Menopause in London can feel lonely when your family, your doctor and the words you grew up with are all in Greece. Hot flushes, poor sleep and mood changes are hard enough to describe in your own language, and harder in a second one.
This guide to menopause in London covers what the NHS says about the basics, when to speak to a doctor, and where to find a Greek-speaking gynaecologist on Harley Street. It is general information, not medical advice.
According to the NHS, menopause usually affects women between 45 and 55, although it can happen earlier. The years leading up to it are called perimenopause, when your periods start to change. You have reached menopause once you have gone 12 months without a period.
Symptoms are different for everyone. Some women notice very little, while others find that symptoms affect work, sleep and relationships. The NHS says they usually last 7 to 9 years, sometimes longer, and they can change over time. Common ones include:
The NHS advises speaking to a GP if you think you have symptoms and want to know your options, if you notice a fast or irregular heartbeat, or if your bleeding has become heavier rather than lighter.
One point matters more than the rest. Any vaginal bleeding after 12 months without a period should always be checked, even if it happens once and the amount is small. It is not usually serious, but it can occasionally be a sign of cancer, which is easier to treat when found early.
For many women, menopause in London means explaining intimate symptoms in a language that is not their own. A Greek-speaking doctor lets you describe exactly what you feel without searching for words, and explain your options in a way you fully understand. If you have tests or reports from Greece, bring them with you.
Dr Maria Papadopoulou is a gynaecologist and anti-ageing specialist who practises at the Bader Medical Institute of London on Harley Street. Her Greek List profile says she graduated in medicine from the University of Athens in 1997 and is recognised by the American Board of Anti-Ageing and Retrograde Medicine (ABAARM). She is also Vice President of the European Society of Aesthetic Gynaecology, and she speaks Greek and English.
Her areas of interest include menopause, hormonal health and anti-ageing medicine. She was also a guest on Hellenic TV’s #GreekStories, where she spoke with Avgoustinos Galiasos about women’s pelvic health.
Dr Maria Papadopoulou MD, Gynaecologist & Anti-ageing Specialist (Greek List member)
Bader Medical Institute of London, 75 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 8QL
Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)20 3149 9147
This is a private clinic, so ask about fees and whether your insurer covers the visit before you book.
Greek stop nearby: Opso Modern Greek Food at 10 Paddington St, W1U 5QL. Modern Greek sharing plates and a Greek wine list in the middle of Marylebone, a short walk from Harley Street.
Planning a visit about menopause in London? A little preparation makes the appointment more useful.
Looking for other specialists? See our guide to Greek doctors in London, or our list of Greek-speaking dietitians and nutritionists in London.
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