Tracking Menopausal Symptoms - what to use?

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Always had very regular 28-day cycle. In the last few weeks I've been having my first hot flushes a LOT, just had a 3-week cycle (Grrr) and I feel ghastly - nauseous, tired.

So, thinking of tracking my symptoms so I have a comprehensive record of what's happening and taking that to my doctor in a few months - depending on how things are going.

Has anyone else kept a log of symptoms like this and what did they use? I have looked at apps and not immediately found anything that looks that useful, I could use a paper diary or a spreadsheet.

If anyone's got any pointers to pre-designed charts/diaries/trackers I'd appreciate knowing about them please!

I use a period tracking app. You record length of cycle and period (when it arrives lol) but you can also add notes so you could record additional symptoms there.

I use P Tracker Lite which is a period app, but you can add in custom symptoms. You can pay for extra feature, but the free version works for me.

Mine is called Calendar, icon is daisy on a green background downloaded free from Google play

Thanks - a selection to look at. Appreciated.

I use an app from iTunes called mySysters and I'm finding it easy and straightforward. It has an option to generate a report and its simple to add your own symptoms as well as track your period of required.

Ooo exciting @CMCarr I shall keep an eye out. I'm enjoying reading the various articles that are already available and the fact I can either update my symptoms in a few seconds or add more details is great. The fact I remember to use it is no small validation too

OP All you really need to do is keep a record of your cycles and a quick note of other symptoms. I don't see the need for a diary or app. If you want to see your GP about HRT then all you need say is your cycles have gone wonky for X months and you have typical meno symptoms which are likely to be flushes, insomnia, maybe 'brain fog'. I think tbh it's over-complicating it to use apps etc.
I also think that psychologically, focusing on symptoms is counterproductive. Either treat them, with HRT or alternative stuff, - whatever you prefer- and get on with life.
Sorry to rain on your parade@CMCarr- watch out that your posts aren't deleted cos it's an advert!

What the hell is the point of tracking symptoms?

I used to make a note of my periods in a normal calendar.

Then they stopped. That's menopause.

Hate the advertising on here.

I also think that psychologically, focusing on symptoms is counterproductive. Either treat them, with HRT or alternative stuff, - whatever you prefer- and get on with life

Couldn't agree more.

I have a friend who is always complaining that she must be in perimrnopause because she's moody, tired, forgetful and has insomnia. She drinks almost a bottle of wine a day but god forbid that's the problem!! (she's in her 30s)

@Twistella I track my symptoms using an app on my phone because it's private and not accessible to anyone else. I have a DS who is under ten and who tends to help himself to notepads so I lost a few records that way (yes, in an ideal world, he wouldn't do that) and he reads anything - again my perimenopause is not something he need to know about.

Tracking helps me see trends and understand my body. If I can go to my GP and say that since my last discussion, these symptoms have developed, this and this is happening and my cycle is now more erratic, then there is a hope my GP might listen this time.

With some GP practices, getting treatment isn't quite as easy as you would hope sadly.

I don't see how it helps to note on an app that I had a hot flush an hour ago. Surely you know if you are having hot flushes , you can't really miss them.

Periods stopping and hot flashes are the only sure sign of menopause aren't they? Everything else - tiredness, brain fog etc.cant really be treated anyway

I have a DS who is under ten and who tends to help himself to notepads so I lost a few records that way (yes, in an ideal world, he wouldn't do that) and he reads anything -

You can always use code :)
You don't have to write the word 'period'- you could write 'pink unicorn' or 'green bananas'- anything!

Tracking helps me see trends and understand my body.

Just clock them in your head. If you have hourly flushes or night sweats, you'd certainly recall them. Ditto insomnia and erratic periods. The GPs doesn't need huge detail. You only need tell them the basic facts.

I do understand what you are saying, but my GP (who I saw about 18 months ago) told me that I couldn't be in perimenopause at age 39.

My periods were always every 28-29 days like clockwork - came back one month after giving birth, back to the same routine. Slight hiccup when DS was about 18 months due to anaemia, treated with iron daily and transexamic acid tablets and it was back to normal. Very regular and predictable.

About 24 months ago, they changed and became unpredictable - for me. Cycle moved from anything between 24-34 days, flow was very variable, mood swings, anxiety, the whole works.

GP just wasn't interested. So, I started charting after the appointment using an app; it's not in such detail as 10am hot flush, but it does let me detail my flow, my mood and any other symptoms on a daily basis.

Armed with 18 months worth of info which shows increasing episodes of hot flushes, memory fog and mood swings, plus information from other family members about our family medical history, I'm going back to discuss this with the GP and I'm
not going to be put off.

