More than hrt
Meet Fons and Marja. Fons works as a GP, and together with Marja, who is a Dutch certified menopause nurse specialist, they offer a complete service for women who need help during the perimenopause transition.
" We feel all women should be able to be listened to, believed and have a tailor-made approach when it comes to menopause, with honest and open discussions. We are not afraid to break open the taboos that are still around mental, physical and sexual health in this space. We treat human beings, not just the body."
Marja's Story
" I was trained in The Netherlands as a nurse. I completed a post grad in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Yet all I learned about menopause was the change in hormones in a clinical way. The decrease in hormones would lead to a change in periods, hot flashes and would result in having the last period. And that was it. So it took me quit a while to connect the dots when I started myself. To say it hit me like a ton of bricks is an understatement.
Anxiety, severe depression, gut issues, the feeling of being disconnected.... This all made me realise we as women are not prepared for perimenopause in the same way as being prepared for puberty and giving birth.
In order to understand and support women, I completed a Nursing post grad through the Dutch education system, and graduated in October 2025. I am now a Dutch certified Menopause Nurse specialist.
So I have made it my mission, to create a support network around the women of New Zealand to be equipped with knowledge and tools to support them in a holistic way. Let me be your mum giving you the talk, the tools and the shoulder to cry on if needed (even if you feel you need to cry over the fact you found out there is no more ice cream in the freezer. Totally get that!)"
​
About the post grad
In the Netherlands, there are nurse specialists who work either in a private practice, in a practice with a GP or in a hospital setting. These nurses have completed a 400-hour post grad. The focus is not just about (peri) menopause , but covers other causes of similar symptoms, so they have a differential diagnosis ready. The post grad covers the use of hormones, pelvic floor health, sleep disturbances, psychiatry, endocrinology, cancer treatment, female heart health, sexual health and well-being, grief and loss, supplement use, endocrinology and more. I
What do we offer?
We are in the unique position of having lived through this experience together, bounce of ideas of each other and support women and their families with our own background and knowledge. We know how important it is to take the time and dive into the past and present, so we can sit down and make plan for the future. That is why we structured our practice different from what you are used to. An initial intake to get to the bottom of everything with a knowledgeable person, followed by a short conversation with the doctor if needed and wanted. We know not everyone will need the same. That is why we have tailored our services to meet the needs of our patients
Option 1: Consultation with menopause practitioner Marja
During this consultation Marja will cover the following subjects:
- Expanding knowledge about hormones and their influence.
- What happens during (peri) menopause
- Medical history and personal risk factors on heart, bones and diabetes
- Blood pressure
- Family history that might influence the decision to start hormone therapy
​
If hormone therapy is something that would be considered:
- Indications to start hormone therapy
- (side) Effects of hormone therapy
- Different types of hormone therapy, way to administer it, explaining the pros and cons
- What to expect when starting hormone therapy
- Any other topics that worry you.
After the consultation, Marja will write a letter to your own GP, which you can take with you during your consultation. My recommendation of hormone therapy use will be in that letter as well.
​Option 2: combination consultation. 75 mins with menopause practitioner Marja, 15 mins with GP Fons
- 75-min specialised consultation with Marja: information around perimenopause, HRT, lifestyle.
- Mid life check up according to the NZ health pathways
- 15-min consultation with Fons (GP)
- Blood tests ordered and discussed during GP visit
- Prescription of HRT if indicated
- Letter to own GP
​
Follow up consultation: 45 min consultation with Marja
In the follow up consultation we will discuss the experience of hormones therapy if started, evaluate the dose and type of the therapy. We might cover the following subjects as well:
- How stress has an impact on the effectiveness of hormone therapy and symptoms in general
- Life style changes and coaching around how to implement these
- Sexual health and well-being
- Exercise, nutrition, sleep, and any other worries we haven't covered in the initial consultation
​
" For years I felt unheard, not listened to and dismissed by my doctor. I did my own reseach and told my doctor I wanted to try HRT, only to be told it caused cancer and being sent away with another prescription of anti depressants. Marja explained to me what was happening in my body, which explained all the other random symptoms too.
Best investment in myself by far."
​
Sharon