unsure about your options, or have been told you have “limited choices,” you don’t have to navigate this alone.

👉 Book an appointment today for caring, specialist women’s health support.

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

14/01/2026

📢SELF BREAST EXAMINATION 🍩🍩

🎥Let me show you how to do a proper examination. In this video, I give you a step by step demo

⭐️Look
⭐️Feel
⭐️Get support

🗓 If you would like to have a breast examination, or any other womens health checks, cervical screening or consultation to talk through your menopause or women’s health concerns,get in touch.
Our caring specialist will supoort you with personalised care

Link in bio


12/01/2026

DIFFERENT COILS. Do you know the difference? Which ones you can use when?
🎧👂Have a listen to my latest video where I go through this.

Did you know Dr McQuillan is experienced at difficult fittings. So you may have has difgiculty with insertions ir told your cervix is the 'wrong way'. Get in touch and we can help

To book your coil fitting or any other women's health support, get in touch with our caring team
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

📣 Improving Access to Menopause CareThe announcement that menopause care will be included in NHS online virtual clinics ...
07/01/2026

📣 Improving Access to Menopause Care

The announcement that menopause care will be included in NHS online virtual clinics from 2027 is a genuinely positive step forward for women’s health.

For far too long, menopause has been under-recognised, under-treated, and too often dismissed as something women should simply “put up with”. We know this isn’t the case. Menopause can affect every aspect of a woman’s physical health, mental wellbeing, work, relationships, and overall quality of life. It deserves to be taken seriously.

As a menopause specialist, both as NHS Clinical Lead for Berkshire West and Clinical Lead of Berkshire Menopause Clinic, I see first-hand how important the right support can be. When women are listened to, properly assessed, and offered evidence-based advice and treatment, symptoms that once felt overwhelming can become manageable, and quality of life can improve significantly.

Improving access to menopause care within the NHS is vital, and this is very much a step in the right direction.

Whether care is delivered through the NHS or privately, what matters most is that women receive informed, compassionate, specialist-led support—and that they are not dismissed or left to struggle alone.

This is a welcome development, and one that gives me real hope.
I’ll continue to advocate for menopause to be taken seriously, and for women to have access to the right care, in the right setting, at the right time. 💛

Take a look at our free website resources or if you would like support with your journey, get in touch

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

✨ Check out my latest article- 'Why January is the time to book those women’s health screenings'January is a natural tim...
06/01/2026

✨ Check out my latest article- 'Why January is the time to book those women’s health screenings'

January is a natural time to pause, reset and take stock, not just of resolutions. In this piece, I explore why January is such a good moment to book important health checks and screenings, and how taking time for yourself now is a powerful form of self-care for the year ahead.

With January also being Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, it’s the perfect reminder to prioritise those checks we often put off, giving us reassurance, prevention and peace of mind.

🔗 Read the full article here:

https://berkshiremenopauseclinic.com/womens-health-resources

💻 For support or to book your screening:

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

02/01/2026

I’m so honoured to have been invited by onto the and Cancer Podcast — not for one, but TWO episodes
🎙️ These conversations tackled something we too often avoid: menopause after cancer — the elephant in the room for both patients and clinicians.

🎧 Episode 1(198): The elephant in the room A few truths we need to say out loud:
• Menopause after cancer is often downplayed — “you’re lucky to be alive” becomes the unspoken narrative
• Many women are never told that cancer treatment can trigger an abrupt, severe menopause — or what that actually means
• Symptoms like vaginal pain, recurrent UTIs, loss of libido, sleep deprivation and brain fog are minimised or silenced
• Patients are often told treatment is “too risky” — while clinicians feel under-trained, unsupported and afraid of getting it wrong
The result? Silence on both sides — and women suffering in it.
And here’s the uncomfortable part: Quality of life, intimacy, work and identity still matter after cancer.

