MoneySaving in Menopause
Avoid hidden costs, save on prescriptions and travel insurance
Menopause and the run-up to it can be a confusing and stressful time. It doesn’t help that companies capitalise on the M word to try and sell you all sorts of tests, diagnoses, products and treatments. We break down here where you can save and how you can help yourself for free.
This is the first incarnation of this guide. If you've any feedback, please let us know in the MSE forum.
If you're struggling with menopause and want more personal insight, there's also a blog from MSE Jenny H.
What is menopause and why is there a 'cost'?
Menopause is, officially, one day - it's the day when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive calendar months. Any time leading up to that day is perimenopause. Any time after it, you're post-menopausal.
Some women experience early or surgical menopause following cancer treatment or removal of ovaries. You can read more details about it on the NHS website.
Menopause can cost you money, from prescriptions for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) through to treatment (if you choose to go privately). Many also shell out for 'menopause-friendly' products, whether that's sleepwear, fans, medication, massages and more.
The word menopause is used broadly to describe perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. For the purpose of this guide, we have done the same, so where you see 'menopause' you can consider that to cover perimenopause onwards.
Go to your GP before a private costly clinic
If you need help with your symptoms, your GP is the best place to start. Many people pay £300 or more to see a private menopause specialist, but your GP surgery may have a menopause specialist in-house, so ask when you call to book an appointment.
If you are in any way concerned about menopause symptoms, or feel unsure if you are in perimenopause, a first step should always be to see a healthcare practitioner. It is highly likely you can get help via your GP or a health professional rather than spending money on creams or products you see advertised or on shelves in the shops.
Three key things to know are:
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There is no formal diagnosis for menopause, but you'll be able to gauge with the help of your GP if you are in menopause. Taking a list of symptoms can help you be clear on what's happening.
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A GP will often prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT can come in the form of a gel, a spray, patches, tablets and creams.
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There's no reliable test for menopause. You can buy menopause ‘tests’ online, but they cost around £35 and are no substitute for seeing a medical professional. The tests primarily test for a hormone called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) which increases in perimenopause and menopause. However, this can vary hugely throughout the day.
If you opt for a private clinic, beware fees and extra charges
Private clinics will offer menopause appointments, and most charge three figures (usually around £300) for an initial consultation. Whether you want to go down this route is up to you, however you should look for practitioners who are registered GPs. Going private can be a lot quicker than waiting to see your GP, but costs can add up. The key things to know are:
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Your £300(ish) consultation fee won't usually cover follow-up appointments, blood tests and prescriptions - these will cost you extra.
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Pharmacies will then charge for any medication you're prescribed by a private clinic - the HRT prepayment certificate will only cover prescriptions from your GP. (A way around this is to have the prescription from the private clinic sent to your GP for them to prescribe, then use your prepayment certificate. However, your GP can refuse to honour the prescription).
However, you may be able to get blood tests at a clinic that your GP doesn't offer, eg for testosterone. So while we'd never say you shouldn't get private help, it's always best (and more MoneySaving) to see if your GP can help first.
Get an annual prepayment 'season ticket' certificate for unlimited HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is free on the NHS in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but it is not free on the NHS in England.
However there is a prepayment certificate AKA a 'season ticket' in England for an annual fee of £19.80 which then allows you unlimited HRT prescriptions for a year. It does exclude some HRT – there is a full list on the NHS website.
You can buy an HRT prepayment certificate online from the NHS as well as in-store from some pharmacies or via the NHS app. For help with buying one, call 0300 330 2089.
HRT prepayment certificate need-to-knows
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It covers unlimited HRT prescriptions - helpful if you change prescription or need something extra during the month.
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You may also be able to claim back for it if you have a healthcare cash plan - search for 'prescriptions' in the areas where you can claim.
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The HRT certificate won't cover other non-HRT medicines. For example, if you are prescribed HRT but also medication for arthritis, or depression, a standard three or 12-month prepayment certificate might be better for you.
Annual cost without HRT certificate | Annual cost with HRT certificate | |
|---|---|---|
1 item every month | £118.80 | £19.80 |
2 items every month | £237.60 | £19.80 |
3 items every month | £356.40 | £19.80 |
The price of one prescription is £9.90 per prescription. Some HRT is excluded, see the NHS website for details.
Claim for appointments and treatments on private medical insurance (PMI) or cash plans if you have them
PMI is comprehensive medical insurance which pays for treatment you would similarly get via the NHS, but quicker. Cash plans are where you can get some treatments but need to pay for it and claim it back afterwards (you can read more about Private Health Insurance and Healthcare cash plans). If you are planning to use either for menopause treatment, there are a few things to watch out for:
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Ask if the treatment is covered before you book. Contact your policy provider and ask about the specific service you want to claim against. If you are claiming for a one-on-one menopause specialist appointment, you may be required to prove the person you're seeing for the appointment is a registered GP.
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Claim for treatments such as acupuncture or massage. Few cash plans will specifically name menopause as an area to claim against but there are some treatments you can look for, such as claiming back the cost of a visit to a private menopause consultant appointment under 'diagnostics', or claiming for a sports massage if you are experiencing muscle pain.
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Ask about menopause before you commit to PMI. Considering buying PMI to help with menopause? Ask if they specifically cover menopause and what they would do if you wanted to claim for menopause support. PMI seldom covers menopause testing as it's not usually needed, but you may find it'll cover menopause-related gynaecological issues, such as heavy bleeding.
Declare HRT on travel insurance to make sure your policy is valid
It might seem strange to declare 'menopause' on a travel insurance policy, but if you are taking HRT you are likely to need to. This is because it's prescribed.
Most insurance companies ask if you have seen a GP or been prescribed medication in the past two years, and, if that's the case for menopause, you should always be careful to answer correctly. If you've had a GP appointment and/or been prescribed HRT, then the answer to those questions is 'yes'.
It may well invalidate insurance if you don't answer those questions correctly, which could result in huge costs if you claim for something and you haven't declared the prescription.
Once you've said 'yes' (if it's the case for you), you should be taken to a declaration page, where HRT, perimenopause or menopause may be options to choose.
For more on finding the right policy for you and your trip, read our guide to travel insurance and also make sure you get insurance ASAB (as soon as you book).
Don't quit your job - ask your employer for help
Changes at work can be the make-or-break between staying in a role or quitting. Research by the Fawcett Society, a charity which campaigns for gender equality and women’s rights at work, at home and in public life, found that one in ten women who worked during the menopause have left a job due to their symptoms.
The Fawcett Society also found that eight out of 10 women say their employer hasn’t shared information, trained staff, or put in place a menopause absence policy.
There is no law obliging employers to help menopausal women, however, many companies are now creating menopause policies and offering support through their HR teams to menopausal staff.
Before you quit or go part-time (both costly, salary-wise), you can:
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Ask your manager or HR representative if the company has a menopause policy - if it does, see what it states and how you can lean on that for support (search on the company intranet to find out if you don't want to ask directly.)
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Get a workstation assessment
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Ask about flexible working
If you are a manager, you can also help by finding out from HR what you can be doing to support perimenopausal and menopausal employees.
Use free counselling if your workplace offers it
The impact on mental health in menopause and perimenopause can be huge, ranging from anxiety and ‘brain fog’ (severe forgetfulness) to anger and a loss of self-confidence. Some companies offer free counselling services which can support you if you are experiencing any of this. Your manager or HR department can also signpost you to support with mental health.
Leaving your job could impact your pension
If you reduce working hours or quit because of the impact of menopause that will have a knock-on effect on your pension. If you are considering leaving your job because of your menopause symptoms, speak to your GP about help with your symptoms and/or mental health.
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