Menopause care in West Pennant Hills.
Expert care, built around you.
Personalised care for perimenopause, menopause and beyond, from a GP who has the time to listen. Hormone therapy, symptom relief and a whole-person approach, in person at West Pennant Hills or by secure telehealth across Australia.
in person or video
to first visit
rebate applies
Menopause is more than hot flushes.
Perimenopause and menopause can affect sleep, mood, memory, weight and more, often years before periods stop. If you recognise any of these, you are not imagining it, and most can be managed with the right plan.
Hot flushes & sweats
Sudden warmth, night sweats, disrupted sleep.
As oestrogen falls, the part of the brain that regulates temperature becomes more sensitive, triggering sudden heat, flushing and sweating, often worse at night. They can range from a mild nuisance to genuinely disruptive, and there are several effective approaches worth discussing, from lifestyle adjustments to hormonal and non-hormonal options.
Sleep disruption
Insomnia, frequent waking, poor recovery.
Hormonal change can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, and night sweats often wake you just as you settle. Poor sleep then feeds into mood, focus and energy the next day. Understanding what is driving the disruption is the first step to addressing it properly.
Brain fog & memory
Word-finding difficulty, concentration changes.
Trouble finding words, losing your train of thought, or feeling mentally slower are common and well-recognised in perimenopause and menopause. It does not mean something is seriously wrong with your memory. These changes are linked to hormonal shifts and disrupted sleep, and are worth reviewing as part of a broader picture.
Mood & anxiety
Low mood, irritability, anxiety, tearfulness.
Fluctuating hormones can affect mood directly, bringing low mood, irritability or anxiety that can feel unlike you. This is a recognised part of the menopause transition, not a personal failing. It deserves the same careful attention as any other symptom, and there are real options to discuss.
Weight & metabolism
Stubborn weight gain, central fat, metabolic shift.
Many women notice weight settling around the middle and metabolism feeling different, even when eating and activity have not changed. Hormonal shifts change how the body stores fat and uses energy. A considered approach looks at hormones, sleep, muscle and nutrition together rather than in isolation.
Libido & intimacy
Low libido, vaginal dryness, painful intimacy.
Lower oestrogen can reduce desire and cause vaginal dryness or discomfort that makes intimacy painful. These are common, treatable, and entirely reasonable to raise with your doctor. A calm, judgement-free conversation is often all it takes to find a way forward.
Irregular cycles
Erratic periods, heavy bleeding, unpredictable timing.
Cycles becoming shorter, longer, lighter or heavier is one of the earliest signs of perimenopause. Most changes are a normal part of the transition, but some patterns are worth checking. Heavy or unusual bleeding in particular is always worth reviewing with your GP.
Joints & fatigue
Aches, stiffness, fatigue, energy crashes.
Aching joints, stiffness and a deeper tiredness than usual are frequently reported and often overlooked as menopause symptoms. Oestrogen plays a role in joint and muscle comfort and in energy. When these appear alongside other changes, they are worth looking at as part of the whole picture.
It often starts earlier than you think.
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate. For many women it begins in their early to mid 40s, and sometimes in the late 30s, years before periods actually stop. Because cycles can still be regular at first, the early signs are often mistaken for stress, low iron, thyroid problems or simply being busy.
The hallmark is change. Periods that shift in timing or flow, sleep that breaks up, a mood that feels less steady, new anxiety, brain fog, or a body that responds differently to the same food and exercise. You do not have to wait until periods stop to seek help. Early assessment lets us look after your symptoms now and protect your longer-term bone, heart and metabolic health, which all shift as oestrogen declines.
If you are in your 40s and something feels off, that is reason enough to book. We will take a proper history, review or arrange the right tests, and build a plan that fits where you actually are in the transition.
Hormone therapy, and the alternatives.
There is no single right answer for everyone. We talk through the options, hormonal and non-hormonal, so you can make an informed choice that suits your history, symptoms and preferences. All care is individualised and aligned with current Australasian Menopause Society guidance.
Menopause hormone therapy (MHT)
Also known as HRT. Modern body-identical oestrogen and progesterone, in patches, gels, sprays or tablets, can be very effective for flushes, sleep and mood. We discuss the benefits and risks for your individual situation and review regularly.
Vaginal and local oestrogen
For vaginal dryness, discomfort, painful intimacy or recurrent urinary symptoms, low-dose local oestrogen treats the problem directly and can be used by many women, including some who cannot take systemic MHT.
Testosterone, where appropriate
For some women with persistent low libido after other factors are addressed, testosterone may be considered. It is prescribed selectively, in line with current guidance, and monitored carefully.
Non-hormonal options
Not everyone wants or can take hormones. Several non-hormonal medications and therapies can help with flushes, mood and sleep, and we will talk you through what the evidence supports.
Lifestyle and nutrition
Resistance training, sleep, alcohol, protein and bone-protective nutrition all matter in midlife. Where it helps, you also have access to our in-house dietitian (see below).