🎧 Episode 2 (199): A toolkit for life after treatment
In the second episode, I showcased how I’ve reflected on my own practice — and how that reflection has directly improved care and long-term health for cancer patients, using a practical, personalised focused toolkit.
• Follow-up care should reduce fear — not fuel it
• Menopause symptoms shouldn’t be dumped into a “can’t treat” box
• Non-hormonal options, sexual health, sleep, bone and heart health deserve the same attention as recurrence risk
• Long-term health planning is not a luxury — it’s essential including protecting bone, heart and mental health early
• Helping patients feel informed, involved and in control of their future health. Patients aren’t children — ownership, trust and shared decisions matter.

💬 The message I hope lands - Menopause after cancer is complex, yes. But complexity is not a reason to avoid the conversation.

If you’re a patient: 👉 Your symptoms and quality of life matter. You are allowed to ask.
If you’re a clinician: 👉 You don’t need all the answers — but starting the conversation can change everything.

Thank you for involving me in making space for the conversations we still shy away from. This is exactly why they need to be had.

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

02/01/2026

I’m so honoured to have been invited by dani_binnington onto the podcast for TWO episodes
🎙️ These conversations tackled something we too often avoid: menopause after cancer — the elephant in the room for both patients and clinicians.

🎧 Episode 1 (198): The elephant in the room A few truths we need to say out loud:
• Menopause after cancer is often downplayed — “you’re lucky to be alive” becomes the unspoken narrative
• Many women are never told that cancer treatment can trigger an abrupt, severe menopause — or what that actually means
• Symptoms like vaginal pain, recurrent UTIs, loss of libido, sleep deprivation and brain fog are minimised or silenced
• Patients are often told treatment is “too risky” — while clinicians feel under-trained, unsupported and afraid of getting it wrong  

The result? Silence on both sides — and women suffering.
And here’s the uncomfortable part: Quality of life, intimacy, work and identity still matter after cancer.

🎧 Episode 2 (199): A toolkit for life.
In the second episode, I showcased how I’ve reflected on my own practice — and how that reflection has directly improved care and long-term health for cancer patients, using a practical, personalised focused toolkit.
• Follow-up care should reduce fear — not fuel it
• Menopause symptoms shouldn’t be dumped into a “can’t treat” box
• Non-hormonal options, sexual health, sleep, bone and heart health deserve the same attention as recurrence risk
• Long-term health planning is essential including protecting bone, heart and mental health early
• Helping patients feel informed, involved and in control. They aren’t children — ownership, trust and shared decisions matter.

💬 The message I hope lands - Menopause after cancer is complex, yes. But complexity is not a reason to avoid the conversation.

If you’re a patient: 👉 Your symptoms & quality of life matter. You are allowed to ask.
If you’re a clinician: 👉 You don’t need all the answers — but starting the conversation can change everything.

Thank you dani for involving me in making space for the conversations we still shy away from
For support, contact my clinic (link in bio)

Confession time: I love cooking and baking — especially at Christmas 🍰🎄So much so that many years ago, in my gynaecology...
30/12/2025

Confession time: I love cooking and baking — especially at Christmas 🍰🎄

So much so that many years ago, in my gynaecology interview, I actually talked about it. Yes… alongside hormones, anatomy and clinical care, I mentioned cooking 😄

Fast forward to now, as a women’s health & menopause expert, it makes even more sense.

This is my happy place — mindfulness. But it’s so much more. It needs real love and care, knowledge, creativity, precision, patience, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go as expected. It’s occasionally challenging and always a balance of science and intuition (much like hormones, really).

That’s exactly how I approach women’s health. Hormones are complex, symptoms don’t follow recipes, and menopause certainly doesn’t come with step-by-step instructions. You need expertise, experience, knowledge, and giving 100% of authenticity and passion!

There’s also something powerful about slowing down, working with your hands, and creating something comforting and delicious — a reminder I often share with my patients. Regulation, balance, and care matters.

