First gp appointment - what to ask?

[lechatnoir]

I've heard so many tales of women who pluck up the courage to finally go and see their GP only to be dismissed or handed anti-depressants.

I know I'm peri-menopausal and not interested in antidepressants as low mood is only one of the symptoms I'm suffering with - permanently knackered partly caused by poorer sleep quality, overly emotional about bloody everything, loss of confidence in myself generally and the brain fog is insane (DH was genuinely worried I had dementia until I looked up peri symptoms)

Is it best to have some sort of plan before I go in? Do I need tests to confirm peri (I'm 47) or just go and say I want to start HRT?

No tests are required at your age. Tell them the symptoms and state that you want to try HRT. The NICE guidelines say this is your right to try at your age of you want to.

I felt the same way. The wonderful ladies on MN gave me the same advice and I certainly feel better now that I am about 5 months into my HRT.

You might be lucky and the GP is good, mine was! I was worried but didn't really need to be. As soon as I stated why I was talking to her, she wanted to discuss symptoms and whether I had looked at any of the options of HRT available.

Good luck!

Thanks that's really helpful I do think looking at the options and at least having a vague idea is probably sensible. Is there a good unbiased comparison anywhere of the different HRT treatments?

No tests required but GP might suggest some blood tests to rule out any other causes like thyroid problems.
I recommend trawling through Balance website as well as the MN menopause boards and the Menopause Matters site to get an idea of what kind of HRT you'd like to try.
Trans dermal estrogen is generally recommended so that's patches, gel, or spray - it's just a case of which you prefer.
Then you'll also need progesterone. I have a Mirena coil for the progesterone which suits me (stopped my very heavy periods) but you can also take progesterone orally.
Just be clear what you want and don't let them fob you off with antidepressants!

Oh the GP will probably also want to weigh you, measure your blood pressure, and ask about smoking, drinking, history of breast cancer etc.

I just told them my symptoms and I was offered it. I was asked if I wanted gel or patches, and I asked if I could have the vaginal as well as I’d started to feel itchy down there. No problem, I was given both.
No need for progesterone as I have the Mirena coil.