Berkshire Menopause Clinic

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Henley on Thames
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

12/09/2025

Feedback Friyay
Thankyou for another lovely review.
At Berkshire Menopause Clinic, not only will you NOT feel judged but we provide a safe and confidential environment so you feel you can have open, honest conversations about what issues are concerning you.
No judgement here- just empathy, understanding, support and expert evidence-based care

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

For support with your women's health or menopause care, get in touch

09/09/2025

📣Thankyou for the awards UK Enterprise💜

Not one but 2 awards:
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
WOMENS HEALTH CLINIC OF THE YEAR- SOUTH OF ENGLAND

These awards are not just about good service — it’s about creating a space where patients feel safe, heard, informed, and empowered. Whether you’re reading a blog, watching a video, attending a talk, or having a consultation, the goal is the same: to support you in every way possible.

Thank you for your trust. This recognition is for all of you — and it drives me to keep doing more. 💙

To book your women's health or menopause appointment with our caring doctor, get in touch:
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

08/09/2025

❗Lets talk v***al (or v***ar) cancer awareness today
This is a rare cancer and like many of the cancers I have discussed, can present similarly to other conditions.
❗However, the symptoms for v***ar cancer overlap with many conditions that can be self treated with creams and medications from the pharmacy for example infections such as thrush, eczema, contact dermatitis; allergies, ring worm.

❗❗So I really want to highlight that if your symptom persists and does not go away with self treatments, please book an appointment to be examined by your doctor to get the right help.❗❗

🩺So what symptoms should you be aware of:
- an open sore or growth visible on the skin
- a persistent itch, in particular on one patch
- persistent rash or dry, scaly, thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin
- bleeding or pain in the v***a
- a mole that changes shape or colour
- persistent burning pain on an area of the v***a when you pass urine

Other skin conditions such as ge***al symptoms of menopause, lichen sclerosis, eczema, herpes, VIN, skin cancer can also all present similarly. These also need examination and potential referral for specialist examination.
If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, seek help early
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

**nalcancerawareness **nalcare ***alcancerawareness **nalhealth

04/09/2025

❗Lets talk cervical cancer awareness❗
Cervical cancer is rare due to regular screening done in the UK.
For this post, I thought I would take the opportunity to highlight the importance of screening.
⭐Cervical screening checks the health of a woman’s cervix (the neck of the womb, opening into the va**na). It is a simple procedure, where a soft brush is used to gently sweep cells from the cervix.
It does not directly test for cancer but checks for certain ‘high risk’ variants of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), as these are found in over 99% of all cervical cancers.
⭐Who should attend for screening?⭐
In England, NHS cervical screening is offered to anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64, including those in same-s*x relationships, transgender, and non-binary people with female reproductive organs. Recall is every 3-5 years depending on your age.
The HPV screening is a routine test, and not to investigate those with symptoms. Majority of virus carriers have no symptoms; therefore, it is important to attend regular screening when invited.

If you get bleeding after s*x or between your periods, outside of your screening invite, then you should speak with your doctor immediately as this can be a sign of inflammation and changes to the cervix (or other female ge***al areas) that needs separate investigating.

⭐What happens after the test?⭐
The sample is sent for testing to the lab.
If the sample is negative for ‘high risk HPV’, there is no need for further investigations, and you will be invited for routine screening. If the sample is positive for ‘high risk HPV’, the same sample will be further tested for cell changes, and based on this you will either be offered more regular screening or referred for further investigation to look at the cervix in more detail.
Even if you carry a high-risk HPV type, the chance of getting cervical cancer is still low, because the aim of screening is to pick up changes early so that they can be easily treated and do not turn into cervical cancer.

❗❗You may be scared- its important you feel supported

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

01/09/2025

📢 How Well Do You Really Know Your V***A AND VA**NA?

