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Body Confidence Clinic

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Newport Pagnell
Body Confidence Clinic

Independent nurse practitioner with a special interest in women’s health. DFSRH
LOC IUT/SDI
Member of the British Menopause Society

08/09/2026

✨ Libido isn’t controlled by one hormone.

Good s*xual health is influenced by our hormones, physical health, psychological wellbeing, relationships and circumstances.

Testosterone can absolutely have a role — but it isn’t always the answer.

02/09/2026

💜 September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month

There are five main types of gynaecological cancer: ovarian, womb (endometrial), cervical, vulval and vaginal cancer.

Knowing what is normal for your body matters. Symptoms can vary, but things to look out for include:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding, including bleeding after s*x or after the menopause
• Persistent bloating or an increase in abdominal size
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
• Persistent vulval itching, soreness, skin changes, a lump or ulcer
• Unusual vaginal discharge

These symptoms do not necessarily mean cancer, but persistent, new or unexplained changes should always be checked.

And remember: cervical screening is designed to prevent cervical cancer by identifying high-risk HPV and abnormal cell changes — it does not screen for ovarian, womb, vulval or vaginal cancers.

This September, let’s encourage conversations about gynae health, reduce embarrassment around symptoms and empower women to seek advice when something doesn’t feel right.

💜 Know your body. Trust your instincts. Don’t ignore a change

30/08/2026

Feeling blessed. 🙏 Menopause experts supporting you 🇬🇧

29/08/2026

PROGESTERONE SENSITIVITY — WHEN THE PROGESTERONE PART OF HRT DOESN’T FEEL GOOD

Progesterone is important for anyone using systemic oestrogen who still has a uterus, as it protects the lining of the womb. But some people are particularly sensitive to progesterone/progestogens.

Symptoms may include:
• Low mood, anxiety or irritability
• Tearfulness or feeling emotionally “flat”
• Fatigue or brain fog
• Headaches or bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Sleepiness or dizziness
• A worsening of PMS/PMDD-type symptoms

The good news is that struggling with progesterone doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up HRT. There are options that can be explored individually with your clinician.

These may include changing the type, dose or route of progesterone, altering the regimen (continuous versus cyclical), or considering a Mirena IUS, which provides progestogen directly within the uterus and may be better tolerated by some women.

For some women who struggle with oral micronised progesterone, vaginal use of micronised progesterone may be considered off-label under specialist guidance. Any alternative regimen still needs to provide adequate endometrial protection.

There isn’t one HRT prescription that suits everyone. If progesterone is the part you struggle with, speak to a menopause-trained healthcare professional about whether your regimen can be adjusted safely.

Don’t simply stop your progesterone while continuing systemic oestrogen without seeking medical advice.

22/08/2026

HRT doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all package 🌿

There are several different types of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and the right option will depend on your symptoms, medical history, whether you still have a uterus and where you are in your menopause journey.

HRT may include:

✨ Systemic HRT – works throughout the body and can help symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance and mood changes.

🌸 Local vaginal oestrogen – specifically treats genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM), including vaginal dryness, soreness, discomfort and urinary symptoms. It can be used alone or alongside systemic HRT.

🔄 Sequential HRT – generally used if you are still having periods or are perimenopausal.

🌿 Continuous combined HRT – generally used once you are postmenopausal.

💗 Oestrogen-only HRT – usually suitable for those who have had a hysterectomy.

HRT can also be delivered in different ways, including patches, gels, sprays, tablets and vaginal preparations.

The important thing is finding an individualised treatment plan that takes into account your symptoms, preferences, medical history and personal risk factors.

📌 Image credit: Women’s Health Concern – the patient arm of the British Menopause Society.

18/08/2026

Protecting time to de-stress 🌿

We’re often very good at making time for work, family, appointments and everyone else — but not always so good at making time for ourselves.

Having some protected time to switch off and de-stress isn’t selfish or indulgent — it’s important for our wellbeing.

Chronic stress can affect our sleep, mood, energy, concentration and how well we cope with everyday life. And during perimenopause and menopause, when hormonal changes can already affect mood, anxiety and sleep, reducing the additional stress load can be particularly valuable.

