What do I say to the GP - perimenopause symptoms

[ThePencil]

I’m 48 and have had anxiety and depression for about 20 years now - mostly under control with medication. Over the past few years, I’ve gradually been feeling more and more anxious - just low-level mostly, but getting stressed over relatively minor things, very impatient and quite grumpy a lot of the time.

The past few months have been particularly bad, with my mood being quite up and down; the last fortnight I’ve really felt quite low and I’m waking up very jittery, which gradually eases a bit as the day goes on.

i suspect it’s perimenopause (I’m still having fairly regular periods, though they’re getting closer together). I want to speak to my GP about it, but I don’t really know what to say. I don’t want to just say “I think it’s perimenopause” in case it’s not…

I guess I’m just nervous about phoning and want to be clear in my own head what I should say when I speak to them. My brain is fuzzy at the moment and I don’t trust myself to say what I need to!

So, any suggestions as to the key things I should mention?

make a list of everything you’re feeling and what you think it might be and ask if you can see someone that specialises in menopause or women’s health. Have a look at the nice hrt guidance as well before your appointment so you can be armed with the correct treatments recommended for your symptoms. Good luck OP it’s a bit shit isn’t it!

Thanks! I’ve got an appointment in a couple of days’ time, so I’ll do all that!

Are those the only symptoms you’re looking to manage? You hear that so many GPs try to offer anti depressants for women in perimenopause and I’m just wondering if they may try to fob you off with changing your meds or dose rather than prescribing HRT.
it may be worth, as PP said, listing every symptom peri related and leading with that if HRT is what you want.

I had my initial appointment just over 2 weeks ago, it was fine, I hope yours will be too!

Maybe read one of the long lists of possible symptoms, like https://themenopausecharity.org/information-and-support/symptoms/join-the-dots-a-z-symptoms-list/ and write down which ones you think apply to you. And try to think if the symptoms you experience wax and wane throughout your cycle. Also read up onnthe types of hrt, and decide beforehand if you'd be interested , a nd if so, what types. And know your family history, eg any history of female cancers or blood clots etc as that will inform what the best route for you will be.

Finally, read up on the genitourinary symptoms of menopause, as I am now a true disciple of vaginal oestrogen!

They’re the main symptoms which have prompted me to make the appointment, but I do have other symptoms too - I guess the rest fall into the “annoying” category rather than “debilitating”.