🗓️ September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month- its time to break the the silence- Check out my latest article in Henley Life

❤️ Too many women delay seeking help — You may be unsure what’s normal, too embarrassed to ask, or or even scared what might be discovered. Seek help and support - we are here to help.

In my article, I give my top tips on how to get the right support, what to look for, and how to empower yourself and take control of your health:

⭐ Look, feel, and listen to yourself – use a mirror, know your v***a, track changes.

⭐Don’t dismiss new symptoms – bloating, bleeding, pain, changes in discharge, or bowel/ bladder symptoms all deserve attention.

⭐Keep up with screening – even if you feel fine or have had the HPV vaccine.

⭐Ask questions – your health, your body, your voice matters.

Awareness isn’t just about cancer — it’s about confidence, early action, and saving lives.

Are you ready to know your anatomy and empower your health?

Read my full guide here
👉 www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com/womens-health-resources

For more support with your symptoms or to book your screening, get in touch

https://berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

***alcancerawareness **nalcancerawareness

31/08/2025

📣GET READY...GET READY...
Tomorrow is the first day of September — Gynaecology Cancer Awareness Month
Each week, il be posting tips, symptoms to look for and myth busters
So watch this space

So get following AND get checking your anatomy.
Its time to know whats normal, feel empowered and spread awareness

For support with any symptoms or worries you may have, get in touch
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

***alcancerawareness **nalcancerawareness #

29/08/2025

‼️ What the Matthew Perry Documentary Reminds Me About Women’s Health and Menopause

Watching the new ITV documentary on Matthew Perry, I couldn’t help but think about the parallels in women’s health — particularly menopause.

💔 It exposed how vulnerable people can be exploited, even by those in positions of trust, including medical professionals. Sadly, the same happens in women’s health, where fear, confusion, and desperation can lead to people paying for unethical, unnecessary, or even harmful treatments.

As a clinician, this matters deeply to me. Women deserve honest, evidence-based care, not slick marketing or false promises.

I am passionate about providing support that is up to date, transparent, and grounded in science. Private practice can offer choice and access — but navigating it isn’t always easy, and sadly, a few unethical practices can overshadow the many professionals working hard to do things right.

Here’s a few tips how to protect yourself:

🔍 Look for practitioners listed on trusted sites like the British Menopause Society (BMS) – they hold a list of accredited specialists.

🎓 Check for recognised qualifications and accreditations.

⚠️ Be cautious of anyone who promises “miracle cures” or pushes expensive regimes without a clear medical basis.

Menopause support should empower, not exploit. Let’s call out misleading practices, share credible resources, and help women find the right care.

🔗 Where do you get your menopause advice? Let’s make it safe, transparent, and based on science.

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

27/08/2025

HRT is proven to be the most effective treatment for symptom control in menopause, and overall long term health benefits.
However, for some, HRT is not advisable or recommended and many women may choose not to take hormones. So what alternatives are there?
The National Institute of Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) and MRHA have carefully looked in alternative treatments, and based on evidence, have recommended a number of non-hormonal options.
Most of these provide relief from vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes, but some have added benefit to improve mood and sleep. There are both prescription based treatments -such as some anti depressants, Gabapentin, Clonidine, Oxybutinin. There are also some newer fantastic NK treatments available. Non prescribed treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
You may also wish to take vitamins and supplements. These work by providing your body nutrients, where you may be vulnerable to changing hormones.
You can also get most nutrients from your diet and sunlight. If you do take supplements sch as such as Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Omega oils, these can be used in addition to treatments used in menopause (and not as a substitute). We recommend 1000units of Vitamin D. The debate is up on calcium supplements. You can get the recommended amount of calcium from your diet. There are lots of online calcium calculators to help you work out how much calcium you need (link on our website)
You may find some useful information from the National Osteoporosis society and British Association of Dieticians for Dietary tips.
Check out our resources page for alot more information on alternatives.
Or contact us for an appointment with our specialist, who can help guide you through the various options available to you.

