Menopause - time for an inclusive conversation

Dr Clare Spencer is a registered menopause specialist and an NHS GP. She qualified from Cambridge University and holds Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners. She initially trained in obstetrics and gynaecology where she gained a Doctor of Medicine for research in fetomaternal medicine.

As well as her role of Clinical Director at My Menopause Centre, she currently runs an NHS menopause service and is a GP partner in a practice in Leeds. She is also a British Menopause Society menopause trainer and is involved in educating GPs about the menopause transition through talks, lectures and seminars. Dr Spencer has written menopause training modules and pathways for doctors.net, the Primary Care Women’s Health forum publication, Her Life Her Health, and the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust.

While working as a GP she noticed a need for increased awareness and understanding of the menopause transition amongst her patients. As well as her own challenging menopause experience, she could see how their menopause symptoms were having a detrimental impact on all aspects of their lives and decided to qualify as a Menopause GP. Through her clinical work and being co-founder of My Menopause Centre, Clare is passionate about educating, empowering and supporting all women through all stages of their menopause transition.

Dr Manisha Singh is a Consultant in Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH) and Community Gynaecology with over 13 years of experience as the Lead Clinician and NHS Consultant. She is passionate about all aspects of women’s health through all life stages and the menopause in particular.

She has been a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists since 1998 and is also a Fellow of the Faculty of SRH. She is active in teaching and training and regularly organises and chairs regional training days and meetings. She is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds Medical school and is the Training Programme Director for postgraduate training and is incredibly proud of being a part of shaping the future consultant workforce in community SRH. She is a Council member at the Faculty of SRH and has other responsible Faculty roles.

Within her NHS Consultant role, Dr Manisha focuses on women’s health and complex contraception and is responsible for clinical supervision and governance as well as assuring high standard, evidence-based clinical care. Dr Manisha has experience in the different, often unrecognisable ways menopause can present, the negative impact this can have and the life-changing benefits of tailored and collaborative clinical management. She feels strongly about raising menopause awareness and easing access to holistic and empathetic care.

Dr Tonye Wokoma is an experienced Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Community Gynaecology and has been a BMS-recognised menopause specialist for almost 10 years. She was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in September 2016. She also holds the Faculty of Sexual Reproductive Health (FSRH) Advanced Menopause Certificate and is also the FSRH Menopause Guardian involved in the curriculum, logbook and training in menopause care basic and advanced certificate. A true advocate of women’s health and the menopause, she regularly facilitates and delivers sessions on contraception and menopause and has authored publications and delivered presentations regionally and nationally.

With a very kind and sympathetic approach Dr Tonye, is fully aware of the growing hunger for information and support for menopause care and believes in providing high-quality, individualised care for all women. During an initial consultation, Dr Tonye will explore her patient’s symptoms, needs and goals and, together with additional medical history, will work with her to establish the different options available for treatment and continuing the patient’s journey together.