WELCOME TO HAMBURG’S FIRST PRACTICE DEDICATED TO MENOPAUSE MEDICINE!
I’m so glad you’re here. My name is Sophie Berking – I’m a family medicine doctor and certified menopause specialist.
The perimenopause and menopause have been neglected for far too long – but that’s now about to change. With dedication and expertise, I offer holistic approach to women navigating this important life stage.
Are you experiencing mood swings, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, or joint and muscle pain? You’re not alone – up to 80% of women going through menopause report similar symptoms. What many don’t know: Early signs of perimenopause, such as worsening PMS or fatigue, can begin as early as the late 30s or early 40s.
These changes are hormonally driven and not only cause bothersome symptoms, but also increase the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The good news? With comprehensive, personalized medical care, we can work together to strengthen your health, ease your symptoms, and pave the way for a vibrant, healthy life from midlife and beyond.
Services
- Health check-up including relevant blood work
- Lifestyle counseling, including management of risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, weight problems, and thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyperthyroidism)
- Nutritional counseling
- Hormone status assessment
- Thyroid and abdominal ultrasound
- Body-identical hormone therapy
- Medication advice for women who cannot or do not wish to take hormones
- Herbal and plant-based remedies
Consultations also available via video call.
For new patients, the initial consultation is divided into two appointments to allow for a thorough discussion of lab results. Follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed.
Contact
Menomedikum
Praxis für Menopause-Medizin Sophie Berking
Curio-Haus
Rothenbaumchaussee 17, 20148 Hamburg
Tel: 040 80007228
Email: praxis@menomedikum.de
Book an appointment
Appointments can be booked via Arztdirekt here
Opening times
Monday, Tuesday
and Thursday 8:30 – 2:30pm
Wednesday 8:30 – 4pm
What are the perimenopause and menopause?
The word menopause is often used to describe the years around the last menstrual period when in reality it describes only one day – the last menstrual period. The perimenopause describes the approximately 3-10 years around the last menstrual period and the post-menopause starts 1 year after the last menstrual period. All 3 are a natural life phases for every woman. They often accompanied by hormonal fluctuations and many physical and emotional changes.
The experience of perimenopause / menopause is very individual. While some notice only mild changes, others face more intense symptoms. These may include irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, forgetfulness, sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, loss of libido, weight gain, urinary tract infections, or vaginal dryness. Other symptoms such as food intolerances, dry eyes, or joint and muscle pain are often not immediately linked to menopause.
These symptoms are primarily caused by hormonal fluctuations—most notably the gradual decline in estrogen levels. Other hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) also play a crucial role in this transition.
Hormonal changes affect more than just the menstrual cycle and fertility—they also impact bone health, blood vessels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and fat distribution. As a result, the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis increases. Fortunately, scientific advancements in recent years have led to effective and holistic treatment options for perimenopause and menopause. With body-identical hormone therapy, balanced nutrition, and targeted lifestyle adjustments, many symptoms can be significantly reduced and the risk of chronic disease lowered—helping you move into the second half of life feeling stronger and healthier.
About Me
My motivation and passion for menopause medicine originate from many years of clinical experience, during which I realized that there is significant room for improvement in the care of women in midlife – both medically and socially.
Born and raised in the UK, I have followed the developments in menopause medicine in the UK and USA with great interest over the years. This inspired me to pursue specialized training in menopause medicine and to dedicate my career entirely to supporting and guiding women through this important life stage.
As a specialist in family medicine / general practice, I place great emphasis on individualized medicine, an approach that is especially important in menopause care to ensure comprehensive and holistic support during this phase of life.
Outside of the practice, when I’m not reading about the latest menopause related research, I enjoy running, yoga, kitesurfing, and spending time outdoors with my two sons and husband, especially by the coast.
