Talk it through.
Describe what has changed and what you want help with. Your clinician can consider perimenopause alongside other explanations for your symptoms.
Home / Perimenopause care
Perimenopause clinic · Tallow, Ireland
Not quite feeling
like yourself?
Changing sleep, mood or periods can leave you with questions. We make space to listen and help you understand your options.
Munster Menopause Clinic offers specialist perimenopause assessment and treatment, including HRT where appropriate, for women across Ireland attending our clinic in Tallow, Co. Waterford.
No GP referral needed · In-person consultations
Making sense of the changes
A transition.
Your own experience.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate. It can last several years and often begins in a woman’s 40s, although it can start earlier. Periods may change, but some women continue to have a regular cycle.
Symptoms can affect work, relationships and everyday wellbeing. You may notice several changes together, or one that is particularly difficult. A clinician can help you explore whether perimenopause or another cause could explain what you are feeling.
Read more in the HSE menopause overview. Speak with your GP if you notice symptoms before age 45.
Recognising the signs
15 symptoms worth
talking about.
Explore the changes that feel familiar. This is a starting point for a conversation, rather than a diagnosis.
Sleep, mood & thinking
How you feel.
Sleep problems
You may struggle to fall asleep, wake during the night or feel unrefreshed in the morning. Night sweats can contribute, but disrupted sleep can happen without them too.
Anxiety
You may feel more worried, unsettled or on edge than usual. Anxiety deserves attention in its own right; your clinician can consider hormonal changes alongside other possible causes.
Low mood and depression
Feeling flat, tearful or unlike yourself can affect daily life. Tell your clinician about persistent low mood so that you can discuss the right support.
Brain fog
Difficulty concentrating, finding words or remembering things can feel unsettling, especially at work. It can help to note when these changes happen and how they affect you.
Fatigue
Persistent tiredness may occur alongside sleep or other changes. If it does not improve with rest, discuss it with your clinician, who can consider other causes too.
Physical changes
How your body feels.
Hot flushes and night sweats
A sudden feeling of heat, often around the face, neck or chest, may be followed by sweating. At night, sweating can interrupt your sleep.
Joint and muscle pain
Aches, stiffness or soreness may become more noticeable. New or persistent pain should be discussed with your clinician rather than automatically attributed to hormones.
Heart palpitations
A racing, fluttering or pounding heartbeat can happen around perimenopause. Have palpitations assessed to check for other causes.
Headaches and migraines
You may notice changes in the frequency or pattern of headaches or migraines. Describe any new or changing symptoms to your clinician.
Changes to skin and hair
You might notice drier skin or changes in your hair, including thinning. These changes can have several causes and are worth raising at your appointment.
Cycles, intimacy & wellbeing
Other changes.
Irregular periods
Periods may become closer together, further apart, heavier or lighter. Pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause; missed periods are not always caused by hormonal transition.
Vaginal dryness and discomfort
Dryness, itching or discomfort during sex can affect quality of life. Treatments are available, so you do not have to simply put up with it.
Low libido
Reduced interest in sex can be linked to several factors, including discomfort, fatigue or changes in mood. You can discuss sexual wellbeing as part of your care.
Urinary symptoms
Urgency, needing to pass urine more often, leakage or recurring urinary tract infections are worth discussing. Your clinician can assess the cause and suitable treatment.
Weight changes
You may notice changes in your weight or body shape, including around your middle. We can discuss your concerns and overall wellbeing without assuming a single cause.
For further information, see HSE symptom guidance and our guide to 15 perimenopause symptoms women often miss.
Before your appointment
Bring your experience
into the conversation.
Record the symptoms you notice, any changes in your periods and what is affecting your day. Our symptom scorecard can help you prepare.
Specialist care in Tallow
Time to understand.
A plan that fits you.
Your symptoms, medical history and preferences all matter when deciding on care.
Explore your options.
Discuss HRT, other treatments and support for everyday wellbeing, including the benefits and risks relevant to you.
Explore our HRT guide ↗Agree the next step.
Work with your clinician to decide what is appropriate and discuss follow-up for your care.
More about our approach ↗General treatment information: HSE menopause treatment options.
Planning your visit
Care in Tallow.
A welcome from across Ireland.
Where is Munster Menopause Clinic?
We are based within Tallow Family and Women’s Clinic, Barrack Street, Tallow, Co. Waterford, P51 YY7X.
Tallow is about 8 km from Lismore, around 20 minutes from Fermoy and Dungarvan, and under an hour from Cork and Waterford city. These are approximate driving times; allow for your route and traffic. We regularly welcome patients from across Waterford and Munster.
Find the clinic and plan your journey ↗Can I continue seeing my regular GP?
Yes. You are welcome to attend Munster Menopause Clinic while continuing to see your regular GP. Patients of Tallow Family and Women’s Clinic may choose their regular GP for menopause care or book a specialist session with Munster Menopause Clinic.
Do I need a referral?
No GP referral is needed to request an appointment. Consultations take place in person at our Tallow clinic.
General information to help you prepare for a conversation with your clinician. Sources checked in September 2026.