So yes, I still believe baking belongs in a gynaecology interview 😉

Turns out it was a pretty good predictor of the work I love doing today.

(Pictured is the macarons and a multi-layer entremets dessert I made Christmas day).

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

25/12/2025

Happy Christmas, everyone 🎄❤️

From all of us at the clinic, we’re sending love and gentle wishes your way today.
We know that Christmas isn’t always merry for everyone. For some, it’s a day filled with joy — and for others, it can be heavy, quiet, or bittersweet.

Wherever you find yourself this Christmas, and whatever this day looks like for you, we hope it brings moments of peace, comfort, and kindness.

With love from Dr McQuillan and the Berkshire Menopause Clinic Team 🤍
We look forward to continuing to support all our patients with your women’s health needs in the year ahead.

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

Let's talk sweats and flushesBody temperature is controlled in an area of the brain, called hypothalamus. Here, various ...
24/12/2025

Let's talk sweats and flushes

Body temperature is controlled in an area of the brain, called hypothalamus. Here, various hormones and neurotransmitters work to keep temperature in a relatively narrow range.
Oestrogen is one hormone, so when this declines, it disrupts thermoregulation and the brain thinks we are very hot even if not. The body then responds with a chain of events to cool us down.
For example, blood vessels carry heat to the skin surface. To dissipate heat from the skin surface, the blood vessels dilate (vasodilation), resulting in flushing and warmth. Other mechanisms such as opening skin pores also can occur, triggering perspiration (sweating) and chills.

So WHAT CAN WE DO?
⭐Focus on cooling areas full of surface blood vessels e.g hands/feet/armpits/scalp. This could be dipping then in cold water, using cool packs and fans/water sprays.
⭐Avoiding spicy food, alcohol, and caffeine as they all cause vasodilation, and in turn flushing.
⭐Avoiding stress, which increases heart rate and vasodilation, triggering heat and sweat receptors. Relaxation techniques, CBT and medications eg SSRIs can help.
⭐Reduce core body temperature. For example, avoiding hot drinks/food which make us feel warm. Also, digesting food takes energy which in turn produces heat so eating light meals not high in sugar/processed carbs means we burn less energy producing less heat.
Many people turn to energy drinks when hot, for electrolyte replacement lost through sweat but infact they contain alot of sugar, causing more energy/heat production. Drinking cold water is a better option
⭐Stopping smoking. Smoking causes oestrogen reduction, thus triggering hot flushes.
⭐Weight loss and having a healthy BMI- decreases fat storage using less energy and in turn producing less heat.
⭐Oestrogen replacement. By topping up depleted levels helps control thermoregulation.

Dont wait until your symptoms get really bad.For specialist support, book an appointment. We can guide you through treatments options and give you the personalised care you deserve
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

Hormonal headaches are really common. They can be particularly bad in those who experience hormone sensitivity, PMS or P...
22/12/2025

Hormonal headaches are really common. They can be particularly bad in those who experience hormone sensitivity, PMS or PMDD, and around the perimenopause. This is due to increasing fluctuation in hormones.

There are things in your lifestyle you can do to help. We can also look at medication that can help reduce headaches. If you are already on hormones (or are thinking about starting HRT) then trying to steady these hormones by using preparations that reduce the fluctuations can often resolve or reduce symptoms.
Some of my tips include:

✅Keep well hydrated
✅Keep a food and drink diary. There are common triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, chocolate. Everyone is individual and you may find you experience other triggers.
Infact for some, caffeine can be beneficial.
✅Reducing stress and ensuring you get enough sleep, as both of these are we'll known triggers. Consider breathing techniques, relaxation and mindfulness.
✅If you are already taking HRT or hormones, certain regimes and preparations are better for headaches and hormonal fluctuations. Tweaking your HRT can often really improve symptoms

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

Address

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

Opening Hours

9am - 3pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Berkshire Menopause Clinic posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Berkshire Menopause Clinic:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category