A NEW clinic helping women go through the menopause is opening in Taunton.

The Somerset Menopause Clinic is set to open its doors on May 3 at the base on St Johns Road.

The clinic is being started by Teresa Davison, a nurse practitioner who has worked in general practice since 2003, as well as having ten years experience specialising in menopause care.

She said: "It may not have escaped your attention that menopause is in the media. It’s popular, its ‘out there’ with other health related problems and we are finally talking about it.

"Women no longer have to hide how they are feeling and their symptoms can be taken more seriously.

"The menopause is a natural process; all women will go through it, some might not know, others may feel quite debilitated by their symptoms, and it is essential that they should receive good care and advice to guide them through what is sometimes a difficult period of life.

"While many general practitioners are equipped to deal with health issues related to the menopause most appointments are only for 10 minutes."

Miss Davison says her appointments will be 45 minutes long, as well as offering follow-up sessions.

She added: "In my consultations I will follow the 2015 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines and tailor a package for the individual woman to treat her symptoms.

"This will include health and life style advice, dietary advice, exercise, and whether or not Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or alternative therapies are an option.

"According to the NICE guidelines the risks associated with taking HRT are far outweighed by the benefits for most women."

For more information on the service visit somersetmenopauseclinic.com.