what to expect from GP - advice please

[MiddleMoffat]

I saw my GP this week about menopause symptoms, mainly the night sweats and lack of sleep and catastrophising. Fed up with it all. Haven't had a period since last summer (I think) She said a year without a period meant I was through it. Does that mean symptoms go?

I just wanted advice really about what to do. She suggested HRT reeled off a few risks /benefits and told me to go on a website and read up. I was a bit at this as this what I expected from her as a GP.....?

I told her I'd been taking the herbal route and she didn't say much about that, suggested maybe I could consume more soy products.

It was all a bit meh really, I don't know if I should have expected more?

HRT will sort your night sweats out and hopefully make you sleep better.
Unfortunately symptoms can last for years and others come along, I am three years from last period and if I miss a dose of my HRT regime the symptoms return.
I have heard about people taking the herbal route, with varying success, I personally just went straight for the HRT!

www.menopausematters.co.uk is a very good informative site.

For most women they might see sweats continue for a couple of years after menopause. Some have it for decades, but it is hard to tell with women who have taken HRT as if they stop taking it, obviously their body reacts to the sudden lack of oestrogen.

You could try sage if you haven't already.

Don't panic if you have another period - you need to go the full 12 months without a period and it sounds like you're maybe not quite there yet.

Many women react to loss of estrogen for a long time whether they use HRT (and stop) or not. HRT doesn't delay menopause. You don't go through it twice. Most women I know who stop HRT give it 3- 6 months ( the recommended time) to see if symptoms come back. No reason not to use HRT forever if it's suitable - balance risks and benefits.

I don't think your gp did anything wrong.

She was correct that the menopause itself is defined as not having a period for a year. There is no reliable test for it when you are perimenopausal - it is a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms, if you are getting the usual symptoms and are the right age, then you are perimenopausal, i.e going through the menopause.

There is also no right or wrong answer about what to do about it - so she is not going to "tell" you what to do about it hence why she gave you some info on the risks and benefits of treatment. Menopause is a natural process that we all go through and it affects people differently - some people breeze through it, whereas other have such horrendous symptoms they are prepared to accept the slightly increased risk of breast cancer etc.

She didn't tell you much about "herbs" because there is no evidence for them and being a doctor, she is an evidence based practitioner. Doctors now tend to work on a non-paternalistic level by informing the patient and facilitating them to make their own decisions about their health.

You could go and see a naturopath or similar - they will probably tell you what to but bear in mind they are private practitioners so have their own agenda.

And no symptoms do not necessarily go after a year of being period free.

Yeah, Agree with PP. GPs advice quite good actually. Some people here report being sent away with no advice and no offer of HRT. Your dr offered HRT and discussed risks/ benefits. Mentioned soy ( but evidence is patchy on that and women with breast cancer history are warned off it as it can be estrogenic) so all in all, you did ok with your dr.

Biggest thing for you is to think if you want to try HRT or not , read up as much as you can about it all- Dr Louise Newson has a great website.Then take it from there.

If you want more than this, find a private menopause specialist and you'll get a full 45 mins of time to talk.

I find the suggestion of your gyn is ok.
There isn't any proof that natural products are safer.
You can get the information you need reading and asking.
The next step if you decide to try hrt is to find the type and dosage that it is correct for you.

Thank you everybody, I'll look at those websites and do some research. The idea of years of this is not pleasant, but if I can have HRT and feel better then that is seriosuly worth considering.

Will HRT help with dry hair and skin and the aches and pains too? Will I hold onto a bit of youthful looks (who am I kidding )

You don't have to go down the HRT route.

Diet can make a huge difference. Cut down on the carbs, alcohol and caffeine and that can really help.

Also, supplements that include black cohosh can be really helpful - Boots Menolieve is a good one.

HRT has helped with my joints, and got my energy back.

I find the sage complex from Victoria health good for night time flushes.