News & Updates
Perimenopause
This is a time when the ovaries begin to produce less oestrogen due to the reduction in eggs. Periods are more 'spaced out' and eventually stop altogether. The perimenopause usually starts in your forties. Symptoms vary between individuals, lasting for a few months or...
Appointments for Face to Face Consultations and by Telehealth
Dr Bellamy is now taking appointments for face to face consultations and by Telehealth for 2023. In person consultations will be in her rooms in Camperdown. The address is Suite G03 30 Pyrmont Bridge Road Camperdown 2050. Having a face to face consultation will...
Hormone Therapy Could Prevent Alzheimer’s
Hormone therapy could prevent Alzheimer's among certain women. A new study has found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with better memory, cognition and larger brain volumes in later life among women carrying the APOE4 gene, which is the strongest...
Low Estrogen May Increase Coronavirus Risk
Postmenopausal women with lower levels of estrogen appear to be at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, research suggests. The study, led by a team at King's College London, UK, found high levels of estrogen may have a protective effect against the virus. Using...
Choice of Menopause Treatment and Breast Cancer Risk
There has been a lot of discussion about a recent meta-analysis published In August by the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. The data came from studies on more than 100,000 post-menopausal women who developed the condition. The analysis...
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Doctor Maree Bellamy
Doctor Maree Bellamy provides an integrated approach combined with over 25 years of experience.
Changing Attitudes to Menopause and Perimenopause Treatment![]()
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Pauline Maki is an Expert Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Women’s Health, as well as an expert medical advisor at acclaimed actress, director, producer, advocate, and entrepreneur, Halle Berry’s menopause care platform, Respin Health, ![]()
She recently commented that these organisations are helping translate science into clinical standards and employer policies, while informing policy frameworks that leaders can adopt and fund. ![]()
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She says that their work with Halle Berry, who recently joined the Global Alliance for Women’s Health as Public Ambassador, showcases the sheer appetite and momentum that exists to redefine menopause and empower women to be the guardians of their own health. ![]()
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Maki believes that when women’s health is prioritized, families and economies function better. Earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment reduce absenteeism. Menopause supportive workplaces keep experienced talent on the job and reduce turnover. She stresses that the more important return, however, is human. Better sleep, clearer thinking, steadier mood, and restored confidence change how women experience midlife. That is growth measured in dignity and opportunity. ![]()
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Maki states that evidence based options include lifestyle approaches, non-hormonal treatments, and, when appropriate and safe, hormonal therapies guided by informed choice. Care should consider mental health and cardiometabolic risk, since sleep disruption, mood changes, and metabolic shifts often travel together.![]()
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Halle Berry commented “When we leave women to figure menopause out alone, we pay a grave price in health, productivity, and our very own dignity. We have to normalize this conversation about menopause. We have to make guidance useable. We have to improve access to quality care, and we need to invest in research and innovation”.
The brain science of perimenopause - an interesting article explaining the transition through perimenopause to menopause, and the impact it has on brain function. See the link below to the ABC article.![]()
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The brain science of perimenopause can change everything for women
www.abc.net.au
'Brain fog' during perimenopause is real, and it can disrupt women's lives and careers. It's one of many cognitive impacts of the transition to menopause.
Perimenopause![]()
This is a time when the ovaries begin to produce less oestrogen due to the reduction in eggs. Periods are more 'spaced out' and eventually stop altogether. The perimenopause usually starts in your forties. Symptoms vary between individuals, lasting for a few months or sometimes years (average of 5 ). ![]()
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Regular ovulation produces a hormone called Progesterone in the second half of the cycle. It stabilises the lining of the uterus and stops it from thickening. When ovulation happens less often, the lining can build up, leading to unpredictable and sometimes heavy bleeding. ![]()
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There are things that can be done if perimenopause is interfering with your quality of life. See your doctor.![]()
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Perimenopause symptoms include abnormal bleeding, hot flushes a disturbed sleep and moods, vaginal dryness, reduced libido and difficulty having intercourse. It is worth while having a discussion with your doctor, to decide what assessments and treatments are indicated.
Hormone therapy could prevent Alzheimer's among certain women.![]()
A new study has found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with better memory, cognition and larger brain volumes in later life among women carrying the APOE4 gene, which is the strongest risk factor gene for Alzheimer's disease. ![]()
Alzheimer’s disease can be a devastating diagnosis for the patient as well as their loved ones. It is the most common form of dementia and leads to progressive deterioration of the brain. Over time it impacts memory, cognitive skills and other mental abilities![]()
The team at the University of East Anglia (UEA) found that HRT was most effective in terms of memory and cognition when introduced early in the menopause journey.![]()
Study lead and director of the Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging at UEA, Professor Anne-Marie Minihane, said: “We know that 25 percent of women in the UK are carriers of the APOE4 gene and that almost two thirds of Alzheimer’s patients are women.![]()
“In addition to living longer, the reason behind the higher female prevalence is thought to be related to the effects of menopause and the impact of the APOE4 genetic risk factor being greater in women.![]()
“We wanted to find out whether HRT could prevent cognitive decline in at-risk APOE4 carriers.” As part of the research the team analysed data from 1,178 dementia-free women over the age of 50 who were taking part in the European Prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia initiative.![]()
This initiative included participants from 10 countries and tracked women's brains from “healthy” to a diagnosis of dementia in some.![]()
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Doctor Rasha Saleh, also from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We found that HRT use is associated with better memory and larger brain volumes among at-risk APOE4 gene carriers. “The associations were particularly evident when HRT was introduced early – during the transition to menopause, known as perimenopause.
Many of us have been wondering how well the COVID-19 vaccines are doing in the real world and are they wearing off?![]()
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A recent study gives us a good snapshot of what is happening in the United States. It is not the biggest study, but the details give us great insight into the 3 FDA-approved vaccines in the USA, which are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen (also known as the Johnson and Johnson)![]()
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluated the effectiveness of the three COVID-19 vaccines in 3689 immunocompetent adults from 18 US states. ![]()
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The analysis demonstrated that vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19 hospitalization was higher for the Moderna vaccine than for the Pfizer-BioNTech (93% vs 88%; P = .011) and both of those were higher than the Janssen vaccine (71%; P < .001). ![]()
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Importantly, all of the vaccines were highly effective in preventing the need for hospitalization. ![]()
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This additional information is worth considering when we are thinking about having our boosters.