{"id":3003,"date":"2025-10-26T18:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T18:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/ebn\/?p=3003"},"modified":"2025-10-27T14:14:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T14:14:52","slug":"specialist-menopause-care-in-nursing-why-do-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/ebn\/2025\/10\/26\/specialist-menopause-care-in-nursing-why-do-that\/","title":{"rendered":"Specialist Menopause Care in Nursing \u2013 Why do that?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>This final blog in our October spotlight on menopause comes from Ruth Bailey and Debra Holloway who give an outline of their specialist nursing roles across both secondary and primary care.<\/p>\n

Menopause Specialist in Primary Care- Why do that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ruth Bailey MSc BSc (Hons) RGN DCSRH Onc Cert QN<\/p>\n

ANP, Sexual Health, HavensHealth<\/p>\n

I currently work as an advanced Nurse Practitioner, sexual health, in a large GP practice and I can honestly say it\u2019s one of the most rewarding posts of my career.\u00a0 I work clinically to support patients with their contraceptive choices, cervical screening, sexual health and menopause management. As an ANP, I have a role in practice development, education and training and acting as a resource.<\/p>\n

Originally, I was a practice nurse specializing in Women\u2019s Health, through that route I became a nurse team leader in a sexual health clinic where I gained a diploma in sexual and reproductive health, letters in competence in fitting long-acting reversible contraception and a College Registered Trainer Education & Training | CoSRH<\/a><\/p>\n

Many of the patients I supported were experiencing symptoms of perimenopause and often choosing to have a hormonal coil fitted for both contraception and HRT. Our service was not funded to provide menopause care, and I felt frustrated that I could not give fully comprehensive care because of this service limitation.\u00a0 I recognized that I could not advise women answer their questions on menopause so I decided to extend my knowledge by undertaking Menopause the foundations course Menopause \u2013 The Foundations (2-day course for nurses) – British Menopause Society<\/a> and I haven\u2019t looked back!<\/p>\n

After my initial qualification I moved to Primary Care as an ANP, and with the support of my GP supervisor was able to see patients for menopause as well as contraception, extending my skills and enabling me to provide a more holistic service.<\/p>\n

I was then able to undertake the BMS advanced certificate in principles and practice menopause care BMS Principles and Practice of Menopause Care – British Menopause Society<\/a>\u00a0 and was extremely lucky to have a clinical placement at Guys specialist clinic with Debby as my trainer.\u00a0 This placement gave me experience in managing patients with more complex needs and connected me with a professional community who are equally passionate in their pursuit of excellence in women\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

Since then, I have continued to support patients in primary care and enjoy deep professional satisfaction on being able to advice on menopause choices, prescribe appropriately, fit hormonal coils if required and manage any side effects.<\/p>\n

Through my role on the RCN women\u2019s health forum, Women’s Health Forum | Royal College of Nursing<\/a> I have had opportunity to develop resources for Nurses, contribute to a wide range of publications and educational events and to shape policy development through the RCN\u2019s voice on All Party Parliamentary Groups.<\/p>\n

There is still a long way to go to ensure every woman in the UK receives an evidenced based personalized management plan of their choice, but by supporting nurses to extend their skills in this specialist area, we can be part of this much needed transformation in women\u2019s heath.<\/p>\n

Secondary care menopause \u2013 why do that!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Debra Holloway MBE, FRCN, FRCOG, RGN, MSc, BA (hons)<\/p>\n

When I started my career in women\u2019s health menopause was not a big specialty.\u00a0 However, as I progressed into outpatient clinics I was encouraged by a very supportive consultant and mentor to work within the menopause clinic. At this time there were a lot of HRT implants, not much choice in HRT but a lot of help that could be given to women. My interest increased over the years as did my learning, membership of the very inclusive British Menopause society https:\/\/thebms.org.uk<\/a> \u00a0and the expansion of the clinics as knowledge increased. Fast forward a few too many years (including the difficult time after the publication of the Women\u2019s Health Initiative study) and a lot of learning and opportunities and the clinic was a specialist tertiary centre for menopause.<\/p>\n

But what did this mean for a nurse. I was able to:<\/p>\n