Feeling overwhelmed by all the noise around hormone replacement therapy? You’re not alone. With a flood of information, products, and conflicting advice available, from menopause teas to miracle supplements, it’s hard to know what really works. To cut through the confusion, we spoke with our hormone expert Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott, to share her expert insights on menopause, perimenopause, and the power of personalised hormone therapy.
The Myths and Misinformation Surrounding Menopause
Let’s start by debunking some myths. Despite increasing awareness of how debilitating it can be, Dr Ghazala says menopause is still widely misunderstood.
“There’s still a lot of education that needs to be done about the menopause,” she explains.
“As menopause has become a big seller, there’s a lot of misinformation circulating. But the truth is it’s important to really understand what’s happening to your hormones. Menopause care isn’t just about hormone replacement it’s about addressing your lifestyle, diet, sleep, stress and exercise. All of these factors have a significant impact on how you experience menopause.”
This holistic approach is what sets the Marion Gluck Clinic apart. The focus extends far beyond hormone replacement to supporting whole-body health.
“I think it’s a question of knowing where to turn, whether you want to take hormone replacement therapy or not, and also what other important steps you need to take for your health during perimenopause and menopause,” says Dr Ghazala.
Why Perimenopause Is So Complex
Perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause, can be one of the most challenging stages for women. Lasting anywhere from four to ten years, it’s often surrounded by confusion and misconceptions.
“Perimenopause is a period where hormones fluctuate,” says Dr Ghazala. “Many women become oestrogen dominant, with lower levels of progesterone. Conventional medicine often fails them here. Women over 45, for example, aren’t always offered blood tests and instead receive blanket doses of oestrogen and progesterone. If they’re already oestrogen dominant, this can make symptoms worse.”
For Dr Ghazala, the key is a tailored treatment plan. “It’s really important to have a personalised approach during the perimenopausal phase,” she explains.
Read our blog on balancing oestrogen with progesterone to find out more.
The Gold Standard in Hormone Replacement Therapy
When it comes to hormone replacement therapy, Dr Ghazala says that bioidentical hormones are the ‘gold standard’.
“Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those your body naturally produces,” she explains. “That means they fit the body’s receptors perfectly and mimic natural physiological effects. This reduces side effects and makes treatment more effective.”
Yet, synthetic hormones are still commonly prescribed, particularly in conventional medicine. “They’re not always the best choice for women in perimenopause or menopause,” she says.
Bioidentical hormones can be prescribed in regulated doses by pharmaceutical companies and are sometimes referred to as body identical hormones. But at the Marion Gluck Clinic, treatment can be taken a step further with compounded prescriptions.
“Compounded HRT is about tailoring the dose to the exact needs of each patient,” Dr Ghazala explains. “It’s made specifically for the individual, giving women truly personalised care.”
Read more on the benefits of bioidentical hormones here.
The Overlooked Role of Testosterone
“Testosterone plays an important role in libido, energy, motivation, and cognitive sharpness,” says Dr Ghazala. “Yet it’s often not prescribed by conventional hormone providers, as it isn’t licensed for use in women with general hormonal imbalances. Women may be on oestrogen and progesterone but still feel the effects of low testosterone. Replacing testosterone can often help alleviate these symptoms.”
Here’s everything you need to know about testosterone replacement therapy for women.
So, what other issues does Dr Ghazala see affecting women?
Weight gain is one of the most frequent, and frustrating, symptoms women can face during midlife. But, as Dr Ghazala stresses, it’s not just about willpower.
The causes of midlife weight gain in menopausal women can vary.
- Hormonal imbalances during perimenopause can contribute to weight gain.
- Women also become quite oestrogen dominant during this phase, which can lead to a weight increase.
- Women become more insulin resistant during menopause, which makes the body less efficient at metabolising glucose.
- Stress levels are often high during menopause, which leads to elevated cortisol, which can also lead to weight gain.
But perhaps one of the more surprising symptoms of hormonal imbalance is its effect on gut health.
“The gut microbiome is very sensitive to changes in hormones, and as women become menopausal the diversity of bacteria in their gut microbiome goes down, which then has repercussions on other aspects of their health.”
So, what advice does Dr Ghazala have for women struggling with their hormones?
“Menopause is a significant midlife shift. Hormones control every single function in the body, so when they fluctuate, it affects everything. Too often, women put themselves last, juggling families, careers, ageing parents and more. But self-care is essential. If you don’t look after yourself, you can’t look after others. Don’t suffer in silence as there is help available, and the right treatment can transform your quality of life.”
Curious to Learn More About Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Then watch Dr Ghazala shares more of her expert insights on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) on the SHECAN podcast, where she discusses the differences between bioidentical hormones and traditional HRT, as well as the personalised treatment approaches at the Marion Gluck Clinic.
Start Your Journey with the Marion Gluck Clinic
If you’re experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, then we are here to help.
At the Marion Gluck Clinic, we offer personalised, bioidentical hormone treatments designed around your symptoms and hormone levels.
Book your appointment now, and take the first step towards feeling like yourself again.
