Advice about GP appointment for HRT needed

[justasmany]

I have an appointment on Friday with a GP and I'd really appreciate some advice on whether they're likely to prescribe HRT, and if there's anything I should know or ask.

Background is that I haven't had a period since early January, but before that I had one that lasted almost two months. During my period only I always had urinary problems (urge and frequency). This has stopped entirely since my periods stopped. I've also had trouble with the hot flushes (which sometimes trigger rosacea), sleeping and memory.

I wonder if this would be enough to have HRT prescribed and what sort might be best? I'm worried I might be fobbed off because it hasn't been long since my periods stopped (and they may not have stopped entirely?) or offered anti depressants.

Are you over 45? In which case it should be straightforward.

Hot flushes always used to be a keyword trigger apparently but those who are getting educated will consider the bigger picture, especially if periods are stopping.

I was just shy of 45 and had been a couple of times querying it. The second time was post Davina and I think the Gp had had LN training and it was a doddle.

You may find periods resume though and it can take a wee while to get the levels and dosages right.

In some women it is looking like covid and sometimes covid jabs can upset the balance a bit (or I need more!) - covid seems to have set me back, but they say that it does settle again in 1-6 months.

A list of key symptoms helps; look at the balance website for symptoms or the menopause charity. Ibs also seemed to have been my issue which I didn't work out till I began hrt.

Thank you for replying. I'll have a look at the list of symptoms.

I haven't had covid, or the vac recently, so can't really blame those. I was relieved when the periods stopped as there's usually a lot of accompanying pain with the urinary issues and OTC painkillers didn't help.

Good luck, it may be that vaginal oestrogen will also help you (don't accept just that though!)

I mentioned covid simply as some are finding they loose the effects of the hrt for a couple of months. No hard scientific evidence yet but Dr Nick Panay has done an interview where he says it's an observed issue.

(Its caused issues for me knowing whether I'm on the right level of hrt if that makes sense.)

As above; being over 45 in itself diagnoses perimenopause, so along with the change in your periods HRT is very likely to be prescribed if that is what you want to try.You will still need contraception as well.If you are under 45 your doctor might want to check your blood and to rule out other causes if your symptoms aren't obvious.

Be aware that urinary tract infections often worsen as you age due to vaginal and surrounding tissue atrophy . I am now on Vagifem and have gone from having one every 3 weeks to (cross fingers) none since I started 9 months ago.