my best friend is a female GP, I told her I think I'm peri menopausal, she completely dismissed it because I'm 43! What hope do I have of being taken seriously?

[ihatethecold]

I'm 43 and adopted so I can't ask birth family for any history of early menopause.
Since I came off the mini pill a year ago my periods have completely changed.
23 day cycle, no pain anymore. Used to be 28/30 days and hideously painful

I have brain fog, my sleeping isn't great anymore, I wake up 2 to 3 times a night feeling unusually hot and I am a person that really feels the cold normally.
I'm having to get up 1 to 2 times a night to have a wee. The volume of wee is unbelievable. I don't drink any liquids after 6 to 7pm so try stop the night visits.

Is there any point seeing my GP?
I feel I will be brushed off.
Should I just try some supplements to help with the night time issues, sleep, heat, wearing!

Any advice is really welcome.

Well I'll probably get flamed but I tend to agree with her. I am 52 and most definitely going through menopause. Your symptoms could be something else? Having said that, I'm sure a GP would take you seriously but not a lot they can do. I take vogel menopause supplements which have helped.

I think you should go to your GP.
Your friend should have taken you more seriously.
Regardless of whether it’s menopause or not, somethings changed from your ‘normal’ so you should go get checked

So sorry you're suffering ihate, but all your symptoms sound like classic perimenopause. In my experience GPS have little to no knowledge on the subject or possible treatment options including HRT. I just did all my own research and was politely persistent which my request for treatment. I have been on HRT for nearly three years now after a few attempts at finding the right combination. Menopause Matters is a good source of information. Do some research and definitely make an appointment with your GP.

Good luck.

Of course you should see your GP. The weeing and some other symptoms could equally well be diabetes, you know.
And please remember that your friend is off duty when she's your friend, and shouldn't be expected to give you a professional response. What did you expect from her - that she'd start acting like it was a consultation and asking all the right questions? Order blood tests?
Go to your GP.

Well my twin is peri menopausal and we are 41, so yes it could be. I went for blood tests as i was suffering symptoms similar to yours and im fine apart from very low iron levels.

I had the same, brushed off by female GP. Finally got HRT 7 years later and look and behold, I also have osteoporosis now. Great. Also had 7 years of hellish symptoms. It was only having a Fitbit which monitored my sleep which proved I had the menopause that got me the get in the first place.

Some people are utter cunts aren't they?

Do go to your GP.
I don't think it's very fair to ask or rely on your friend when she's off duty.

(I am always secretly cheesed off when people do this to me, even if I act politely, it just doesn't seem fair)

I would expect my friend to not wave her hand st me and dismiss my thoughts completely.
She's a great friend and does give medical advice when I've asked her about other stuff ( nothing serious and will always say go see family gp if she can't give verbal advice or it's needs a prescription)

It's just the attitude of your too young!
Blood sugar was tested this year already. So not diabetes.
I've been in the menopause matters website but found it a bit overwhelming ( my brain fog isn't great)

A friend of mine is in menopause at 41, so it is possible. I would also recommend you see your GP. Rather off of your friend to be so dismissive.

She's a great friend and does give medical advice when I've asked her about other stuff
Maybe she's getting fed up of being treated as if she's always available to work?

I've been on hrt since 42/43 can't remember you're definitely not too young. But at least you're prepared for your gp to be equally dismissive ...

What will the gp do if they do take me seriously?

I also have my suspicions about being perimenopausal and I'm about the same age. Perhaps your friend was just having a stressy day and didn't want to talk about it. I would go to the GP and be quite firm. Society as a whole including the medical establishment seems to feel that 'women's problems' is an acceptable diagnosis/cure. Of course it isn't.

As a friend, SHE thinks SHE is too young, therefore you are. I find this with a lot of women. Read the NICE guidelines and go informed. Ask your surgery if any of the GPs specialise in womens health or menopause.

I went through menopause at 43.
It isnt that unusual.

Definite peri started at 43.

I was peri-m at 43, some of the symptoms you have listed plus an escalation of migraines and mood swings. I don't think it's particularly unusual so I'm not sure why you're friend would dismiss it on age alone. No harm in having a chat with your GP, they may not think any sort of intervention (yet) is appropriate but they shouldn't brush you off.

Peri here at that age (menopause at 46 or 47).

I'm 39 and I think I'm having the menopause. My periods have gone from once every 28 days to a totally random pattern of between 7 and 10 weeks. I have brain fog and hot flushes. I haven't been to the doctor as I do t see any point, I can't have HRT as breast cancer runs in my family.

Has anyone had menopause this young?

Just to make it clear. I didn't go see my friend to get her to diagnose me.
We were walking on the beach with 2 other female friends.
I said i was struggling to sleep recently and said I wondered about the menopause and mentioned a few other symptoms.
She then asked my age and brushed it off.

I've been in Peri since I was 40
Luckily my female gp is really on the ball and dx me fairly quickly
Your friend is wrong and her info out of date

What do your Gp do badders when you went to see her?

Sent me for blood tests - although these can be unreliable in dx peri.
Mine did show changes which Dr said were consistent with Peri
I had a very dramatic start to my Peri menopause as i was blue lighted to hospital with atrial fibrilation!!
^ this is rare but apparently heart issues can start in Peri
I missed a period last month even on Hrt and and gping back to see Dr next week to discuss

Just to chip in and agree with the others.

It's shocking that your friend is a GP and is so ignorant on this!

The age of menopause is from 45-55. That means the age of a final period. Perimenopause can start up to 10 years before a final period. Average age of menopause is 52 in UK.

1% of women have a premature menopause before age 40.

You could find your symptoms come and go before your periods stop, for another 4-5 years (or less, or more.)

Agree you ought to have some checks about the weeing at night. You need to be checked for diabetes and kidney function.

See your GP. If they are useless, see another one!

I missed a period last month even on Hrt and and gping back to see Dr next week to discuss

HRT doesn't 'give you' a period. You may have a withdrawal bleed, but it won't give you a natural period. Not all women have withdrawal bleeds even on sequential HRT. It's nothing to worry about and you don't need to see your Dr.