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Female Hormone Clinic

How our service can help you

This unique outpatient service provides assessment and evidence-based treatments for women who suffer from serious mental health conditions, including psychosis and severe depression, at times of hormonal change (for example, pre-menstrual, peri and post-menopausal).

A subgroup of women experience highly significant cognitive, mood and neurological disorders associated with fluctuation of sex hormone levels. These windows of vulnerability can occur pre-menstrually, post-natally, or around the time of menopause. Although the underlying cause of these problems may include a complex interaction between psychological and social factors, there is increasing evidence that biological factors are also important.

Our team includes international experts in gynaecological endocrinology, psychiatry, psychology and neurology. They provide evidence-based treatments to manage disorders like premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), peri and post-menopausal mood and memory disorders, cyclical epilepsy and women with neurodevelopmental disorders (for example, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)).

There is a growing body of research that supports the use of specific nutritional, hormonal and non-hormonal (for example, psychological) treatments in the management of these disorders. It is, however, difficult to access expert, unbiased help. We have developed our national service, which is specifically designed to meet this need.

  • Service Type: Adult Mental Health Services (National) Service Borough Covers: National (Adult services) Treatment type: Outpatient

  • Contact the service

    Site Location: Maudsley Hospital Email: susan.hodges@slam.nhs.uk or susan.hodges1@nhs.net Fax Number: 020 3228 4183
  • Address: Maudsley Hospital
    Denmark Hill,
    London,
    SE5 8AZ

    • Other essential information

  • Conditions: Addictions, Anxiety, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism, Bipolar disorder, Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), Childhood degenerative disorders, Conduct disorder, Dementia, Depression, Dissociative disorders, Eating disorders, Learning disabilities, Neuropsychiatry, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Perinatal disorders, Persistent physical symptoms, Personality disorders, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Psychosexual, Psychosis, Self-harm

Interventions

  • Diagnostic assessment
  • Pharmacological treatments (hormonal and non-hormonal)
  • Psychological treatments including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

Eligibility criteria

  • Female only
  • 18 years and over

Outcomes

  • Recommendations for treatment to be managed locally
  • Reduction in symptoms
  • Improved daily functioning and quality of life

Care Options

Outpatient

Care option: Outpatient assessment 

Code: 92678

Unit: Per assessment 

Description: A member of the multi-professional team (for example, a reproductive psychiatrist) will carry out the initial part of the assessment. This will be followed by input from other team members (for example, a gynaecologist, and/or neurologist, and/or psychotherapist) depending on the specific needs of the person. Diagnoses are made by clinical interview using ICD-10 and DSM-V criteria and assisted by appropriate rating scales and diaries. 

Assessments include blood tests and, in a minority of cases, brain imaging or ambulatory monitoring (for example, of vasomotor symptoms). 

A treatment plan and detailed recommendations are provided.  

 

Care option: Outpatient treatment 

Code: 92672

Unit: Per session 

Description: Up to four pharmacological treatments (hormonal and non-hormonal), or psychological treatments, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). 

 

Care option: Female Hormone Clinic CBT

Code: 93073 

Unit: Per session 

Description: Recent research indicates that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). CBT interventions aim to address psychological symptoms (such as depression and interpersonal sensitivity) through individual therapy sessions focusing on how thoughts, feelings and behaviours impact upon general mood. CBT therapists collaborate with service users in order to develop joint understandings and interventions to address such difficulties. Up to 20 CBT treatment sessions are offered. 

CBT interventions help to modify and promote lifestyle; changes in diet and physical activity pattern can alleviate symptoms. Stress management strategies are also used to address psychological symptoms of PMS (somatisation, anxiety and hostility).

Referrals

Please include the following information when referring to our services:

  • Date of birth and address of patient
  • NHS number
  • Name and address of GP, if this is different from referrer
  • A rationale for seeking a referral to the Female Hormone Clinic
  • Information regarding any current or past contact with mental health services (for example, child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), community mental health team (CMHT) and/or educational psychologist assessment)
  • Information regarding any current or past medical and gynaecological treatment (for example, surgery, medication or psychotherapy)

You can also attach additional documents to your online referral including copies of any relevant correspondence (for example, assessment reports or clinic follow up letters).

Referral letters for this service can be emailed to susan.hodges@slam.nhs.uk or susan.hodges1@nhs.net. 

Or posted to: 

Dr Michael Craig PhD FRCOG FRCPsych
National Female Hormone Clinic
C/O National Autism Unit
Bethlem Royal Hospital
Monks Orchard Road
Witley one ward
Beckenham, BR3 3BX  

Our experts

Dr Micheal Craig, Consultant Psychiatrist - Read more

Micheal Marsh, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist - Read more

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