Should I make an appointment? 

For years, women have been expected to not talk about menopause symptoms as it was considered just ‘part of life’. Unfortunately, this leads to people being hesitant about reaching out for help. Today, many individuals experiencing symptoms of menopause will seek consultation with their GP or gynaecologist.  The NHS recommends speaking with a healthcare professional if you are 45 or under and experiencing symptoms of menopause. Those experiencing symptoms of menopause or perimenopause should make an appointment when it feels right for them or symptoms are causing disturbances in daily life.  This can be a challenging and stressful time in life, so even if your doctor doesn’t recommend any immediate action, having their consultation can be reassuring.

Preparing for the appointment  

You might like to make a list of questions for your doctor beforehand. You may forget exactly what you wanted to ask and having this prepared can be very helpful. If you are experiencing symptoms of menopause, you could consider making a list and including more information about them. This will help your doctor understand you particular situation

• Hot flushes and sweats – when did they start and how long do they last?
• Sexual health – are you experiencing vaginal dryness or decreased libido?
• Menstruation –  are you having regular periods, spotting, or excessive bleeding?
• Mental health – do you have memory loss, ‘brain fog’, irritability, feelings of panic?
• General health – any insomnia, weight gain/loss, hair thinning or heart palpitations?

What should I expect from my doctor? 

Everyone’s appointment will likely be different to what they are experiencing. Generally, this is what you should and should NOT expect from your doctor.

What other support is there before making an appointment?

Bringing a friend or family member can be a good idea if you are looking for support during the appointment. The doctor may wish to examine or speak with you privately, but this will be up to you and your doctor.

Being prepared with some knowledge about menopause can be very helpful. For so long there was a massive lack of available materials for patients experiencing menopause. Today, there are lots of options to support your understanding of menopause. You will find many options for menopause learning here and linked on the Kindbody Menopause UK homepage.