TABLE OF CONTENTS


Introduction

This article explains how the Ardens Women's Health resources can support you in delivering structured, consistent Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) care in primary care.


Background

Menopause is a natural life stage, usually between 45–55, when periods stop due to hormonal changes. Many women experience symptoms during the perimenopause, which can affect daily life and work, including hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, low mood, anxiety, brain fog, joint aches and vaginal dryness. Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)supports offering HRT to suitable women following an individual discussion of benefits and risks.


How Ardens Can Help 

Ardens provides structured menopause and HRT resources embedded within the clinical system to support consistent, high-quality care across the full patient pathway. The resources include:
  • Clinical templates: Structured templates to support assessment, diagnosis and ongoing review.
  • Prescribing formularies: Guidance to support safe, evidence-based and accurate prescribing.
  • Reports: Dashboard to monitor activity. 


How to Access our Resources

Templates & Formularies: 

  • Click Auto-Consultation.
  • Select ardens Conditions WOMENS HEALTH > Menopause.
  • Alternatively, search for the template via the SystmOne search bar, bottom left-hand corner or add to your F12 key (access this support article for instructions on using the F12). 



Consultation

The consultation focuses on structured clinical assessment, accurate coding and shared decision-making. The Menopause & HRT template guides clinicians through each required component to ensure best practice, comprehensive documentation and alignment with national guidance.


Initial Consultation 

A clinical diagnosis of menopause or perimenopause is primarily clinical and based on the patient’s reported symptoms.


At the first presentation, clinicians are guided to use the Symptoms page to document the nature of the patient's symptoms. This is complemented by the Initial Consultation page, where relevant clinical findings and overall clinical impression are recorded.



Diagnosis

Clear diagnostic coding supports population health management, recall, audit and reporting. The menopause template enables accurate recording of menopause and perimenopause, plus considerations of repeat tests.



HRT Assessment & Counselling

The HRT Assessment and Counselling section provides a structured framework to support safe and consistent decision-making. It incorporates preset options, clinical prompts, scoring tools and a traffic light risk stratification system to guide clinical impression, management planning and personalised counselling.
  • Impression: Based on the traffic light system, which categorises patient risk: green indicates low risk, amber indicates moderate risk, and red indicates high risk.
  • Management: Depending on the patient's risk or severity, appropriate management options are displayed. The clinician can then record advice, treatment, and follow-up actions.



Review 

Following an assessment or diagnosis, and once a condition or need has been identified, a structured management plan can be implemented. This plan may include discussion around treatment or follow-up arrangements.
 


Formulary 

Clinicians can use the formulary to access prescribing guidance in line with the latest NICE recommendations. This supports safe, consistent, and effective prescribing across Menopause & HRT. 
 
The Formulary section supports clinical decision-making by providing advice and guidance on which types of medications may be appropriate based on findings from patient consultations. It also ensures national prescribing policies are followed.



To issue medication:

  • Click on the blue hyperlink for the required medication.
  • Within the medication template, select the exact medication required.
  • Follow the prompts to safely prescribe. 


Referral

If a decision is made to refer the patient or if a clinician is uncertain about whether the patient meets the criteria for referral, the Referrals page can be used to assess and record criteria for referral according to the latest NICE guidance. This supports timely and appropriate escalation of care for patients.


 

Resources 

The templates include a Resource page, which allows clinicians to access useful links to patient and professional guidance.



Evaluate

These resources help GP Practices, PCNs and ICBs to review patient outcomes and monitor practice activity on a visual dashboard. 

Monitor

For Ardens Manager subscribers, the Women's Health dashboard provides a clear visual overview of menopause and perimenopause activity. 
  • Login to Ardens Manager.
  • Go to Services on the left-hand pane.
  • Click on Conditions.
  • Click on Women's Health.


For further information on how to use Ardens Manager, access our support articles. 


Additional Support 

To further your understanding of the Women's Health resources and how to make the most of Ardens product:
 
 If you require any further assistance on the process above, please contact Ardens support on: 
support@ardens.org.uk