Women’s Health & Hormones

Specialist mental health and hormonal support for women and families in London

Our Women’s Health & Hormones Unit provides specialist support for the emotional and psychological effects of hormonal changes at every stage of a woman’s life.

Hormones have a profound effect on how we feel. They influence our mood, energy, sleep, anxiety levels, and sense of self, which can all shift with the natural transitions of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postnatal period, perimenopause and menopause. For many women, these changes are more than just physical. They can be confusing, distressing, and are often dismissed or misunderstood by those around them and sometimes by healthcare professionals too.

We understand that hormonal and mental health are deeply connected, and that neither can be fully addressed without the other. Our approach is compassionate, thorough and personalised. We take into account your medical history, life circumstances and what matters most to you in your care.

Whether you are in the middle of something acute, or trying to make sense of something that has been building for a long time, we’re here to listen and help.

Who this is for

We can help if you are experiencing:

You don’t need a diagnosis or to know exactly what’s wrong to get in touch. Many women come to us knowing something is off, but not yet understanding why.

  • Premenstrual mood changes (PMS or PMDD)

    Low mood, irritability, anxiety or emotional overwhelm in the days before your period in ways that feel hard to control or predict.

  • Mental health difficulties during pregnancy

    Anxiety, low mood or emotional difficulties during pregnancy that aren’t being fully addressed as part of your antenatal care.

  • Postnatal depression or anxiety

    Feeling low, disconnected, overwhelmed or unlike yourself after having a baby, including if this has developed gradually or some time after birth.

  • Postpartum OCD or intrusive thoughts

    Unwanted, distressing thoughts (often about your baby’s safety) that feel shocking or shameful. These are more common than most people realise, and very treatable.

  • Perimenopause or menopause-related mood changes

    Emotional changes, anxiety, low mood or irritability during perimenopause or menopause that feel out of proportion or that aren’t responding to HRT alone.

  • Emotional impact of fertility, IVF or pregnancy loss

    The psychological weight of fertility treatment, miscarriage or a difficult reproductive journey, which is rarely given the attention it deserves.

  • Sleep difficulties, fatigue or changes in energy

    Disrupted sleep, exhaustion or a persistent sense of depletion that may be linked to hormonal fluctuations across different stages of life.

We support individuals with:

“You are not alone, and struggling during this period does not mean you are failing. All too often, we keep going through difficult times, and reaching out for support can feel daunting. If you’re considering it, that itself is a sign of your commitment — to yourself and to those who matter to you.”

Dr Shetal Patel

Dr Shetal Patel

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist, Perinatal Mental Health

  • 6+

    Specialists in women’s health and perinatal psychiatry in our clinic

  • 1 in 4

    Women are affected by a perinatal mental health condition

    Find out more
  • 85,000

    Mothers in England affected by postnatal depression in 2024

    Find out more

Need help finding the
right specialist for you?

We can arrange a brief courtesy call directly with one of our psychiatrists/therapists/specialists so you can judge for yourself if you feel comfortable talking to them.
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