Wish I was listened too

[Lunapower]

Been experiencing symptoms for a while now. Bloating, crying, ringing in the ears change in my sense of smell etc got told by my GP I was too young for menopause at the age of 47. Perimenopause was not even mention. Two years later having period breaks and really bad period pains.

Bumping this for you
47 isn't too young at all
Some GPs are much better than others.

The lack of knowledge that several GPs seem to have is very disappointing. I have been told this at 45, yet I had a fertility consultant tell me following tests 5 years ago that I was heading for an early menopause. I feel like I'm not taken seriously, yet I have a myriad of symptoms which could well add up to peri-menopause. Women should have access to specialists when going through this, for me it is an anxious time and I am having to have a battery of tests to rule other things out. I have only been given oestrogen cream because I asked for it.

I've been going nuts with peri menopause symptoms for the last few weeks. I have hot sweats/brain fog/libido disappeared/mood swings - I CRIED BECAUSE I KNOCKED MY PURSE ON THE FLOOR EARLIER !!!

I've got a doctors appointment tomorrow for a full hormone profile blood test. I expect to be given HRT very quickly before I go COMPLETELY FUCKING INSANE AND KILL SOMEONE WITH THE MOOD SWINGS (that thankfully only last moments, not enough time to buy a Kalashnikov)

I'm paying for the doctor privately and £171 for the hormone profile

They do the blood test and declare you haven't gone through the menopause yet...

No shit Sherlock it's like peri menopause doesn't exist!

Yeah I'm not paying £171 for that. I have normal periods so I know that. I'm paying the money so they can see my oestrogen is low or something (my brain fog forgets which hormones are which that will be low)

I'm getting HRT if I have to stand on the fuckers neck

Can I just say this is the worst day so far hormonally, I'm genuinely in pain all over today and my stomach is the size of a barrel - apparently it's a 'hormone pouch'

@LaurieFairyCake

Just a word of advice...if you are in peri, blood tests are very inaccurate and NICE does not suggest them for this reason. Your hormones can change wildly from day to day so any test is a snapshot on that day.

Not many reputable drs would go by a blood test EXCEPT one taken for your FSH level and it has to be done on special days of your cycle ( days 2-5.)

Based on your symptoms, you ought to be given HRT anyway ( again, NICE guidelines).

Don't waste money on some dr who is suggesting unnecessary tests. (I've had HRT privately for meno from a private dr for 12 years.)

Thank you

They haven't suggested it, I've just booked it at the same time as the appointment (LH, FSG, Prolactin, Oestradiol 17-Beta - are all being tested)

No idea if I need it Hopefully they will just give me some drugs and I can make my brain work again - I couldn't remember the word 'tea' half an hour ago

Apparently today is day 4 of my cycle - my period is finished and my stomach is 3 times the size it was before my period (when usually I have horrible bloating only before)

Because I became anemic the beginning of this year and had not had a period for two months get sent for lots of test but none of them to do with blood test to see if I was in the menopause. Have booked another appointment to see go

Thanks at least I know I'm not alone

@Laurie

Silly question- sorry- but is your GP not able to prescribe HRT when you describe all your peri symptoms?

No was just worried my iron levels were so low I was bleeding somewhere. Was going to check bloods for menopause at a later date when all the test had finished. As I only missed a couple of months if periods.

Not a stupid question

I haven't got time to get a GP appointment- 2/3 week wait, all at times I can't do as I'm working. Paying the £59 for the doctors appt seems much easier as I could book it online for the only afternoon this week I'm available.

Makes sense.

That's a very reasonable fee for a private GP appt- where I am, nearest is £100+.

I was in a complete mess until I found the proper treatment for my early meno. A lot of docs have absolutely no idea about meno and they leave their patients without any help and in despair. I think that it is time to change this arrogant and unscientific attitude.

Well at last, I've got a gynae appointment re. itchy/sore bits after GP said I would probably have to live with them. I am using estriol cream and I think this has helped a bit but symptoms have not completely gone so I want an official diagnosis (or a more accurate one at any rate). I have gone in under the radar because my private health insurance doesn't cover menopause (I suspect I am in perimenopause/on the edge of menopause) but I want to use this appointment to take some advice. I'm wondering if I hadn't had private health insurance whether I would have had an appointment in the first place to quote GP "Personally, I don't think you need an appointment." Well, love let's see how you live with sore itchy bits, I'm sure she wouldn't be putting up with it for very long = expecting more sympathy from an older female GP = Nope. I don't think she takes me seriously at all, hoping to switch to another GP soon but GP access is limited at our local surgery and I currently don't have a car to get to the bigger practice.