What Every Woman Should Know About Perimenopause, Menopause, and Hormone Therapy
An interview with Dr. Katherine Lambert, Verde Clinic
For many women, the years leading up to menopause can bring changes that are difficult to explain. Energy, sleep, mood, concentration, menstrual cycles, and day-to-day wellbeing can all shift during this time.
We sat down with Dr Katherine Lambert, a Specialist GP with a special interest in menopause and women’s health at Verde Clinic in Mount Hawthorn, to talk about perimenopause, menopause, and the value of careful, individualised care during this life stage.
A path shaped by purpose
Dr Lambert’s route into medicine wasn’t straightforward. She began medical school, moved into nursing, then returned to medicine, drawn back by a desire for greater autonomy, deeper clinical knowledge, and a genuine enjoyment of helping people.
Her focus on menopause and women’s health has a personal dimension too. Her mother, also a GP, pioneered a menopause clinic, an influence that planted the seed early. After completing her GP training, Dr Lambert continued to develop her knowledge through clinical practice, mentorship, and ongoing professional learning.
“My approach is about considering the whole person, not just an isolated symptom,” she says. “For me, it’s about understanding what matters to each patient and making care decisions together.”
Perimenopause: the phase that often goes unrecognised
One of the most important things Dr Lambert wants women to understand is that menopause does not always arrive without warning. Perimenopause, the hormonal transition that precedes menopause, can begin several years before a woman’s final menstrual period.
Menopause itself is usually diagnosed retrospectively: twelve months without a period after the age of 50. But the symptoms associated with this transition can begin before that point.
“The symptoms are highly individual,” Dr Lambert explains. “Some women experience hot flushes, night sweats, or disrupted sleep. Others notice low energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in their cycle, increased PMS, mood changes, or irritability. There are many recognised menopause symptoms, and no two women will have exactly the same experience.”
Diagnosis can also be complex. Blood tests are not always reliable for confirming perimenopause because hormone levels can fluctuate significantly. A normal result does not always rule out a hormonal transition.
“For women in their thirties and forties, these symptoms may overlap with stress, burnout, or other health factors,” she says. “That’s why it’s important to take the time to understand the broader picture.”
Understanding treatment options
Hormone therapy is one of the most discussed areas of menopause care, and it is also one of the areas where individualised medical advice matters most.
Dr Lambert explains that conversations about hormone therapy need to consider a patient’s symptoms, medical history, risk factors, preferences, and overall health context. Suitability can vary from person to person, and decisions should be made with a clinician who can explain the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives.
“The history of hormone therapy has shaped a lot of the public conversation around menopause,” Dr Lambert says. “But every patient’s circumstances are different, and the decision to use any treatment needs to be made carefully.”
Some studies have explored cardiovascular outcomes in relation to menopausal hormone therapy, but the evidence is mixed and individual suitability should always be discussed with a clinician.
For Dr Lambert, the key is not promoting one treatment pathway. It is helping patients understand their options and make informed decisions based on their own circumstances.
Care that actually fits the person
At Verde Clinic, Dr Lambert’s approach to menopause care is built around careful assessment and shared decision-making.
“There is no single approach that suits every patient,” she says. “Care needs to consider symptoms, medical history, stage of life, risk factors, and what the patient is hoping to understand or address.”
This is why longer consultations are central to how she practises. Extended appointments give her time to take a thorough history, discuss the full range of symptoms, consider other possible causes, and build a collaborative care plan.
“It’s about patient education, setting realistic expectations, and making a plan together,” she says.
Follow-up appointments are also important. Needs can change over time, and review appointments provide an opportunity to discuss symptoms, lifestyle factors, sleep, stress, diet, and treatment suitability as part of the broader care picture.
Supporting informed decisions
Underlying all of this is a philosophy of partnership. Dr Lambert sees her role not as the authority telling a patient what to do, but as a collaborator: someone who provides clear information, clinical context, and support for informed decision-making.
“When women are given accurate information and appropriate support, many report feeling more informed and more able to participate in decisions about their care,” she says.
Her message for women navigating perimenopause or menopause is simple: if changes in your health are affecting your day-to-day life, it is reasonable to seek medical advice and ask questions.
That is the kind of care Verde Clinic aims to provide.
If you are navigating perimenopause or menopause, Dr Lambert offers thorough, personalised consultations with time to discuss what you are experiencing and consider care options suited to your individual circumstances.
Ladies, you don’t have to navigate Women’s Health alone.We’re here with you on this journey.
Whether you're navigating perimenopause, cycle changes, or persistent symptoms, our team offers evidence-based support tailored to your needs.
