Private Menopause Clinic vs. NHS GP: Which Is Right for You?

Navigating care when you are not sure where to start

You have been piecing together information online, in forums, and from friends who are further along in this transition. You know you need proper medical support, but you are not sure whether your GP can give you what you need or whether you should look at a private menopause specialist. This is one of the most common practical dilemmas women face during perimenopause in the UK.

Both routes can lead to good care. Both also have real limitations. Understanding what each offers, and where each tends to fall short, helps you make a more informed choice for your specific situation, your symptoms, your priorities, and your budget.

What they have in common

Both NHS GPs and private menopause clinics can prescribe hormone replacement therapy, refer you to specialists, and order relevant blood tests. Both operate within the same evidence base for menopause care, including the NICE guideline NG23 on menopause, which provides clear recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Both routes also involve building a relationship with a clinician over time. Good menopause care is not a single appointment. It involves review, adjustment, and ongoing monitoring, and this continuity is available through both the NHS and private practice when you find the right clinician.

What private menopause clinics offer

Private menopause clinics and specialists offer a dedicated focus that most NHS GP practices cannot match. Consultants in these settings typically have extensive experience with the full range of perimenopause and menopause presentations, including complex cases, premature ovarian insufficiency, and women with contraindications to standard HRT options.

Appointments are usually longer, often 45 to 60 minutes for an initial consultation, compared to a standard 10-minute GP slot. This time makes a significant difference when you have multiple symptoms or a complicated medical history that needs careful consideration. Private specialists are also often more familiar with the breadth of HRT formulations available, including body-identical hormones and testosterone prescribing for women, which some GPs have less experience with.

Access is faster. Waiting weeks or months for an NHS menopause specialist referral is common. Private appointments are typically available within days or a few weeks. For women whose symptoms are significantly affecting their quality of life, this speed is genuinely valuable.

What NHS GP care offers

NHS GP care is free at the point of use, which is a fundamental advantage for many women. Prescriptions are also subsidized, and for women in England, the Menopause Prescription Prepayment Certificate significantly reduces the annual cost of HRT prescriptions to a fixed fee.

Your GP knows your full medical history, your existing medications, and your family context. This continuity and whole-person view is genuinely valuable for safe prescribing, particularly if you have other health conditions. Some GP practices now have GPs with a specific interest in menopause, and the quality of NHS menopause care has been improving following NICE guideline updates and increased training availability.

If your GP is not confident managing your menopause care, they can refer you to an NHS menopause specialist or to a NHS menopause clinic where these exist. The British Menopause Society maintains a directory of accredited healthcare professionals, including NHS practitioners.

Key differences to consider

The most significant practical differences are cost, waiting time, and the depth of menopause-specific knowledge. Private consultations typically cost between 150 and 400 pounds for an initial appointment, with follow-ups at 100 to 200 pounds. Ongoing private prescriptions and monitoring add to this. For many women, this is affordable once or twice but becomes difficult to sustain long-term.

Knowledge varies considerably within both systems. Not all GPs are confident or up to date on menopause management. Not all private practitioners are equally skilled. The British Menopause Society and Menopause Specialist accreditation are useful markers to look for in both private and NHS settings. Asking your GP directly about their experience with perimenopause and HRT before your appointment gives you useful information.

Some women find that a one-time private consultation is a practical middle ground. They use the specialist appointment to get a clear diagnosis, establish a treatment plan, and then take that plan back to their GP for ongoing NHS prescribing and monitoring. This hybrid approach is not unusual and can be cost-effective.

Can you use both?

Yes, and it is often a sensible approach. Getting an initial private consultation for a thorough assessment and a clear treatment plan, then returning to your NHS GP for ongoing management, is entirely reasonable. You can share your private consultation notes with your GP, and most GPs are willing to continue prescriptions recommended by a specialist.

Some women move the other way, starting with NHS care and going private only when they hit a barrier, such as difficulty getting a specific HRT type or a need for specialist input on a complex situation. There is no single correct sequence. Using both systems pragmatically is a reasonable approach to navigating what is an imperfect care landscape.

Track your symptoms before any appointment

Whether you are seeing an NHS GP or a private specialist, going into your appointment with documented symptom data makes the consultation significantly more productive. A log of your symptoms, their frequency, their severity, and how they vary across your cycle gives your clinician far more to work with than a general description of not feeling right.

PeriPlan lets you log symptoms and track patterns over time, so you can bring a clear record to any appointment. A few weeks of logged data showing when hot flashes peak, how severely sleep is disrupted, and how mood and energy vary can shift a 10-minute GP appointment from a general discussion to a specific, action-oriented conversation.

When to push harder for specialist input

If you feel your concerns are being dismissed, minimized, or inadequately addressed in any setting, you are entitled to seek a second opinion. This is true in both NHS and private contexts. You can ask to see a different GP within your practice, request a referral to an NHS menopause clinic, or seek a private opinion.

Push specifically for specialist input if you have premature ovarian insufficiency, a history of hormone-sensitive conditions, significant mental health symptoms that may be related to the menopause transition, or if standard HRT is not providing adequate symptom relief after reasonable adjustment. These situations genuinely benefit from specialist knowledge.

You deserve care that actually helps

The gap between the care some women receive and the care that is possible has narrowed in recent years, partly due to increased awareness and updated guidelines. But gaps remain, and knowing your options helps you advocate effectively for yourself.

Whether you start with your GP or seek out a private menopause specialist, the goal is the same: a clinician who takes your symptoms seriously, is knowledgeable about the evidence base, and works with you to find an approach that fits your life. That standard of care is available in both settings when you find the right practitioner.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific situation.