Early menopause, Doc won't prescribe HRT

[DancingHippoOnAcid]

I am 44, have not had regular periods for over a year, last period in May. I have had a blood test which confirms I am in menopause.

For the last year I have been suffering from severe hot flushes, extreme tiredness ( so bad that I can't exercise or i am so knocked out i have to go to bed), headaches.

Finally went to GP about these symptoms last week, had a blood test which confirmed my thyriod is fine and no blood count problems, so no indication of leukaemia etc. However, I was told I would be tested to see if I was suffering from acutely low hormone levels due to menopause as this may be causing the symptoms. However, when I went back to GP for results I was told this was not tested for. In fact the GP I saw was not even aware i was in menopause, i had to tell her!

She now wants to investigate me for depression, will not even entertain any notion it could be due to menopause saying simply "you don't want HRT" and closed the subject. Also said HRT would increase chances of breast cancer, but I thought this was not true if you took it before the age of 50. Also made no mention of osteoporosis risk. I have never had a bone density scan so have no idea if i am at risk. She just suggested taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Am I right to think that the effects of the menopause should hev been looked into more thoroughly before putting it all down to depression?

It has been a tough year for several reasons but I am through the worst of that now and I honestly don't feel sad/ down just bloody bone tired all the time!

I have another appointment in about 2 weeks. Should I insist on the menopause aspect being looked into more closely and possibly ask for a bone scan?

That's appalling.You are right and she sounds an idiot. Change your GP or go to a menopause clinic- see the website menopause matters or the Amarant Trust. If you canget to London I can give you the name of my gynae who is brill.

Thanks purple - will be more forceful at my next appointment with GP. Not sure I would be able to get to a menopause clinic if she is not sympathetic as they all seem to require a referral from GP.

Failing that, I could see another GP in the practice but would be very difficult to move to another practice as as far as i knoew there in no other practice catering for my area.

I think some clincis do not require a referral. My gynae is happy to see anyone with/without referral.

if you want any info it is at www.mdooley.co.uk

Unfortunately I don't have the money to pay for a private consultation so I will need a referral from my GP

I am pretty sure that you are entitled to a referral if your GP won't give you what you ask for.

Thanks purple, will definitely be pushing GP for referral as the implications of not being on HRT re osteoporosis seem quite scary. My mum also has arthritis which started in her 50s, so I may have that as another risk factor.

Update - went to GP this morning.

Told her i was keen to try HRT. She trotted out the stuff about increased risk of breast cancer, brought out data which only related to over 55s. Told her latest research shows no extra risk due to HRT in those under 55. She hadn't heard of this even though it came from the website she recommended

Anyway, she reluctantly prescribed prempak-c (along with dire warnings about how was i going to break it to my kids if i got breast cancer )

Got 3 months supply - will keep you posted on how I get on.

well done - but if you can perhaps you ought to move to another more enlightened dr?

I think her attitude is disgusting. Did she really say that about telling your kids if you have cancer? I wouldn't go back to a dr who treated me like that.

I am comparing it with my specialsist gynae- when i asked him a couple of weeks back if i should try to cut back on my HRT dose ( my idea, not his) he said no! Emphasised that the stats show no increase in risks up to 5 years of use- and that's for over 50s!

I am not blase- I know there are risks but they have to be assessed individually.

I'm not sure if I can move to another practice - as far as i know this is the only one taking anyone onto their lists in my area.

Not sure if there is much point seeing another dr in the prectice as they all seem to have the same attitude. I saw a different dr when i initially had the blood test to confirm meno and all he said was "its menopause, not much I can do to help, you have to get on with it".

Have you thought about either:
going to a menopause clinic, such as Amarant Trust or ones listed on Menopause Matters website
Asking for a referral to a private gynae?
Or, referring yourself to a gynae- mine takes self referrals and he can't be the only one.

If you are having an early meno and your drs are so scathing and out of touch , you would be within your rights to find another dr.