Perimenopause and menopause care in St Leonards
I’m an obstetrician and gynaecologist (FRANZCOG) with a particular interest in perimenopause, menopause and midlife women’s health. I see women at the North Shore Health Hub in St Leonards, close to North Shore Private and Royal North Shore hospitals. A current referral from your GP lets you claim a Medicare rebate.
You don’t need to wait until symptoms are severe
It’s worth seeing a gynaecologist if changes to your periods, sleep, mood, energy or body are affecting your daily life, or if you’d like a gynaecologist’s view before deciding on treatment. Please make an appointment if you have:
- heavy, irregular or prolonged bleeding during perimenopause
- any bleeding after menopause
- signs of early menopause, before age 45
- questions about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), particularly with a complex medical history
- symptoms that haven’t settled with your current treatment
Your first appointment
Your first appointment is longer, so there is time to understand what you’re experiencing. We’ll talk through your symptoms, your periods, your medical and family history and what matters most to you. Where it will help, I may suggest an examination or tests, such as blood tests, a pelvic ultrasound or a bone density scan.
You’ll leave with a plan we have made together, and I’ll write to your GP with my assessment.
What to bring
- A current referral from your GP
- Recent blood tests, scans and cervical screening results
- A list of the medicines and supplements you take
Treatment options
There’s no single right treatment for perimenopause or menopause. We’ll look at what you’re experiencing, your health history and your preferences, then talk through the options together, including their benefits and risks.
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
For many women, MHT is an effective treatment for hot flushes, night sweats and other menopausal symptoms. It can be taken as a tablet, a patch or a gel, and women who have a uterus also need a progestogen to protect its lining. Whether MHT suits you depends on your age, the time since your last period and your medical history, which we’ll go through together.
Vaginal and bladder symptoms
Dryness, discomfort with sex and some bladder symptoms are common after menopause. Low-dose vaginal oestrogen and other treatments can help.
Looking after your long-term health
Midlife is a good time to plan for the years ahead. We can review your individual risk factors and focus on what makes a difference over the long term, including heart and bone health, strength, pelvic floor health and screening.
Working with your GP
Your GP stays at the centre of your care. After each appointment I write to your GP with my assessment and the plan we’ve agreed. Many women see me for an assessment and a review, then continue their care with their GP, coming back if anything changes.
About Dr Rachael Hickinbotham
I’m a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG), with over 20 years of professional healthcare experience, including work as an intensive care nurse before medicine. I’m a member of the Australasian Menopause Society and the British Menopause Society, and I care for women at the Mater Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital.
Common questions
When does perimenopause start?
Perimenopause often begins in your 40s, although it can start earlier and last several years. Menopause is confirmed 12 months after your final period.
How do I know if I’m in perimenopause?
Common signs include changes to your periods, hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood changes and difficulty concentrating. For women over 45, perimenopause is usually diagnosed from your symptoms and periods, and blood tests are often not needed.
Is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) right for me?
For many women, MHT is an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. Whether it is right for you depends on your age, health and medical history, which we will talk through together.
My GP already prescribes MHT. Can I still see you?
Yes. Women often see a gynaecologist to review their treatment, for symptoms that continue on treatment, for bleeding while taking MHT, or with questions about longer-term use.
Do I need a referral?
You can make an enquiry without one. You’ll need a current referral from your GP to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultation.
Where do you consult?
At the North Shore Health Hub in St Leonards, with patient parking in the Wilson car park in the same building.
Further reading: Australasian Menopause Society and healthdirect.
Written by Dr Rachael Hickinbotham, RN, MBBS, FRANZCOG. Last reviewed October 2026.
Make a Menopause Enquiry
Before your appointment
Please bring a current referral from your GP. You will need one to claim your Medicare rebate. Please also bring a copy of any blood tests or recent investigations. For fees and availability, call Rachel at reception on (02) 9439 0369, Monday to Thursday, 9am–5pm.
Where I consult
Tower A, Level 2, Suite A.208, North Shore Health Hub, 7 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065