AIBU to think this Doctor was completely wrong?

[Fluffybunnies12]

Got a GP appointment today. Symptoms are - painful cramping throughout menstrual cycle and change in bleeding. Went from a 2-3 day very light period to bleeding continuously for two weeks very heavily. GP told me it’s not worth looking into, insinuated I was exaggerating symptoms (‘loads of women bleed heavily during their cycle’) and that they don’t run any tests on people my age as it’s low risk (in my twenties), he didn’t even suggest a blood test or follow up appointment.

He also kept asking me what I thought the problem was (because I would go to a doctor if I had medical knowledge to diagnose myself! )

AIBU to think he was wrong in being so dismissive, and it’s worth looking into/ I should get a second opinion? I rarely seek medical advise so was surprised at his nonchalant attitude.

Go to another Dr - preferably a woman. For whatever reason, he cannot be bothered with you. Don't stop to analyse it, just find one who listens properly.

YANBU. I have similar with very heavy bleeding and my GP referred me to a gynaecologist who took a biopsy and arranged an ultrasound. The GP also prescribed me medication to help with the cramps and reduce blood loss. I think some doctors are quick to dismiss women's issues, definitely seek a different GP.

Demand a second opinion with a woman doctor. I had periods lasting 3 weeks at a time, It took me four appointments and three rounds of tests, blood, std and urine tests, all ordered by a male doctor despite me telling him it was because of my contraceptive implant, that it had happened before and I wanted it out. Once I saw the female doctor it was resolved within a week, by removing the contraceptive implant I had in....

I agree with Luna.
Had very similar symptoms to yourself. Went to a female doctor at my surgery back in March who referred me for an ultrasound and prescribed me medication to help with the pain and heavy flow.
The ultrasound spotted fibroids and 2 cysts which although small meant I was referred on for an mri ( still waiting for the results) and a biopsy (which came back as normal.)
They fitted the mirena coil for me while I was in for the biopsy and I must say 3 months on I have found I'm getting nothing more than odd day spotting.
At my doctors they gps all have listed their areas of interest in the website so I just made sure I found a gp who had an interest in female reproduction and not my usual gp. Definitely go back until you find a doctor who sympathises.

Go to another doctor! I took my teen dd to the GP due to unmanageable painful periods (13 days in length causing fainting episodes due to anaemia) and they didn't even ask twice before looking into it and running tests. You know something isn't right and you want reassurance there is nothing wrong.

Go to another GP, they should examine you and will probably refer to gynaecology - although I will say Drs are always taught to ask 'do you have any ideas what this could be?' because it can help with allaying worries patients have

YANBU
My best friend had a similar situation, she went back to see a woman dr and they did follow up checks.
Make another appointment and say you want to have one with a female GP.
Hope youre okay xx

GP here, go see a female GP, we’re just more familiar with management of women’s health because we see more of it. I’m the same if I see men’s health issue - I get a bit rusty because blokes tend to go to male GP’s for men’s stuff.

See another GP.

I went to mine today because I have had unusual changes in my cycle which I've never had before. My GP had a check of my cervix and took a swab to test for infection. She's also referred me for a scan.

Seriously? Surely a GP should be able to treat patients, and treat them with respect?

I had all male doctors conclude I just had painful periods. I kept going back, just got told to take these pain meds and get on with it. All women have periods.

Saw a female doctor after coming off the pill due to high blood pressure and symptoms worsened, she suspected endometriosis. Referred to gynae consultant. And yes I have it. Lots of meds and surgery but finally a diagnosis and the satisfaction of knowing that not all periods are horrific.

Took over 10 years to get diagnosed.

Definitely go back, see a different GP.

I'm shocked at the number of unsympathetic male doctors you all encounter. I've only ever had male Drs take gynae issues seriously and when onward referrals have been made it's been to male gynaes. I find female ones tend to have more of a "suck it up Love" attitude

GP here.

"He also kept asking me what I thought the problem was (because I would go to a doctor if I had medical knowledge to diagnose myself! hmm )"

GPs are taught to do this during their training. Patients often come in with their own hidden agenda - e.g. they've Googled their symptoms and they're worried about a specific diagnosis. If we know what you're worried about, we can discuss how likely this is and hopefully allay your concerns (and/or work towards getting the correct diagnosis for you).

It's difficult to comment on the GP's management plan without knowing more clinical details. If you've recently started the progesterone-only pill, or had the implant fitted, then to be honest I can't blame them for not investigating - erratic bleeding on those contraceptives is common and tends to settle within about 6 months.

If you're not on any progesterone-only contraception, then it depends on how long it's been going on for - less than a couple of months and I'd probably just watch and wait, too. If longer than that, I would investigate. Tbh the big issue here sounds like communication. His management plan may have been reasonable, but he didn't explain it to you or get you on board. And even if he thinks this is something that can be observed for now, you should have left the consulting room with a clear understanding about if and when to go back.

Agree with asking to see a female doc.

Was he quite young? Because I was at med school a few years ago and we were all taught to ask "what do you think it is?" as part of taking a good history. It's because lots of patients do actually have an idea (or maybe a fear) of what they think they have and go to the doc in part to be reassured that it isn't that. But they're too embarrassed to actually ask directly "do you think I have X?" unless promoted, then go away very unhappy with the consultation if you don't address it. Often if you ask "what do you think you have?" the patient will go a bit red and say "well I was googling my symptoms earlier and [unlikely but terrifying disease X] kept coming up". Then you can say "oh no, it's almost certainly not that, but if you like I can run a test to make sure" and they go away happy. I definitely get where you're coming from finding that question annoying and have heard plenty of patients snap "no, that's why I'm here to see you!"

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.

Oops, cross post with the GP!

Thanks for the replies - glad I don’t sound like I’m being fussy or precious!

I’m definitely going to rebook with a female GP.

Upstart - I’ve actually seen this gp a couple of times in the past for other issues - once was mental health related where he laughed and said well you don’t look very depressed! when I finally talked myself into seeing a GP about it luckily I went back a few weeks later, was referred for CBT and it completely resolved my issues. So I don’t think he has the best ‘bedside manner’ although I’m sure he’s very educated and intelligent.

Leliana & Nordic - thanks for the info about why he kept asking what I thought the problem was, I had no idea that was why but it makes complete sense. It has crossed my mind that it could be something awful or life threatening but I’ve stayed off Doctor Google so far and trying not to stress too much.

I’m not on any contraception - been off the pill for over a year and gave birth a year and a half ago. Periods came back straight away, pretty regular and predictable cycle. I have had a really stressful few months but I’ve had stress in the past and it’s never affected my cycle so I doubt it’s that - bit of a mystery at the moment! It has only been 2/3 months but I thought it seemed sensible to at least monitor and see what the gp thought.