Protected time doesn’t have to mean hours of meditation or an expensive spa day. It might simply be:

🌿 A walk without your phone
☕ Sitting quietly with a coffee
📖 Reading a book
🏋️ Moving your body
🎧 Listening to music or a podcast
🛁 Having a bath
💬 Spending time with someone who makes you feel good
…or simply doing absolutely nothing for a while.

The important part? Put it in the diary and protect it.

We schedule everything else that matters.
Our wellbeing deserves a place in the diary too. 💙

07/08/2026

An afternoon well spent. 📚🏥

Today I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon shadowing in gynaecology.

One of the things I value most as a healthcare professional is never stopping learning. Spending time alongside colleagues, seeing different presentations, discussing management options, and sharing experiences is invaluable.

Every opportunity like this helps me broaden my knowledge and deepen my understanding.

A huge thank you to the team for such an insightful and educational afternoon.

29/07/2026

🧠 Why do hormones affect your mood?

If your mood changes before your period or during perimenopause, you’re not imagining it.

💜 Oestrogen supports the production and activity of serotonin – one of the brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitters that helps regulate mood, sleep and emotional wellbeing. As oestrogen fluctuates or falls, serotonin activity can reduce, leading to low mood, anxiety and irritability.

🌙 Progesterone is often calming because it is converted into allopregnanolone, which acts on GABA receptors in the brain. However, in people with PMS or PMDD, the brain is more sensitive to the normal rise and fall of progesterone and allopregnanolone. It’s this altered brain response—not abnormal hormone levels—that can trigger severe mood symptoms.

🌸 During perimenopause, hormone fluctuations become more unpredictable, so mood changes may become more frequent or more intense, particularly if you’ve always experienced PMS.

✨ The good news? These symptoms are real, they’re biological, and effective treatments are available. You don’t have to struggle through them alone.

23/07/2026

How Long Can I Take HRT For? 🤔

One of the most common questions I get asked is: “How long can I stay on HRT?”

The simple answer is: there is no arbitrary time limit.

According to the British Menopause Society (BMS), HRT should be individualised and reviewed regularly. The decision to continue should be based on your symptoms, health risks, personal preferences, and the balance of benefits and risks.

✅ HRT can be highly effective for managing menopausal symptoms such as:
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Sleep disturbance
• Mood changes
• Brain fog
• Joint aches
• Genitourinary symptoms such as vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms

✅ For women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or an early menopause, HRT is usually recommended until at least the average age of natural menopause (around 51 years).

✅ Many women continue HRT beyond the age of 60 if the benefits outweigh any potential risks.

Regular reviews are important to ensure you are on the most appropriate treatment and dose for your individual needs.

Remember: Menopause is not a one-size-fits-all journey, and neither is HRT.

If you’re wondering whether to continue, stop, or adjust your HRT, speak to a healthcare professional experienced in menopause care.

17/07/2026

What Should You Expect From Your Healthcare Professional?

Your healthcare professional should be more than someone who simply prescribes treatment. They should be your partner in healthcare.

✔️ Someone who listens
You should feel heard. Your symptoms, concerns, and experiences matter and deserve to be taken seriously.

✔️ Someone who validates your experience
Symptoms are real, even when the cause isn’t immediately obvious. A good clinician will acknowledge how you’re feeling and work with you to understand what’s happening.

✔️ Someone who uses evidence-based information
Healthcare advice should be guided by the latest research, national guidelines, and clinical expertise—not social media trends or misinformation.

✔️ Someone who explains your options
You should be given clear, balanced information about the benefits, risks, and alternatives available to you.

✔️ Someone who works with you to create a plan
The best healthcare decisions are made together. Your preferences, values, and goals should be part of the conversation.

✔️ Someone who knows when to seek additional expertise
No healthcare professional has all the answers. Good clinicians recognise when specialist input is needed and will refer or collaborate with colleagues to ensure you receive the best possible care.

✔️ Someone who supports you throughout your journey
Healthcare is rarely a one-off appointment. Ongoing review, support, and adjustment of your plan are often just as important as the initial consultation.

You deserve healthcare that is compassionate, collaborative, and evidence-based.

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Newport Pagnell
MK168HX

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