Advice needed / peri menopause- What to say to GP to try HRT

[Llamasally]

I am almost certain I’m starting peri-menopause and early (I’m 39).

For around a year, after my last DC turned about 6 months, I’ve experienced night sweats, fatigue, unexplained weight gain around the middle (after initially losing most of the baby weight), periods so irregular it’s a joke, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, forgetful…

I have been to the GP numerous times and it’s all been put down to things settling down after birth. Which is fair enough and I can see there are some similarities. However, baby is now almost 1.5 years old and this is getting ridiculous and affecting my quality of life and relationship.

I’ve read on MN that the NICE guidelines state you should be offered HRT with certain symptoms - could someone explain this to me and how I need to approach this (again) with the GP to get some action? TIA

Just to add - I have had scans privately to check for anything going on in my reproductive organs given the irregular bleeding and all was fine

Have you tried the balance app to log your symptoms?

Google the balance menopause website. On there is a symptom checker (you have to search for it). Fill it in and take it to GP appointment. That should start a conversation about it. They may want to do bloods given you are under 40 and to rule out other causes of your symptoms. Keep asking and if you get nowhere then try and see another GP.

I would ask to make an appointment with a GP that specialises in menopause, if there isn't one, then make an appointment with a female GP ideally one who's 50+ even if that means waiting longer.

You are quite young and have recently had a baby, so less obviously a candidate for HRT.

Unfortunately there is only one female GP at the practice now who hasn’t been very helpful at all so far, there was a brilliant one before but she emigrated

I’ll take a look for that app

The Newson Clinic offers in-person, telephone and online consultations. It is pretty reasonably priced and will be able to give you what you need, be it a prescription or the tools to deal with your GP.
www.newsonhealth.co.uk

Ask if there's a GP with special interest at another practice you can be referred to or a local menopause clinic.

Private clinics and prescriptions will be expensive.

I could literally have written your post, i'm 38 and having the exact same symptoms plus hot flushes, worsening menstrual migraines, mood swings and this started 1.5 years ago a few months after i had my DC, and have continued to get worse!

i'm getting nowhere with my GP who says FSH bloods are all normal and therefore its not hormone related, i've had all other tests to rule out other conditions including thyroid, other autoimmune diseases etc as well as an ultrasound and they've all come back normal. I requested the mini pill (as i thought i had to try something, the GP didn't want to prescribe initially but then said ok) but sadly it didn't help the symptoms and made me feel so low i had to stop taking it and i cant try the combined pill due to the migraines.

I feel so frustrated and going to request to speak to a nurse who specialises in women's health at my GP practice but i'm honestly quite embarrassed to even ask as my GP has made me feel like i'm being ridiculous😔.

All i'm asking for is a trial of HRT to see if the oestrogen helps relieve the symptoms as i cant take oestrogen in the combined pill due to the increased risk of stroke as i suffer from migraines.

If that doesn't work i think i'm going to have to see someone privately (although its so expensive!) and hope that they can help

Sorry I know this probably doesn't help but wanted to let you know you're not alone!!

If you are under 40 and experiencing severe peri issues, ask for a referral to a menopause specialist.

NICE advises blood tests for women under 40. MAKE SURE THEY ARE DONE AT THE RIGHT TIME OF YOUR CYCLE, NOT JUST ANY OLD DAY.

It ought not to be a battle. It's pretty simple stuff for a GP to sort.

1 Do two FSH tests
2 Do other blood test to rule out anything else.

3 Refer to a gynae/meno specialist if bloods are normal and unsure of what to do next.

Thanks everyone this is really helpful - I have another telephone consultation on Friday and I have my Balance report ready

@JinglingHellsBells when is the right time? I don’t even have a cycle, periods can start and stop multiple times in the space of a week…

I went to my female gp and later to a menopause specialist privately. I listed the exact same symptoms.

My gp brushed me off, and told me it was stress and to try a relaxation app.

@Trivester did the private menopause specialist prescribe you a trial of HRT?

Thanks @JinglingHellsBells will ask GP for a referral to a menopause specialist

Sorry but LOL 😂

That was not meant for this thread! Sorry my phone pasted from a message I jus sent!

what I wanted to say was - how did you find a private specialist? 😳

An aside, but my peri symptoms also started 6 months after birth of my last child (I was 40 then). Night sweats. Extreme mood swings. Uncontrollable rage at times. Very irregular period (that never really became regular again). It was grim and I had no idea it was peri at the time but now, 6 yrs later, it’s clear to me that’s what was going on. I also went to GP and was brushed off after blood tests came back ‘within the normal range’ (that’s all the info I got, from the receptionist).

I’m finally starting HRT now. Hoping it helps!

Thanks @Flockameanie - I was meant to be having a GP phone consultation at 7, not heard a sausage. I’m thinking of going privately, if I can ever get a bloody GP to refer me that is

Hi OP - I've turned 50 and still got brushed off by my GP who suggested herbal supplements or anti-depressants (she kept referring to SSRIs and I didn't have a clue what she was referring to). I'm steeling myself for another call. This time I am going to request vaginal oestrogen for dryness and ask what they would initially prescribe.

@Sitdownifyoulike that sounds like the way to go tbh, I can’t be arsed wasting more time with the GP. Would you mind telling me which clinic you got in touch with?

@Sitdownifyoulike thanks!

What happened, @Llamasally? Are you feeling better now?

Yes! I got the Mirena coil

downside is a lot of ongoing spotting

upside is hormonal symptoms have mostly stopped 🤷‍♀️