My life is miserable, I'm struggling and I need help.

It sounds as if your GP is useless. Is there another one you could see? or change practice?

What you need to emphasise is irregular cycles, family history ( early meno I assume?) and your other symptoms. If he/ she won't take this seriously tell them you want a referral to a meno gynaecologist who will! Don't be ignored because early menopause needs treatment with HRT if you are under 45 ish.

For those few who think that menopause is a few hot flushes and erratic bleeding

www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/

I don't think most women do think it's just those two symptoms but if anyone is going to their GP they need to be succinct if they are there asking for HRT. (There isn't much point going for any other reason to be honest because anti depressants are not advised by NICE except for women who cannot use HRT.) Erratic periods, flushes and night sweats are the main issues that are controlled by using HRT whereas alot of the 'mood' issues can be helped by exercise, diet and other things like talking therapies, mindfulness, meditation, etc.

For those few who think that menopause is a few hot flushes and erratic bleeding

I am 52 and definitely in menopause. My periods have stopped (since Dec 2017) and I'm having hot flushes. Please don't lecture me on the menopause. If you are 39 and still having periods you ARE NOT GOING THROUGH THE MENOPAUSE

Honestly its like people being convinced they have cancer talking to people who actually have cancer

For me as someone living with complex disabilities apps make my life easier. I can't hold the information in my head so taking 10 seconds to note what's happening with an app makes it easier for me and my various medical people spot any trends and also it's helped track whether various medications etc have had an impact. I can't reliably remember how many hot flushes I've had for example. I know what a pp said about the possibility of paying attention to symptoms in this way can be negative for some and I agree. For me though the menopause is something I'm facing earlier than I'd expected following a hysterectomy and I'm trying to embrace this next stage positively. Monitoring what is changing, getting used to these changes and being able to see if anything I'm doing is helping or needs changing makes me feel more in control.

I completely understand if you have difficulty with memory then apps might help. However I can't reliably remember how many hot flushes I've had for example

Why do you need to know how many you've had?

I've had approx 5 a day since I started getting them a few months ago. Why do you need to count them? You start having them and go to gp or take supplements or just ride them out. The amount is irrelevant.

Oh good grief. Where did I say I was in menopause? I said perimenopause. I'd be bloody delighted if my periods had stopped because then the GP might help with the fact that I have to change my PJ's in the night (and have had to buy a waterproof sheet for the sweat), or the fact that I can go from laughing with my DS to crying hysterically, or the fact that I don't sleep well anymore.

However, because I am 40 years old, despite the fact I have every symptom listed on the NHS website for menopause (except I get thrush not UTI's) and my periods are becoming erratic for me. But, I still have them so it's likely to be perimenopause and the GP wasn't willing to help.

I know my DM went through 4 years of this, and then menopause hit. At age 42/3. So, I'm on track with family history.

And no, it's nothing like cancer. She died of that at 52. I've been comprehensively tested for breast cancer with all that entails. This is my life. It is different from everyone else's. Just because my body and my experience is different from yours doesn't mean that I don't need help with all these symptoms. Call it "Not Menopause definitely, but still bloody irritating syndrome" if you like, whatever. My hormones are still wrong - FOR ME so I will go to the GP with my app of evidence and ask for help.

You need a different GP @BlastandBollocks
Any GP who won't take a family history of early menopause seriously along with your symptoms is pretty useless. Can't you change to another dr? You should only need to track for 6 months, and with your family history that ought to be enough.

FWIW I don't think the post you're referring to was for you! I suspect it was for the OP who has regular but heavy periods.

Also, the terms perimenopause and menopause are used interchangeably all the time which confuses things. Lots of women don't know what 'peri' is so menopause is used all the time.

Seriously, if your GP won't accept what you are saying you need to change.

Changing GP isn't an option really; it's the same practice which has the surgery in the next village; the one after that is about 20 minutes further on, so travel is an issue.

It's a different GP I'm seeing next week, so fingers crossed they'll listen.

I was asked to monitor the number of hot flushes (and other issues) by my doctor so we can see if there is any patterns to when they happen which might help me work out if there's any lifestyle changes I could make to help myself. It also helps me differentiate between newer symptoms related to the menopause and other similar issues I have been living with my entire life.
But I feel like I'm justifying myself and I'm not sure why. The OP asked for suggestions to help track menopause symptoms, I shared the one I've found helpful. If some of us find tracking symptoms useful and others think there's no need does it really matter at the end of the day? It's a personal choice surely?
The issue of GPs who are dismissive of menopause/perimenopause symptoms is a wider issue however. I'm aware I'm very lucky with my GP but I'm not sure what we can do to constructively challenge that attitude.