What’s the average waiting time for a menopause clinic?

[KillingMeHardly]

Long story short, I started having menopausal symptoms in 2019 when I was 42 - I went to the GP who ordered bloods and referred me to the local gynae clinic. The doctor there said no need for HRT just yet but ordered more bloods (all bloods showed a high FSH level) and then covid struck. I had a phone appointment with that doctor who said she’d refer me back to the GP for HRT. But I never heard from them and what with covid, I didn’t chase up until last month. The GP I spoke to was very understanding but said that she couldn’t prescribe HRT (and was confused as to why the other doc said she could) and referred me to yet another clinic.

When I didn’t hear back from that clinic I gave them a call, only to be told that the waiting time was currently 18-19 weeks!!! Is this normal? I thought about going private but the waiting lists there seem long too.

My symptoms are fewer periods (the last 2 years I’ve only had 6 a year instead of 12) and I go through periods of having bad hot flushes, although those have dissipated recently.

No idea why your GP won't prescribe it. Makes no sense. They will take over the prescribing anyway long term.

Your very fortunate you got all that testing. When I went for help and I was going through absolute hell, I was told natural part of life and basically to get on with it. 3-4 years of hell later, the symptoms settled down. Im always fascinated by people who seem to get tests offered at the drop of a hat. Im in Scotland which is meant to be soooo much better health care wise, but I got zero help for menopause and zero help for thyroid trouble. Im convinced we have a healthcare postcode lottery in Scotland.If I sound bitter, yes, I am. Having said all this I do hope you feel better soon and do get the help you need. Please just ignore my sour grapes. Im just venting.

@KillingMeHardly

Long story short, I started having menopausal symptoms in 2019 when I was 42 - I went to the GP who ordered bloods and referred me to the local gynae clinic. The doctor there said no need for HRT just yet but ordered more bloods (all bloods showed a high FSH level) and then covid struck. I had a phone appointment with that doctor who said she’d refer me back to the GP for HRT. But I never heard from them and what with covid, I didn’t chase up until last month. The GP I spoke to was very understanding but said that she couldn’t prescribe HRT (and was confused as to why the other doc said she could) and referred me to yet another clinic.

When I didn’t hear back from that clinic I gave them a call, only to be told that the waiting time was currently 18-19 weeks!!! Is this normal? I thought about going private but the waiting lists there seem long too.

My symptoms are fewer periods (the last 2 years I’ve only had 6 a year instead of 12) and I go through periods of having bad hot flushes, although those have dissipated recently.

I’m not sure why you want HRT if you don't really have significant symptoms. I didn’t think it was prescribed as a matter of course?

Soontobe60 it’s because I’m only 44 and I was under the impression that loss of oestrogen before 50 can lead to health problems later in life such as dementia, osteoporosis and heart disease. Apparently HRT helps protect against these.

Gothichouse40 I’m sorry to hear that. Tbh the only tests I had were 3 blood tests, which are easy enough to get as you just turn up to the hospital with a form, and an ultrasound to rule out anything sinister when I had a period that lasted a month.

Actually one symptom that may or may not be connected with early menopause is hair thinning. In fact that's what spurred me to call the doctor in the hope that HRT would help with that.

@Soontobe60 As above.

It is prescribed as a matter of course for young women.

HRT is prescribed to women having a premature menopause ( under 45 but more often now classed as under 47.)

It's for long term heart health and protection from bone loss= osteoporosis. It's medical practice and in the NICE guidance.

It's not about having symptoms.

@Gothichouse40 In England, the NICE guidance is do blood tests on women under 45 to establish premature and early menopause if they have symptoms (loss of periods, flushes etc) and prescribe HRT for long term health protection.

I’m 39 nearly 40, and have been having perimenopausual symptoms for a few years. Family history of early meno, and I know from previous fertility investigations that my egg reserve and quality was very low for my age.

Was planning to see GP last year, but then Covid hit and I didn’t get around to it.

Tried to give blood early this year and was advised to ask GP for an iron blood test as my levels were a bit low. When I spoke to the gP I mentioned wanting to talk about meno and she offered to include fsh testing in the bloods due to my age and symptoms.

1st on came back v. High, 2nd month was still high, but not over the threshold so she said that although I was a good candidate for HRT (and it would definitely be beneficial to start it due to my age), she didn’t feel comfortable prescribing without a specialist. As waiting lists are long at the moment (approx 1 year), she offered to email and see if they could give her guidance without seeing me in person. They did, and I’ve just started on HRT!

It’s been very quick the whole way through - blood tests (done at GP surgery) within 48 hrs of asking, results back within 48 hrs, then speaking to GP within another 48. I’ve no previous experience of this particular GP as she’s new to my surgery, but she was so helpful, and I felt like she really listened to what I was saying.

Sorry, that was very long! Bottom line - can you try another gp at your surgery? Go armed with the latest NICE guidance. I think the daisy network has good info if you’re below the average age.

@JinglingHellsBells you are a font of wisdom on the menopause threads! I think I'm going to call the GP again tomorrow and see if any of the other doctors can prescribe HRT. Given that I've had the tests, I don't really want to wait another 18 weeks. I've had symptoms for 2 years and I really don't want to get dementia in old age!

@KillingMeDeftly That's a good idea. Sadly, what your post shows is that many GPs are not willing to invest in menopause training/ professional development (and this forum is simply full of examples.)
The British Menopause Society runs courses on prescribing HRT several times a year. GPs can access all of these - online now- and there is also an annual menopause conference run by them (my consultant has been a speaker there.)

It shows how GPs on the whole are ignoring menopause and that's 50% of their patients they can't manage .

If they are unwilling to do some very basic training then the money ought to be directed to local NHS menopause clinics, or funding more specialists.

This is very simple medicine - treating menopause and early menopause. It's well within the remit of a GP - but most don't want to invest half a day in being trained. It annoys me like hell!

Sorry for the rant on your thread but women deserve better.

@JinglingHellsBells rant away! It's really shocking how women are ignored by the medical faculties. A friend of mine has been going through premature menopause too, although she's only in her thirties so even younger than me, and the GP just didn't want to hear about it. She's now on HRT but only after spending hundreds of pounds to go private. I'm quite willing to go private but even the private clinics have long waiting lists at the moment - Louise Newsom's site says 3 months.

Okay!

I have had a private gynae for almost 15 years but saw him first for something else and stayed with him for meno treatment. He 'teaches' others drs how to manage menopause.

The ignorance amongst many GPs is appalling.

I spoke with a private menopause specialist this week who was offering me HRT even though my symptoms are likely to be related to low testosterone than low estrogen for just the reasons covered above.

I am really surprised that women in their forties and fifties don't get more attention given we'll just end up causing more trouble later with broken bones/heart attacks (and of course that's after a lot of unnecessary suffering and going round in circles).

Good news - I rang the GP surgery today, spoke to yet another different doctor, and she prescribed me some HRT! I'm picking it up tomorrow. Such a relief!! I've got oestrogen gel and Utrogestan, as well as some vaginal oestrogen.