Welcome

We provide an individualised holistic approach to help you navigate through this period of your life. We will listen and guide you through all possible options to help improve your symptoms .

There is no one size fits all solution for perimenopause.

We focus on the individual and empower women to improve their health.

Areas of Expertise

  • Perimenopause & Menopause

    Perimenopause & Menopause

    Perimenopause is the transitional stage before menopause, typically beginning in a woman's 40s. It's marked by hormonal fluctuations, irregular periods, and various symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings.

    Menopause is the natural cessation of menstruation, usually occurring in a woman's late 40s or early 50s. It signifies the end of fertility and is often accompanied by symptoms like night sweats, vaginal dryness, and changes in bone density.

  • Menopause after cancer

    Menopause after cancer

    Women who undergo treatment for cancer can be propelled into an earlier or more severe menopause, caused by chemotherapy and/or some of the medications prescribed to help reduce your risk of recurrence or by a surgically induced menopause if their ovaries are removed.Symptoms commonly include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep difficulties and anxiety. Many women suffer from debilitating vaginal dryness, frequent urine infections and painful sex as a result of the hormonal changes that occur. They are often too embarrassed to bring this up with their specialist.

    We are here to help you and can offer guidance on how to navigate these symptoms.

  • Premature ovarian insufficiency

    Premature ovarian insufficiency

    POI is a condition where the ovaries stop functioning properly before the age of 40. The ovaries stop releasing eggs and stop producing hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone). The diagnosis of POI is made by evaluating the frequency of periods (over at least 4 months), and by measuring the hormone levels in the blood (2 measurements at least 4 weeks apart both showing elevated levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH])

    Many women who have this condition can be missed. There are many adverse outcome to this condition such as osteoporosis and an increased risk of heart disease if not detected.

  • Hormonal migraine

    Hormonal migraine

    Many women notice an increase in the frequency and severity of migraine during the perimenopause. This is as a result of the changing hormonal environment and from unpredictable hormonal fluctuations.Keeping a diary of your symptoms can help us identify important patterns which will guide our ability to help manage and reduce the frequency of migraine and headaches and identify the triggers.

    Both Dr McSweeney and Dr Hurley feel passionately about helping women manage this often debilitating condition.

About Us

Dr Sinéad Hurley and Dr Fionnuala McSweeney established Menopause Care at the Bons Secours in January 2024. Their vision is to share their combined years of expertise and passion in this area and to provide excellent evidence based care. They are friends and colleagues who have worked in clinical practice together for the past 7 years. They began their training in this field together and  it has been a journey full of learning , growth and an ever-deepening passion for wellness, especially around mid-life. Each year has brought new insights and experiences which has allowed them to better understand and support the health outcomes of others. They understand how busy and demanding this period of life is for women and how essential it is to feel your best. They are both Advanced Menopause Specialists accredited by the British Menopause Society.  Dr Hurley and Dr McSweeney can address all aspects of menopause care including those with complex medical needs.

Dr Sinead Hurley (MB, BCh, BAO, MMSci, Dip CH, Dip WH, ) graduated from UCC in 2000 and completed the Cork GP scheme in 2004.  She is an Accredited Menopause Specialist and a member of the British Menopause Society. She has a huge interest in Women’s Health and over the last eight years she developed a particular interest in the area of Menopause Care. She is passionate about this area and her aims are to use her expertise to help women navigate this transition. She  was awarded a Diploma of Women Health and a Certificate in Menopause Care by the ICGP and has recently completed Advanced Menopause Training with the British Menopause Society. She lectures on Menopause health to the UCC College of Medicine . She is committed to the provision of evidence based menopause care, in particular to women with complex presentations and post cancer care.

Dr Sinead Hurley

Dr Fionnuala

Dr Fionnuala McSweeney

Dr McSweeney ( MB BCH, BAO, BMedSCi, MRCPI, MICGP, Dip WH) graduated from University College Cork in 2005  and has many years of both hospital and general practice clinical experience. She  has obtained membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Irish College of General Practitioners. Dr McSweeney has developed a great interest in women’s health since qualification as a GP and  was awarded a diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology by the Irish College of General Practitioners and a Certificate in Menopause and Contraception. Passionate about helping women through the perimenopause, she has gained significant experience over the last few years. She is an accredited British Menopause Society advanced practitioner and a member of the British Menopause Society.  Dr McSweeney also works as a Breast physician and has developed a special interest in  breast cancer survivorship  and post cancer menopause care.She combines her expertise in this area with compassion and excellent communication skills.