Womens Health

The following information may be of particular interest to women and details can be found below on this page.

• Family Planning
• Maternity
• Menopause
• Smear tests
• Well Woman Check

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Menopause & Perimenopause Care , From a Menopause specialist GP who knows you

We are delighted to offer a dedicated Menopause Clinic with our specialist (British Menopause Society trained) menopause Doctor, Dr. Suzanne McDonnell.

Hot flushes, brain fog, low mood, disrupted sleep, joint aches? Perimenopause and Menopause can affect every part of life, often during your busiest years. At Wheaton Hall Medical, we offer dedicated, unhurried menopause consultations from your own GP practice, so you get expert care without losing the continuity of seeing a doctor who already knows your history.

Book a Consultation 041-9846846

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Why Choose Our Menopause Clinic

Continuity of care. Unlike one-off private menopause clinics, we already know your medical history, family background, and other health concerns so your menopause care fits into the bigger picture of your health, not a standalone appointment with a stranger.

Time to be heard. Initial consultations are 30minutes, enough time to properly explore your symptoms, history, and options, without feeling rushed.

Evidence-based, individualised care. We follow current national and international guidance (HSE, NICE, Irish Menopause Society, British Menopause Society) and tailor treatment to your needs whether that’s HRT, non-hormonal options, or lifestyle-based approaches.

A full range of support including:

– Symptom assessment and diagnosis

– HRT initiation, titration, and monitoring (patches, gels, tablets, Mirena IUS)

– Non-hormonal treatment options

– Testosterone for libido, where appropriate

– Bone health and cardiovascular risk assessment

– Vaginal health and intimacy concerns

– Sexual Health Check-up

– Premature ovarian insufficiency and surgical menopause support

Our Services

Initial Menopause Consultation

30minutes

A comprehensive assessment of your symptoms, medical and family history, and risk factors, leading to a personalised treatment plan to suit your needs, whether that’s HRT, non-hormonal options, or lifestyle measures.

Follow-Up & Annual Review

15 minutes

Ongoing monitoring and treatment adjustment, typically at 3 months after starting treatment, then annually once stable.

Partner & Family Support

Menopause affects relationships too. We offer a written guide for partners and family, and the option of a short joint session to help your partner understand and support you.

What to Expect at Your First Visit with Dr. Suzanne McDonnell, Menopause Specialist GP

1. Before your appointment: You’ll receive a short questionnaire to complete in advance, covering your symptoms, history, and what matters most to you. This helps us make the most of your consultation time.
2. During your consultation: We’ll talk through your symptoms, history, and any concerns, complete relevant checks (blood pressure, BMI), and discuss your options together.
3. After your consultation: You’ll leave with a clear plan, written information where relevant, and a follow-up date if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to attend?

No, you can book directly with our clinic.

Will I need blood tests?

Usually not. For most women over 45 with typical symptoms, menopause is diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Blood tests are only used in specific situations, your GP will discuss this with you if relevant. Blood tests are included in the initial consultation price so that your overall health can be established including cardiovascular risk.

Is HRT safe?

For most women under 60 starting HRT, the benefits outweigh the risks. Your GP will talk through your individual risk profile so you can make an informed decision.

What if HRT isn’t suitable for me?

We’ll discuss non-hormonal treatment options, including lifestyle measures and other medications where appropriate.

How much does it cost?

Initial Menopause Consultation, 30 minutes        €180 including bloods

Follow up/review consultation, 15 minutes            €70 (free for GMS/DVC)

Annual HRT review                                                      €70

Add on: Mirena IUS, as part of progesterone HRT €180

Add on: Joint session with Partner                           €40

Can my GMS/medical card be used?

There is a private fee for initial assessment, with GMS-eligible follow-ups including Mirena fitting as needed.

Can I get a full health and sexual screen?

A HRT consultation is an ideal time to complete a full health check including BMI, BP, Cardiovascular risk and a full sexual health check including STI screening as needed.

Booking

Ready to talk to someone who understands? Book Your Consultation by calling the clinic directly

Menopause care delivered with the continuity, confidentiality, and personal understanding of your own GP practice.

Family Planning Services

A full range of family planning services is available from the practice, which we hope will meet the needs of our patients. These include:

• Oral contraceptive pills
• Injectable contraceptives
• Mirena Coil, Kyleena Coil, Copper Coil
• Implanon
• Natural Family planning
• Emergency contraception

Please contact the nurse or doctor to discuss your family planning needs.

The practice is registered for the Free Contraception Scheme for patients in the eligible age ranges.

For more information on what contraception may be right for you, visit: https://www.sexualwellbeing.ie/sexual-health/contraception/

Pregnancy Care

At Wheaton Hall, we offer combined Ante-Natal care, usually with an obstetrician, under the Maternity and Infant Care scheme. The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. This service is provided by a GP of your choice and a hospital obstetrician and is delivered by our team of doctors and nurses at Wheaton Hall.

To avail of the service, the GP will provide you with an application form, which they will complete with you. This is returned to the HSE where it will be processed for inclusion in the Scheme.

The GP provides an initial examination, if possible before 12 weeks, and a further 6 examinations during the pregnancy, which are alternated with visits to your maternity unit/hospital. The schedule of visits may be changed by your GP and/or hospital obstetrician depending on your individual situation.

Where an expectant mother suffers from a significant illness, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, up to 5 additional visits to the GP may be provided. However care in respect of illnesses which are co-incidental with, but not related to your pregnancy, does not form part of the Scheme.

After the birth, the practice nurse will see your baby at 2 weeks, and your GP will examine both mother and baby at 6 weeks.

COST

All visits to the practice under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme are free of charge

Cervical Smear Tests

We are pleased to participate in the National Cervical Screening Programme “CervicalCheck”. All women between the ages of 25 and 65 are entitled to a cervical smear test free of charge, every 3 years up to the age of 30 and every 5 years to age 65. However you must have received an invitation from CervicalCheck to avail of the free service. If you have not been contacted by CervicalCheck but you feel that your smear is due, then you should register by ringing 1800454555 or go to www.cervicalcheck.ie.

“Prevention is better than cure” is a principle that underlies many of the services available to you. Cervical smear testing is an important tool in the prevention of cancer and we would like to encourage all women who attend the practice to undergo this simple test on a regular basis (once you have a smear in the practice, our recall system is available to remind you when your next smear is due).

Our practice nurse is available for routine smear testing, so please contact the surgery if you feel that a smear test is overdue.

COST

There is no charge for cervical screening when it is part of the CervicalCheck programme

Breast Check

We would very much recommend that women avail of the national breast cancer screening programme
You will become eligible for breast screening once you reach the age of 50. Your first invitation will depend on when screening is available in your area.
This will be within two years of your 50th birthday. Screening continues up to the age of 69

click on “BreastCheck” for further details

Well Woman Checks

Our nurses offer a simple well woman check which includes:

• blood pressure
• cholesterol
• cervical smear
• breast examination