Surprised by GP's advice re perimenopause?

[periperisaucemama]

I spoke to a GP (Dr A) a few weeks ago about my possible peri symptoms (I'm 44). For context, my symptoms have been a complete loss of any libido, poor sleep, anxiety, bouts of low depression, utter lack of motivation, brain fog, low energy and lethargy, night sweats, joint aches. She advised me to take blood tests to rule out any other issues like thyroid, then asked me to see her again to take next steps and in her words "see what we can do to help you feel better".

I took blood tests, and then booked another GP appt with Dr A for today to go through the results and discuss what to do next. This morning, due to a mix up with the practice, I was given a different GP (Dr B) instead. She went through my results which were nothing of concern and then asked me to list my symptoms again (which I had previously discussed with Dr A). Her responses were a vague "yes things do get harder as you get older" and "having children does make you feel tired", and in reference to night sweats "it has been hot recently".

At one point it felt like she was trying to end the appointment there so I asked, "ok so what do you advise Dr?", and she just said "keep trying to stay fit and hope you feel better".

What would I need to say before any practical support or advice was offered? AIBU? Has anyone else had this experience?

Looking ahead, I've booked a private specialist appointment and am fortunate I can afford to do so.

I am also 44, also have all the same symptoms. Told by the nurse doing a health check recently that I’m too young for perimenopause. Hadn’t actually clocked that all those symptoms could actually be related.

Just to add, I still get regular periods.

Most GPs know fuck all about the menopause, that's the trouble.

You are not in any way too young for peri-menopause or menopause. You should file a complaint about that nurse.

It definitely sounds hormonal and needs hormones to sort it. Diet and exercise help but hormonal imbalances need hormones to fix them.

Years ago I used to work in an NHS family planning/sexual health clinic. They also have Menopause clinics too- both onsite at the main hospital, but also visiting GP's/clinics within the area on certain days. It was generally the gynae consultant who you saw. They seemed to have more up to date info about newer HRT and better knowledge of them.

You might need to ring a few to see IF they have a menopause clinic.

Find Family planning services - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

I was fobbed off similarly by my practice’s menopause specialist. She told me I was too young (40) and as I was still having regular periods I couldn’t be perimenopausal 🙄

That’s not the role of a GP at all.

Check out the GPs response above?

the nine practices I work with everyday must not be doing their roles properly either 😂

My GP surgery is rubbish when it comes to woman’s health. I’ve had heavy periods for years and only this year was referred for tests and a gynaecologist. I have also been fobbed off regarding menopause and told to go on antidepressants.

Unless you are referring to the gp referring to specialist services, I would have thought that was a given

I have had exactly the same as you and I am still stuck in limbo feeling absolutely numb to daily life. It sucks.

The has anybody else had this experience bit made me laugh

Don't put up with this! 😡Totally unacceptable.
Ask for a second opinion even if it means going to another clinic.

I agree. Some GPs just fob you off with 'you need to lose weight'. Well you probably already know that, but if your hormones are out of whack, you've got no chance of losing the weight.🙄

Interesting. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow regarding peri menopause, I'm 39. I have had symptoms for about two years but they weren't severe like they are now so when they initially fobbed me off with "too young to be peri" I just took it. I won't be fobbed off tomorrow, I'm unable to sleep until about 6am every single day, I can't live like this. I have other symptoms too but primarily it's the sleep issues I want sorted and I want to discuss HRT. I'm very sensitive to hormones, I get suicidal on the pill for example, so I'm hoping they'll be understanding of that and give me a blood test to check my hormone levels so I can have a dose that is right for me. I'll report back tomorrow!

@JudyGemstone menopause is classed as when your periods have stopped for a year. So you can still have periods during peri menopause. I’m 44 and started HRT a year ago.

UPDATE (from OP): especially for those pp who said they felt the same as me...

Had a consultation with a private clinic today. It is just over £200 so not available to everyone sadly. They are experts in this field.

• Age 44 definitely likely to be peri given the list of symptoms (so not "too young").
• My periods are regular but this is irrelevant to a peri diagnosis.
• Blood tests for hormones are also meaningless for diagnosing peri as they will fluctuate over the course of a day, week etc. they are only useful for confirming menopause, which you will already know about as periods have stopped for a year.

I'm going to try some hormone top up therapy in the form of oestrogen gel , then add progesterone tablets, and if my sex drive is no better after a couple of months try testosterone too. These are body identical hormones which is very important. It's step by step to see how my body responds.

Thanks for updating, it sounds like a good outcome for you. Hope the treatment is helpful.

I had to book a smear test earlier so when I was on the phone to the surgery I asked if they had a menopause practitioner, they said they have a GP who’s a gynae specialist so I’m going to book with her :)

Good luck @JudyGemstone . Be prepared for them to say it's not peri if you're periods are still regular and so on.

I too ended up paying to see the Newson Clinic - worth every penny - after my regular GP fobbed me off, despite me being 55 (at the time) with no sign of periods stopping and having horrendous other symptoms. Newson Clinic have been fab and I am grateful that I can afford the fees. The regime they have suggested is starting to help but I am still adjusting to it.

I am currently being told that I’m not perimenopausal because I don’t have irregular periods or hot flushes. The other symptoms don’t count, they must have a different cause.

"No. I'd like HRT please".
End of. If they quibble ask fo the medical reasoning why your request is being refused, abd ask for that to be noted on your file. Then see another GP/complain to Practice Manager.

@Sugarcoatt could you afford to pay for a private consultation?

Not that we should bloody have to of course!!!