Menopause Clinic
Dr Karyn Forbes runs a dedicated Menopause and Women’s Health Clinic at Ochre Medical Centre Kotara. Karyn is a member of the Australasian Menopause Society and holds a Family Planning Association National Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health. She is also a qualified practitioner for IUD (Mirena/Kyleena) and Implanon insertions.
Karyn has a passion for caring for women throughout their lifespan, and in particular during the perimenopause and menopausal transition. She offers a rounded and supportive approach to this stage of midlife health and wellbeing and considers each woman’s unique health needs, identifying areas for optimisation and offering tailored and evidence-based treatment goals. Karyn also offers consultations to all women for contraceptive related services, including IUD (Mirena/Kyleena) and Implanon, as well as for sexual health and menstrual concerns.
“I love helping women to feel their best”
Karyn offers dedicated women’s health consultations as part of her Menopause and Women’s Health Clinic. These consultations are available to new and existing patients and include the following services:
- Perimenopause and Menopause consultations and evidence-based management options
- Review of existing health and optimisation of health across the female midlife
- Contraception advice and management, including IUD (Mirena / Kyleena) advice and insertions
- Sexual Health
- Menstrual concerns
Menopause FAQ
Menopause refers to the final menstrual period. A woman is considered to be post-menopausal when they have not had a period for 12 months. The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur naturally between the ages of 45 and 55. For most women, it is a natural process where the ovaries gradually stop functioning and producing hormones required for reproduction.
You can find some excellent information on Menopause here: Jean Hailes: What is Menopause?
It takes time for the menopause to happen. Over a period of about 5–10 years, the hormones that control the menstrual cycle start to become imbalanced and slowly reduce. This marks the start of the transition to menopause.
Periods may become irregular and sometimes heavier. You may also experience hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, irritability, poor sleep, aching joints, itchy skin, dry vagina, weight gain (typically around the abdomen and breasts) and lowered libido.
Dr Karyn understands the hormonal changes and challenges throughout this time and that each woman’s experience is unique. Dr Karyn offers a supportive approach to this stage of midlife health and wellbeing and, where desired, can develop a tailored, evidence-based treatment plan to suit your health goals.
For some women, if they have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), if they are using a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) or if they have had an ablation, they may not be experiencing a regular menstrual cycle and therefore may not know where they are in their menopausal transition. Dr Karyn will review your symptoms and may suggest some further testing if indicated.
Usually not. A blood test may be suggested to further investigate your symptoms if other causes may be indicated.
There are some specific situations where Hormone Replacement Therapy may be advised. For most women undergoing natural menopause, the decision to take hormone replacement is a personal one. Each woman’s experience of menopause is unique. There are safe and effective treatments available to alleviate symptoms and help you feel your best. Dr Karyn offers an evidence-based approach and tailors treatment plans to the specific needs of each woman.