21/08/2025

This is exciting news.
MRHA approval means that this drug now has the potential to be licenced for use. This still needs to go through NICE approval to be available for NHS patients and is unlikely to be until next year but is still promising news.
Watch this space

08/08/2025

Feedback Friyay

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thankyou for the lovely review. .

📢 Did you know we do all things Women's health?

❤️ As a dual trained gynaecologist and GP, I hope my experience and expertise gives patients the faith they are getting the best care

Our services not only include menopause and gynaecology consultations but we also offer ✅ coil fittings, ✅contraception, ✅cervical screening, ✅breast examinations, ✅Blood test & health screening, and ✅Lifestyle advice to ensure your whole health is addressed.

For specialist support or if you have struggled with previous cervical screening or coil fittings, get in touch with our caring team

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

07/08/2025

🔥 UTIs & Menopause, the 'burning' issue— What we should all be talking (shouting) about

are uncomfortable, frustrating, and way more common during and after menopause than many realise. And yet… its so important we are talking about this — especially in healthcare settings.

❤My passion for educating on this stems from my own personal journey of chronic UTIs since I was a child, and going into adulthood, it was worst when I was an Obstetric and Gynaecology registrar doing long hours, and barely able to reach a toilet when oncall, which was excruciating 😭

Let’s change that. 👇

I was delighted to be a guest on Amantha Kings podcast

to unpack why are such a big issue in midlife and beyond, and what you can do about it.

We dive into:

🧬 Talking through the anatomy around the urinary tract and how understanding your own anatomy can lead to better care

🔍 What actually changes in the urinary tract during menopause and how understanding your own anatomy can lead to better care

💡 Why oestrogen matters — and how a localised approach can help

🧴What over the counter and non-hormonal medications can help

🔄 The vicious cycle of antibiotics and recurrent infections

🧠 How stress, sleep, and even your microbiome play a role

🧴 A closer look at feminine hygiene products — and what to avoid

‼️ 🩺 The importance of taking a safe history and examination and not just 'blindly' treating any v***a/va**nal/ urinary symptoms

If you’ve ever had a UTI yourself, know someone who has suffered, or treated people with UTIs— this one’s for you.

💥 Because UTIs aren’t just part of ageing you have to put up with.

🎥 🎥 Link to YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/

and direct to video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyqNG7qIwH8&t=268s

Let’s get informed — and empowered.

If you would like help with chronic UTIs, menopause or any women's health and gynaecology issues, please get in touch

www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

06/08/2025

🚨 Exciting update in ’shealth and !

Nalvee (10mg dydrogesterone) has been (re)launched in the UK as a stand-alone progestogen tablet – a development I have been eagerly awaiting.

🌟 Why is this such a big deal?
Nalvee expands our options for:

•The progestogen part of HRT

•Treatment of dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, irregular cycles and PMS.

Everyone responds differently to medications – the more options we have, the better we can tailor treatments to each individual.

✅ What are the key benefits of Nalvee
• Body-similar: Comparable to micronised body-identical progesterone, with current data showing lower risks of blood clots and lower breast cancer risk in the long term (important as it’s the progestogen part of HRT that influences breast cancer risk).

• Better bleeding control: More predictable, lighter patterns – less disruption for patients.

• Less androgenic: Reduced PMS-like side effects such as low mood, acne, and loss of libido.

💊Why this changes practice
Dydrogesterone has been available in combined HRT tablets (e.g., Femoston), but these limit oestrogen choice and dose flexibility.

🥳With Nalvee as a single tablet, we can now personalise care – combining it with patches, sprays, or gels of choice, and adjusting oestrogen doses to suit each individual’s symptoms.

✨ More options mean more personalised, tailored treatments for my patients.

For personalised, expert advice with your menopause or women's health journey, get in touch
www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com

Address

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

Opening Hours

9am - 3pm

Website

http://www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.com/

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