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.

Yep, after 3 lots of blood tests and 2 phone calls fobbing me off I did loads of research on HRT and found which one I thought would work for me. Went through Boots online doctor, answered a few questions, provided ID and was prescribed it. £22 for 3 months worth. I've been on it for 6 months now, absolutely changed my life.

I have a hysterectomy and they STILL couldn’t join the dots about why someone who had zero history of mental health problems was presenting twice in six months with depression, and at the same time had repeated UTIs. Not one gp in my practice out of 6 has any interest in menopause. Two tried to prescribe antidepressants, the third folic acid, and it was only through reading lots of threads on here and people like Davina McCall and Louise Minchin speaking up that I had the confidence to see a fourth gp and practically demand hrt.

yes it’s a scandal but middle aged women do not matter, we are invisible.

Same position as many pp here. Am 43, experiencing debilitating perimenopause symptoms but no severe hot flushes and periods still regular.

GP insisting on a ‘menopause screening’ blood test (FSH levels) which as I understand it is meaningless as they fluctuate so much. I also know i’m not menopausal do the test is pointless. They also insisted on a smear test which came back clear.

I have asked very directly for HRT but every time there is another hoop they want me to jump through before they will discuss it with me. Have been through it at least 3 times now and have all but given up. I’m trying to manage symptoms as best I can with magnesium supplements and regular exercise. Waiting to reach 45 so that I won’t have to fight them so hard for what I need and then maybe I can get my life/energy back a bit. So short answer OP is no you’re definitely not alone!

Data by The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)

'Data showed that women were around twice as likely to be prescribed antidepressants as men, with 5.5 million women prescribed the drugs in 2021/22 compared with 2.8 million men.'

This figure surely would alter if women were given HRT instead of antidepressants for treatment of the menopause. If men went through the menopause then things would definitely be different.

A close friend called me on the verge of suicide, having been refused HRT by her GP on 3 separate occasions and offered antidepressants and anger management classes!

I marched her down there with the NICE guidelines and a menopause symptom checklist, which had most boxes ticked. HRT prescription given straight away.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/resources/menopause-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-1837330217413

Boots will only provide HRT for women 45 plus . Not ideal for me as my peri started when I was 38 so had to persevere with the GP . Took a lot longer than it should before they would prescribe HRT .

My GP has been fabulous and I had no problem accessing HRT but I’ve heard lots of women are being fobbed off. Just in case you didn’t know, in England at least, you are entitled to an HRT prepayment certificate so you don’t have to pay for each prescription. It’s £19.30 and that covers you for the whole year.

Back from my appointment. I was told it was very unlikely I'm in peri menopause because I'm only 39. Listed my symptoms and I'm now booked in for blood tests and will have more blood tests 3 weeks later. I'm glad I'm booked in for bloods but I do find this attitude of not being old enough really dismissive, it seems clear to me that women are going through menopause/peri at my age and even slightly younger. I'll wait for bloods to come back and see where to go from there. In the meant time I've just got some antihistamines to try and help with my insomnia.

Bloods will show nothing to do with perimenopause although they may of course show other things. 8 really recommend the book "menopause manifesto" by Dr Jen Gunter (an Obs and Gyn). She does a newsletter too and blood tests are the topic today! Sorry I can't link, rubbish at that.

Thank you, I'll look it up before I go back for my results. I'm so sick of women being fobbed off about their health care, it's infuriating. If they try telling me that its not perimenopause I'll insist on either a second opinion or that they do further investigations to see what IS wrong with me then because it's obvious to me it's what it is, I've gained half a stone, my hair is breaking off and thinning, I've got insomnia so bad it's like torture, my periods (that are usually regular) are coming more frequently (this surprised me) but the then the last one was two weeks late so all over the place, I have such excess facial hair growth that I have to shave daily, really really bad mood swings and have had about 3 or 4 hot flushes (very infrequently) so what else could it be? it's awful, we're all being gaslit by the medical professionals, why would they want to try and convince us that we're not going through something that we definitely are?

@MsLavender get the Balance app and read / listen to all of Louise Newson's guidance on peri before your next appointment.