Contraception and menopause are two central parts of general gynecology. Both are about choice: when to avoid pregnancy, when to try for it and how to protect your quality of life as hormones change over time.
In Lisbon, Dra. Joana Faria offers consultations focused on contraception and menopause in Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish. The aim is to help you understand your options, balance benefits and risks and choose a plan that fits your body and your priorities.
You will also find dedicated pages about contraception and menopause that provide more detail on each topic.
What it is
This section of care brings together two main areas:
- Contraception counseling choosing a safe and effective method to avoid unintended pregnancy and, when relevant, to treat other symptoms such as heavy periods or acne.
- Perimenopause and menopause care supporting women through the years before and after the last period, managing symptoms and protecting long term health.
Typical reasons to book a consultation in this area include:
- Starting contraception for the first time.
- Changing method because of side effects, new health conditions or a change in your relationship or plans.
- Clarifying whether you are already in perimenopause or menopause.
- Hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes or vaginal dryness.
- Questions about hormone therapy, its risks and its benefits.
Main symptoms and when to worry
Many symptoms related to contraception or menopause are uncomfortable but not dangerous. A structured consultation helps distinguish what is expected from what needs further investigation.
You should consider booking an appointment if you notice:
- Irregular bleeding, spotting between periods or bleeding after sex while using contraception.
- New headaches, visual symptoms, chest pain or leg swelling that appear after starting a hormonal method.
- Cycles that become very irregular in your forties or fifties.
- Hot flushes, sleep disturbance, low libido or vaginal dryness that affect your daily life or relationships.
- Bleeding after 12 months with no periods.
These signs are common and most of the time they have benign explanations, but they should be discussed with a doctor. In particular, bleeding after menopause always deserves an evaluation.
If you have sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, signs of stroke or a very swollen and painful leg, you should seek emergency care immediately and inform the team which medicines or hormones you are taking.
Diagnosis: exams and what to expect
Most of the work in contraception and menopause consultations is done through careful listening and discussion. Additional exams are requested only when they change management.
During a typical visit you can expect:
- Clinical history
Conversation about your cycle, pregnancies, previous contraception, medical conditions, family history of thrombosis or cancer, lifestyle and what you hope to achieve from the consultation. - Physical examination
Measurement of blood pressure and weight, and when indicated a gynecologic examination to assess the pelvis and vaginal tissue. - Pelvic ultrasound when relevant
Used especially if you also have heavy bleeding, pelvic pain or known uterine or ovarian disease. - Laboratory tests in selected cases
Blood tests may be requested, for example to check lipids, glucose or other hormones. In many women, menopause is diagnosed mainly based on age and symptoms, without the need for repeated blood tests.
At the end of the consultation, Dra. Joana Faria summarises the key points and discusses which contraceptive methods or menopause treatments are suitable for you, explaining why some options may be less appropriate in your case.
Treatment options and follow up
There is no single best method of contraception or single best way to live through menopause. The right choice depends on your medical history, values and plans for the future.
Possible options that may be discussed include:
- Long acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices or implants, for women who want very effective contraception without a daily pill.
- Combined hormonal methods like pills, patches or rings, which may improve cycle control and specific symptoms in selected women.
- Progestogen only methods for women who cannot or prefer not to use oestrogen.
- Barrier methods and fertility awareness methods, sometimes combined, for women who prefer non hormonal options.
- Treatment of menopausal symptoms which may include lifestyle advice, local vaginal treatments, non hormonal medicines or hormone therapy when appropriate.
Follow up is important to check how you feel with the chosen plan, to monitor possible side effects and to adjust the strategy as your life circumstances change. Many women change contraception several times or reconsider menopause treatment as their needs evolve, and this is normal.
How Dra. Joana Faria approaches contraception and menopause in practice
Dra. Joana Faria believes that decisions about contraception and menopause should be based on shared information, not pressure. Her role is to explain the real benefits and risks of each option in clear language, so that you can choose with confidence.
In daily practice she:
- Starts by asking what matters most to you, such as effectiveness, natural cycles, control of symptoms or avoiding certain side effects.
- Uses up to date scientific evidence to explain which methods are safe in your situation and which should be avoided.
- Speaks openly about common fears related to hormones and about the difference between myths and proven information.
- Adapts plans over time as your health, relationships and life projects change.
- Provides written or digital summaries when a complex plan is agreed, so that you can review it calmly at home.
For many women, this approach transforms contraception and menopause from a source of confusion into an area where they feel supported and in control.