Long-term health review
Menopause is a window to check bone density, heart and metabolic risk. We build screening and prevention into your plan, not just symptom relief.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Whether any treatment, including MHT, is right for you depends on your individual history. Dr Paul will assess your suitability and discuss the benefits and risks with you.
A whole-person approach.
Personalised assessment
A thorough review of your symptoms, health risks and lifestyle, to build a plan that fits your life.
Evidence-based guidance
A clear discussion of hormonal and non-hormonal options, lifestyle changes and nutrition support.
Pathology review
Review of your existing results, or ordering the right new tests, to guide safe and effective treatment.
Ongoing support
Follow-up consults to adjust treatment, review progress and support you as your needs evolve.
In-house dietetics, built for midlife.
Nutrition is one of the most under-prescribed parts of menopause care. When you book with Dr Paul, you also have access to Mary-Anne Chamoun, our in-house Accredited Practising Dietitian, with specific clinical expertise in perimenopause and menopause nutrition. Available when, and only when, it is clinically useful.
Protein distribution, carbohydrate timing, bone density and cardiovascular support, gut health, and resistance-training nutrition.
Book with Mary-Anne Chamoun →
Mary-Anne Chamoun
Dietitian · APD
Perimenopause and menopause nutrition, integrated with your medical care.
Menopause care for West Pennant Hills, and all of Australia.
See Dr Paul in person at our West Pennant Hills clinic, or by secure video consult anywhere in Australia. In-person and telehealth fees are identical, and telehealth slots often open sooner.
In person, in the Hills District
Our clinic is at 70 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills, with on-site parking and pathology. We see women from across West Pennant Hills, Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Pennant Hills, Beecroft and the wider Hills District and Upper North Shore.
Telehealth, Australia-wide
If a clinic visit is not practical, secure video consults let you see the same GP from home, anywhere in Australia. Ideal for follow-ups, script reviews and busy schedules, with Medicare rebates subject to standard telehealth rules.
Clear fees. In person or video.
Every fee published, including your real out-of-pocket gap after the Medicare rebate. Telehealth and in-person fees are identical.
Menopause consultation fees
Effective 2026 · Private billing · Medicare rebate applies
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Initial consultation45 minutes · in person or telehealth$330$125.10$204.90
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Follow-up consultation20 minutes · phone, video or in person$185$84.90$100.10
Columns: our fee, the Medicare rebate, and your out-of-pocket gap. Medicare rebates require a valid Medicare card. Telehealth rebates are subject to standard eligibility rules.
New Medicare item
Menopause and Perimenopause Health Assessment (MBS item 695). Since July 2025, eligible patients can receive a dedicated, longer menopause health assessment once every 12 months, which attracts a higher Medicare rebate (around $101.90). If you are eligible, Dr Paul will let you know and bill this item where it applies. It does not replace your usual consultations, it is an additional annual assessment for women experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms.
Before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a menopause GP?
No referral is required. You can book directly online or call reception on 02 9680 9644, as a new or existing patient.
When should I see a GP for perimenopause?
Earlier than most women think. Hormonal changes can begin in your late 30s or 40s, years before periods stop. If your cycles, sleep, mood or energy have changed and something feels off, that is reason enough to book. Early assessment helps with symptoms now and protects long-term bone, heart and metabolic health.
Is hormone therapy (MHT) right for me?
It depends on your medical history, symptoms and preferences. MHT is effective for many women, but it is not the only option and not suitable for everyone. During your consult, all options, hormonal and non-hormonal, are discussed along with their benefits and risks, so you can make an informed choice. Dr Paul assesses your individual suitability.
Can testosterone be used for menopause symptoms?
For some women with persistent low libido, once other contributing factors have been addressed, testosterone may be considered. It is prescribed selectively and in line with current Australasian Menopause Society guidance, and monitored with follow-up. Dr Paul will discuss whether it is appropriate for you.
Is there a Medicare rebate for a menopause consultation?
Yes. Standard consultations attract a Medicare rebate, with the out-of-pocket gaps published in our fees table. In addition, since July 2025, eligible patients can receive a dedicated Menopause and Perimenopause Health Assessment (MBS item 695) once a year, which carries a higher rebate of around $101.90. Dr Paul will let you know if you are eligible.
Can I have my menopause consultation by telehealth?
Yes, across Australia. Secure video consultations are available Australia-wide, with the same fees as in-person visits. Medicare rebates apply subject to standard telehealth eligibility rules. Telehealth appointments often open up sooner than in-person ones.
Do you see patients from across the Hills District?
Yes. Our clinic is in West Pennant Hills, and we see women in person from across Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Pennant Hills, Beecroft and the wider Hills District and Upper North Shore. Anyone elsewhere in Australia can see Dr Paul by telehealth.
How soon can I book, and what should I bring?
Most patients are seen within 1 to 2 weeks, and telehealth slots often sooner. For your first appointment, bring your Medicare card, a list of current medications and supplements, and any recent pathology results. Jotting down your most bothersome symptoms beforehand helps us prioritise.
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