What should I ask GP for? Perimenopause.

[reup]

I'm 50 and have had regular periods until Sep last year when they've gone 8 weekly. (I still get the pain at the 4 weeks mark).

I've had a lot of symptoms for a while and tentatively mentioned it to the GP who totally ignored me. So I want to go back and be more assertive - am thinking of changing surgeries anyway.

My current symptoms are
Depression - hopelessness like permanent PMT
Mood swings - sudden rages
Occasional sweating at night (I wake up wet in the morning)
Waking at 4am and not getting back to sleep
Tiredness (probably due to early waking!)
Some knee pain
Hair thinning

I'm also overweight with well controlled type 2 diabetes (am in metformin).

Would HRT help?

Thanks - I keep googling the symptoms of menopause but get so overwhelmed by all the different websites and don't know where to start as it all seems so miserable!

Yes HRT is v likely to help. All above are likely to be symptoms of plummeting oestrogen levels, HRT replaces that. Really helped me with anxiety and mood swings.

I also take Agnus castus and menopace. No idea if they help at all!

It's well worth a try. Look at menopause matters website and the NICE guidelines on menopause and HRT for a good start. .

I feel more like my old self on HRT. Had to try a couple and also had to switch GPs as first one didn't have a clue.

Oh and it does get better!

Thanks. I'll give it another shot!

As pp said- HRT will help. Read Menopause Matters site especially the HRT section. This is a link from one of the pages under HRT on the website www.menopausematters.co.uk/pdf/Understanding%20Risk%20of%20Breast%20Cancer.pdf

Are you doing anything to reduce weight? Being overweight is a risk for breast cancer so although HRT carries only a tiny risk, you are increasing your risk by being overweight. You may also find that your meno symptoms improve with lifestyle changes, including exercise. Are you managing maybe 30-45 mins of brisk daily walking?

Yes I've lost 4 stone in the last year and walk the dog for 90 minutes most days. The only family history I have of breast cancer is my paternal grandmother but I was told when I got a lump investigated a few years ago that it wouldn't be seen as a risk factor.