What do I need to ask the GP for?

[Movinghouseatlast]

I have an appointment on Thursday and I want HRT!

I just want to feel like me again and not feel anxious and doom and gloom. I want my energy and enthusiasm back. I want to stop wanting to smash the house up.

I wish I had gone earlier. I had horrible, horrible uncontrollable rage and mood swings in perimenopause.

I haven't had sweats or a dry fanny ( yet???) I am fat and look like a ' comedy' mother in law from the 1970's though.

I'm 55 and haven't had a period for 3 years. Stupid question - do they come back?

Thanks! Am I hoping for too much?

What worked for me was to have a list (on my phone) of all the symptoms I was experiencing. Cross-reference them with the list of menopause symptoms on The Menopause Doctor website, so you make sure you include all of them. And go in there and say 'I'm here because I want to go on HRT. I've done my research, I'm having x, y and z symptoms and I can't live like this. I'm miserable/fat/cross/exhausted/whatever and it's putting a real strain on me, my family, my job and my marriage'. And if s/he tries to fob you off with blood tests and anti-depressants, it's an idea to brandish a copy of the NICE recommendations for the treatment of menopause. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but know your rights and don't know 'no' for an answer if there isn't a medical reason for refusal.

Okay, some of this could be menopause, some of could be depression/anxiety so the GP will probably want to delve into how you are feeling in more detail.

If you link it to menopause then it may well be worth giving HRT a go though could also be useful to look into some (self-directed or counsellor-led) CBT too.

Your periods shouldn’t come back at this stage and in fact if you were to get a bleed (unless it’s triggered by starting HRT, which can happen) it needs to be investigated.

I’d advise you to write out some bullet points on your symptoms and when they started to emerge and then maybe any questions you have too.

You may get started on a patch or gel form of HRT if you’re suitable for it (most women are but not all) and hopefully given some advice on managing your mood and anxiety as above, as well as some info on diet and exercise.

Unfortunately menopause tends to impact both the satiety centre of the brain (so you don’t feel “full” when eating as early as you used to) and promotes fat being laid down around the tummy rather than bum and hips (hence women’s increasing risk of heart disease post-menopausally).

Lots of great info on this board for further reading.

Good luck!

And no, if you haven't had a period for more than a year you are considered to be post-menopausal and they should not come back. If you do experience bleeding you should see your doctor asap.