Do you go to docs to confirm menopause?

[LindaLooky]

I think menopausal things are happening to me. For months I've had...

Hot flushes most evenings
Super heavy long periods
Insomnia
Anxiety

I'm wondering whether I should go to the doctor?? Is it necessary to rule out other things as the cause (eg night sweats are a sign of cancer arent they?). Or should I just muddle on until things get worse?

I'm mostly managing at present. I have off weeks but always did.

Please do. Speak to GP and get it put on your notes. If oestrogen levels have dropped they need replacing. This is important.

I really hate all this well it's something natural we all go through , just push through and you'll be fine in a couple of years. If you have an easy ride then that's fabulous but it's not the same for all of us. I wouldn't have survived without HRT.. I needed a blood transfusion because my periods were so heavy, I was having 40+ flushes per day and insomnia so extreme I couldn't string a sentence together or drive my car.

It also may not last for a few years, my DM is 77 and still gets hot flushes and night sweats as well as having osteoporosis.

HRT has given me my life back and at 52 I'm healthier and fitter than I was in my 30s. So if you feel your symptoms are interfering with your normal life then get help, you wouldn't put up with feeling terrible with any other medical issue so why would you for menopause.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate I think in your case I would ask to try HRT - if the symptoms are relieved then they are probably menopause related, if after a few months you're still suffering then there's a much greater chance that it's something else.

@80sMum I am really sorry to hear about your bone density problems, this is very much what I am afraid of. Hope the HRT can at least stop things getting worse.

I went through the menopause with no problems but it all happened over the last 18 months so fat chance of seeing a GP anyway!

I am considering going to a specialist who has a private practice near me, because I know I have low bone density and I have no idea if I should be taking anything to help with that.

If you are feeling bad then you should certainly see your doctor, it's not some sort of competition or trial to see who can hold out the longest, seek all the help you can to enjoy your life to the full, and don't worry about what anyone else does!

No, only to to the gp if you have symptoms you need controlling.

Wow the full spectrum of responses here. I guess it just depends on each woman's experience.

Not a fan of the snippy responses telling people to put up with it - despite posts about osteoporosis and barely being able to function. Need a bit of empathy I think.

Sorry for my brief reply as I was on my phone before. I was lucky and just had a few hot flushes. I never went through what a lot of posters on this thread did. The other thing I remember doing was buying a few pregnancy tests when my periods started getting further apart.

I am 13 years post menopause, and have been fine so far. If I did have any brain dog it has gone now.

I never had PMT or any issues at all with my periods before the menopause so maybe I didn't suffer from the hormone fluctuations that many other women have, and therefore the menopause felt more gradual for me.

Argghhh. Got it wrong. Phone appointment is this Friday, not last week. Although I now have a lovely lump on my collarbone to add to my growing list of things wrong with me

So for anyone interested, I spoke to the doctor today, I’m still bleeding heavily. She’s prescribed noresthisteone which should help with the bleeding and I’m going in to see her on Monday. She was very lovely and didn’t make me feel like a dick for making an appointment. She also said to call 111 if it gets worse or I feel lightheaded.

This afternoon I had an absolute massive flood, felt awful and am waiting for 111 to call me back. Feeling better now a few hours later but I’ve had enough now!

"memory problems, lack of concentration, wanting to be alone all the time, finding everyone annoying"

ASinisterPlot these are practically the same symptoms I am having and looking to speak to a GP next week as I feel my family are suffering because of the way I am feeling.

@TinaWeymouthsBass

The ignorance on this thread is astounding... modern HRT is body identical and made from yams so not synthetic and taking HRT won't just delay the inevitable, your menopause will continue as it would without HRT but without debilitating symptoms.

This!

And from what my go tells me you don't need to come off it if you don't want to.

I'm almost at the end of my first 3 month supply of hrt and can honestly say it's changed my life. The hormonal rages have disappeared which means I might actually preserve my relationships with family and friends. The brain fog which some may feel is a minor symptom is slowly lifting. I will say earlier this year before I actually realised it was peri menopause, I thought I was suffering early onset dementia. When I was at the nurse and I said that she said that lord of women think that's what's happening.

As a result of going to my gp she ran blood tests to rule out other issues before prescribing hrt. As a result they discovered I had very low iron levels and am also pre diabetic. So it's worth going and having bloods done to rule out other things. I actually can't believe people have said they wouldn't bother their gp. Womens health is important and it's worth getting checked even if you don't want hrt. It could be thyroid issues or low iron levels causing some of the symptoms,

@EnjoyingTheSilence

Will do *@LindaLooky* though appointment is now Friday.

I have to say some of these posts have made me feel bad about seeking help but I feel dreadful and whilst I’m pretty sure that there is nothing sinister and it’s ‘just’ the start of the menopause I want to get it checked out and all the advice states if you have anything going on that is out of the ordinary for you, go see your doctor.

So great for all those that sailed through or who suffered but didn’t want to waste their doctors time, try and think how your words make someone (who is worried and feeling bad enough as it is) feel.

This! I'm not sure why we should suffer just because it's a natural process.

Going to the gp isn't a waste of an appointment.

I went to the doctors when I was 46 as was having super long heavy periods. I then was referred to a gynaecologist who removed some polyps and fitted a coil. Then at about 49 I went back to the doctors and was prescribed Ostrogel. It’s been fantastic for me, no more night sweats, crying or rage.

So I saw the doctor yesterday, she was absolutely lovely. She’s going to refer me for an ultrasound just to rule out anything else. Blood test results show low haemoglobin so further tests to be done, will probably have to take iron tablets.

I’d just like to say to anyone suffering any symptoms, please see your GP, this is what they’re for. Do not suffer in silence or just get on with it because it’s natural. Seek help. No one should have to suffer.