Dr. Jo Vlies provides private menopause care, and all consultations, prescriptions, and investigations are privately funded as per our fee schedule.
Due to NHS guidelines, Dr. Vlies cannot treat patients registered at Knutsford Medical Partnership (including Toft Road Surgery, Manchester Road Medical Centre, Annandale, and Town Lane Surgeries), where she also works as an NHS GP.

Our pricing is transparent and tailored to the type of service you need. Please visit our pricing page for a detailed fee breakdown, including consultations, follow-ups, and any additional services.

Unfortunately some private insurers do not cover menopause. Please check directly with your insurance provider if you have any questions.

No, you can self-refer and book directly without a GP letter. To schedule your appointment, contact the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle.

This varies depending on your individual needs:

• Initial Consultation: After your first appointment, a follow-up in 3 months is recommended to evaluate how your treatment (e.g., HRT) is working.

• Ongoing Care: Most women benefit from an annual review to ensure their treatment remains safe and effective.

• Additional Support: If needed, short telephone consultations or email advice can be arranged before your next follow-up (fees apply as per the pricing schedule).

Absolutely. You can access your NHS GP at any time for menopause care or HRT prescriptions. However, some NHS GPs may not prescribe treatments such as testosterone, which are often available privately.
A private menopause consultation offers quicker access to expert advice and more time to create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs.

Menopause refers to the phase of life after a woman’s menstrual periods have permanently stopped. This means no periods for 12 months if you are over 50 or 24 months if you are under 50.

After menopause, levels of oestrogen and progesterone remain very low. For many women, this can lead to symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, and health concerns such as reduced bone density and increased cardiovascular risk.

The perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause when hormone levels fluctuate. This can last for a number of years before periods stop at menopause and symptoms can come and go as your hormone levels change.

Common symptoms include:

• Hot flushes and night sweats

• Changes in menstrual cycle (irregularity or flow)

• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings

• Vaginal dryness

• Sleep disturbances

• Joint pain

• Brain fog

• Hair and skin changes

Not all women experience all these symptoms and their severity varies from person to person.

HRT stands for Hormone Replacement Therapy. It involves replacing oestrogen (via gels, patches, sprays, or tablets) and, for women with a uterus, adding progesterone. HRT helps alleviate symptoms and offers long-term health benefits for bone and cardiovascular health.

Testosterone may be beneficial for women already on HRT who experience persistent symptoms like low sex drive.

• Monitoring: Testosterone therapy requires regular blood tests and expert oversight.