Memberships:- Member of the German Menopause Society
- Member of the German Society for General Practice / Family Medicine
- Certified Member – The Menopause Society, USA
CV
2002-2008
Medical studies (MBBS) including integrated Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacology (BSc)
University College London
2008-2011
Postgraduate training in Internal Medicine (various rotations)
• West Middlesex Hospital, London,
• Charing Cross Hospital (Teaching Hospital of Imperial College London), London
2012-2018
Postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology
Department of Medicine III, University Hospital of LMU Munich, Campus Großhadern
2019 – 2021
Postgraduate training in General Practice / Family Medicine
General Practice of Beatrice Roßbach, Altona, Hamburg
2022-2023
Certified Specialist in General Medicine / Family Medicine
General Practice of Beatrice Roßbach, Altona, Hamburg
2024
Certified Specialist in General Medicine
Eppendocs, Practice for Internal and Family Medicine, Eppendorf, Hamburg
Since September 2024
Established in private practice
Additional Qualifications (Abroad)
- Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) – 2024 (The Menopause Society – USA)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Menopause Medicine 2024 (University of South Wales – GB)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine 2011 (University of Liverpool – GB)
Scientific Publications
- Lachenmayr, Sarah Julia, Strobach, D., Berking, S., Horns, H., Berger, K., & Ostermann, H. (2019). Improving quality of antifungal use through antifungal stewardship interventions. Infection, 47(4), 603–610.
- Lachenmayr, Sarah J., Berking, S., Horns, H., Strobach, D., Ostermann, H., & Berger, K. (2018). Antifungal treatment in haematological and oncological patients: Need for quality assessment in routine care. Mycoses, 61(7), 464–471.
- Berking, S., Doedens, D., Horns, H., Fiegl, M., Ostermann, H., & Rieger, C. T. (2017). Antifungal prophylaxis in newly diagnosed AML patients – Adherence to guidelines and feasibility in a real life setting. Mycoses, 60(9), 600–606.
- Rieger, H., Lustig, D., Barlow, S., Ostermann, H., Fiegl, M., Peterson, L., & Rieger, C. T. (2015). Applicability of the EORTC/MSG criteria for IFD in clinical practice. Annals of Hematology, 94(5), 847–855.
- Rieger, C., Barlow, S., & Maschmeyer, G. (2014). What’s new in diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of febrile neutropenic patients with lung infiltrates? Intensive Care Medicine, 40(10), 1549–1552.
Directions
Public Transport
Our practice is located just a few minutes away from the Johnsallee bus stop (bus line 114) and Dammtor train station.
By Car
Unfortunately, no reserved parking spaces are available. Please use public parking in the surrounding area and remember to purchase a parking ticket.
Contact
Menomedikum
Praxis für Menopause-Medizin Sophie Berking
Curio-Haus
Rothenbaumchaussee 17, 20148 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0)40 80007228
Email: praxis@menomedikum.de
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday and
Thursday 8:30am – 2:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 4:30am
and by appointment
Important Information for Appointment Scheduling
I deliberately take a generous amount of time for each consultation – this is a central part of my holistic treatment approach. Careful scheduling ensures that we have sufficient space for discussion, diagnostics, and personalized care. It also helps minimize waiting times, making it easier for you to plan your visit.
Please note: If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, I kindly ask that you inform us at least 48 hours in advance. A quick phone call or an email is sufficient. For cancellations made less than 48 hours before the appointment or for missed appointments without cancellation, we reserve the right to charge a no-show fee for the time and resources reserved, unless the appointment can be reallocated. Thank you for your understanding.
Appointment
Book your appointment with us online via Arzt-Direkt.
Medical Fees
As this is a private practice, billing is carried out according to the German Scale of Medical Fees (GOÄ) – this applies to both self-paying patients and those with private insurance.
Since the GOÄ often only partially reflects the time and scope of a comprehensive consultation, higher multiplier rates (above the standard 2.3 to 3.5 rate) may apply depending on the complexity of care. Please note that private health insurers may occasionally cover only part of these costs.
Initial Consultation
Cost: approx. €420-€450 (plus laboratory fees)
Duration: approx. 120 minutes – divided into two consecutive appointments
Includes:
- Comprehensive and holistic assessment of your symptoms
- Physical examination, blood tests, and discussion of laboratory results
- Targeted lifestyle counseling
- Discussion of various treatment options related to menopause
- Development of an individual treatment plan
Laboratory Costs:
Laboratory analysis is billed separately by the laboratory. Depending on the scope, costs are usually between approx. €50 and €150.
Follow-up Appointments
Cost: ca. €120–€150 depending on scope
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
Short Consultation (for existing patients)
Cost: approx. €40
Duration: up to 10 minutes
Note:
Both initial and follow-up appointments can also be conducted via video consultation if desired.