Flow with Menopause Care

Flow does not involve any medication and so has very few side effects. It can be used in almost everyone, and it can improve mood, focus, sleep, anxiety and zest for life. It is very simple to use and can be used whether or not you are onmedication such as HRT or antidepressants.

A very small electrical current is delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that is less active in depression, helping to restore healthy brain activity patterns. It is used 5 times a week for the first 3 weeks, then the number of sessions can be changed to suit your needs

Most patients see a significant improvement after 10 weeks of regular use. Following this initiation phase, ongoing treatment is usually recommended for at least 6 months to reduce the risk of relapse. In more complex cases, ongoing treatment may be recommended for at least 12 months.

Mood disorders are common in the perimenopause and menopause, with either new onset or an exacerbation of pre-existing conditions such as depression and PMS/PMDD. Using Flow adds a non-drug option that can be used either as well as or instead of other treatments.

Using Flow through Menopause Care means your experience will be overseen by two of our experienced doctors, and sessions can be adjusted to your needs. Flow can be bought from other suppliers, but without clinician support the sessions are fixed at 5 per week for 3 weeks, then twice a week after that.

By using Flow with Menopause Care, we can adjust this schedule to suit your needs, as well as delivering support with the device when you need it with a dedicated email account. The adjustment in sessions can be particularly helpful when there is a hormonal element to mood changes.

The Flow headset can be purchased, or rented, directly from Flow Neuroscience (RRP £399). Alternatively, if purchased as part of our Flow initiation package at Menopause Care, we are able to offer the Flow headset for the discounted price of £300, which can be paid for in instalments.

The headset comes with a charger and 20 sets of disposable pads. Additional pads must be ordered from Flow Neuroscience, as required.

In order to be able to use the Flow headset you will need access to a smartphone or tablet device. The free Flow app must be downloaded to activate and use the headset.

Clinician-led Flow personalisation and support initiation package (10 weeks, £150)

Includes:

• 10-week clinician led personalised Flow plan
• Flow device oversight and customisation of treatment
• Check-ins on progress, reminders if sessions are missed, support to gain confidence using the device and adjustment of the treatment schedule via the app, as needed
• Opportunity to contact clinician directly via a dedicated email address with any questions or concerns regarding treatment

Does not include:

• Initial assessment appointment
• Flow headset or pads (although these can be purchased at the discounted price of £300 as part of the Menopause Care Flow initiation package)
• Customised support beyond 10 weeks

After 10 weeks, a follow-up consultation with Dr Rebecca McCormick or Dr Hannah Short is recommended to a fully assess response to treatment. At this stage, the decision will be made regarding ongoing use and customisation of Flow and/or whether alternative/additional treatments should be considered.

The follow-up consultation can be booked as a single appointment or as part of a Menopause Care plan. Please see: Pricing

Patients new to Menopause Care will require an initial consultation with Dr Rebecca McCormick or Dr Hannah Short to take a full medical history and consider all aspects of their treatment plan (including medication, if relevant). The Flow initiation package can then be started following this assessment.

Patients already known to Menopause Care will require a review consultation with their Menopause Care specialist to ensure we have an up-to-date understanding of your current symptoms and, if relevant, medication. This review consultation does not have to be with Dr McCormick or Dr Short as all our Menopause Care specialists can refer existing patients to our Flow team to commence the Flow initiation package.

For more information about Flow, please go to https://www.flowneuroscience.com or speak to your Menopause Care specialist.