Private HRT Clinic for Menopause & Perimenopause

HRT does not directly cause weight gain. Menopause itself often leads to weight redistribution and metabolic changes due to declining oestrogen levels. Many women actually find that HRT helps with weight management by improving energy levels, sleep quality, and reducing cortisol. Body-identical transdermal HRT (gels and patches) is metabolically neutral for most women. If you're concerned about weight, we can discuss this during your consultation.

For most women under 60, or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks. Body-identical transdermal oestrogen (gels and patches) has an excellent safety profile and does not increase blood clot risk—unlike older oral preparations. Modern HRT with micronised progesterone (Utrogestan) also has a better safety profile than older synthetic progestogens. We'll assess your individual risk factors and discuss the specific benefits and risks with you before prescribing.

Common initial HRT side effects include breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, and irregular bleeding—these usually settle within 2-3 months as your body adjusts. Transdermal HRT (patches and gels) typically has fewer side effects than HRT tablets. If side effects persist, we can adjust your HRT type or dose. Serious side effects are rare with modern body-identical HRT when prescribed appropriately.

Body-identical HRT (sometimes called bioidentical HRT) uses hormones that are molecularly identical to those your body produces naturally. This includes oestradiol—found in HRT gels like Oestrogel and Sandrena, and HRT patches like Evorel and Estradot—plus micronised progesterone (Utrogestan). Body-identical HRT is regulated, evidence-based, and considered safer than older synthetic alternatives. All the HRT we prescribe at Bury Healthcare is body-identical.

Blood tests aren't always required to diagnose menopause if you're over 45 with typical symptoms—diagnosis is usually based on your symptoms and medical history. However, we recommend baseline bloods to check your general health, thyroid function (which can cause similar symptoms), and cardiovascular risk factors before starting HRT. This helps us prescribe safely and gives us a benchmark to monitor your progress.

Yes, you can access private HRT through clinics like Bury Healthcare Online. Private HRT offers faster access than NHS waiting lists, more appointment flexibility, longer consultations, and specialist menopause expertise. Our private HRT service starts from £129 for initial assessment (including blood tests and first month's medication), then £49/month for ongoing treatment, medication, and clinical support—all-inclusive with no hidden costs.

There's no single "best HRT"—it depends on your preferences, lifestyle, and medical history. HRT patches are convenient (changed twice weekly) and provide steady hormone levels. HRT gels allow flexible dosing and are invisible once absorbed. Both transdermal options avoid the liver and have a better safety profile than tablets. HRT tablets are simple but carry slightly higher clot risk. We'll discuss your options and recommend the best HRT for your individual needs.

Yes, HRT can help with joint and muscle pain that many women experience during menopause. Oestrogen has anti-inflammatory effects and helps maintain cartilage health. Many women notice significant improvement in joint stiffness and pain within 3-6 months of starting HRT. If joint pain is a major symptom for you, we'll factor this into your treatment plan.

Yes! If you're already on HRT with another private clinic or the NHS, you can transfer your care to us. We offer a discounted transfer consultation (£49) where we'll review your current treatment and set you up on our monthly subscription service. Just bring your recent blood results and current prescription details. Many patients transfer to us for our all-inclusive pricing and responsive clinical support.

Our pharmacy is based in Bury, Greater Manchester (46 Walmersley Road, BL9 6DP), and we serve patients across the North West including Manchester, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham, and wider Lancashire. Consultations are via video call so you can access our HRT clinic from anywhere in the UK. Blood tests can be done at our Bury pharmacy or via a home test kit. Medication is delivered free to your door or available for pharmacy collection.

With your consent, we'll send a letter to your GP informing them of your HRT treatment. This ensures continuity of care and means your GP records are up to date—important for any future healthcare. You can choose whether or not to share this information, but we recommend it for your safety.

Yes, you can cancel your HRT subscription anytime with no cancellation fees or penalties. We just ask for 7 days notice so we can pause your prescription appropriately. If you decide to restart HRT later, simply get in touch and we'll pick up where you left off—no need to pay the initiation fee again.