Private menopause clinic - is it worth it?

[Libre2]

Hi, I am beyond exhausted at the moment, anxious the entire time and have no libido. I know that I am horrible to live with and whilst DH is understanding and kind, if I were him, I'd be off. I am assuming (hoping?) that I'm not just an arsehole but that it is perimenopause - I am 50.

I did have a call with a GP about a year ago now who prescribed me iron and propranolol but said that I wasn't in menopause. I am considering going to a menopause specialist clinic as a. I still feel like I am wasting GP time on this and b. they won't have time to give me and I would like a proper conversation.

I have looked and they are about £290 for the first consultation. Is it worth it and if so, how do you choose which one?

Following

oh I was going to start this exact question, cheers, I will follow to see what people say, am getting impossible to live with! even I don't like me! also watched a programme about peri and the doctors on there said everyone over 40 is in peri, but you may not be in the actual meno stage, when you have had no periods a year, then after that year you are post meno.

I’d try a different nhs GP first tbh.

Also following. My experience has been very similar to yours, OP, right down to the GP response. As I don't have any symptoms (apparently, these being hot flushes and irregular periods only, apparently).

No help but lots of sympathy!

https://thebms.org.uk/publications/nice-guideline/

I would call your GP back and insist. Raise a fuss. I'm all for going private when the need arises, but I would push back HARD against them, and ask for HRT. Is there a female doctor at your surgery? Can they refer you to your local hospital's sexual health clinic? My surgery doesn't fit IUD's any more (wtf?) so I had to go to the hospital, which was very annoying!

Go back to the GP and ask to see a different GP.

I went when I was only to be told my blood test show no menopause despite me listing off virtually every symptom.

I was in pieces when all I was offered was anti depressants.
I went back a year later as I had become a different person. An anxious insomniac who couldn't think straight.
The new GP was amazing! Told me yes it sounds like perimenopause and hrt is an option.
I explained about the previous appointment & she told me sadly many GPs (even young ones) have an outdated view of menopause & the ages it can begin. She said that the hormone tests are no good at diagnosis perimenopause as the level only changes significantly when you are in menopause.
She listened to my symptoms and prescribed me HRT.

Do not accept what your GP says. Ask for another Dr.
I have been using the gel for 4 months & for the first time in 4 years I feel like me again.

I went to one. They immediately prescribed HRT. I could have paid for a private prescription (another 110) but they wrote a letter to my GP which I took along and got the GP to prescribe exactly the same for free (or with a one off payment to get a yearly HRT subscription).

Those of you saying to try a different GP, it is very difficult to get an appointment in the first place and I have no option to request a specific doctor. The last appointment I had was online and it was literally a 10 minute slot. I think I just need a bit more time to talk it through, and I don't think the NHS can give me that currently.

I'd go private in your shoes.

I didn't have to as my GP practically jumped at the chance to give me HRT after I went to see her asking for vaginal oestrogen (suggested by pelvic physio who diagnosed vaginal atrophy).

But I think you deserve the time and consideration.

The fact that you are considering spending the money means you can probably justify the cost.

It doesn't have to be a meno specialist GP.

I am seeing a private gynae for something else and he is a clinical lead in his NHS area, young, on it and one of his specialties is prescribing HRT.

So you can consider a private gynae appointment as well.

How does one go about making a decision on one though?

You need to ask for an in person appointment which they cannot deny you outside of exterme circumstances such as you are a violent patient. Explain that your appointment will be longer than than normal so a double appointment.
The receptionist cannot say no and if they do ask to speak go the practise manager.

Necessity not luxury for me. I would only see someone who had been privately recommended.

The British menopause society has lists I think. But if you have the symptoms, list them in an GP e-consult, state you'd like to try 3 months of hrt, and reference the NICE guidance.

I’m 57 and had a Mirena at 51 due to excessive bleeding. Although it stopped the flooding it gave me some awful side effects like Urticaria so as soon as I could I had it taken out again ( at 55).Periods had thankfully stopped. I tried NHS HRT but couldn’t get on with it as I am progesterone sensitive. So as a last resort I found a private HRT specialist. I paid upfront (£1250) as it was cheaper that way- for that I get 3 consultations . I pay extra for blood tests and the HRT is tailored to you and sent out ( this is extra ) and costs around £130 for 3 months worth.
At first my body couldn’t tolerate it so they reduced the progesterone element, now I’m up to speed again. I take progesterone, oestrogen, testosterone and DHEA. It used to be separate tubes but now it’s just in one tube.
Fingers crossed I am stable now and have found something I can work with.
My understanding is that NHS HRT is like ‘one size fits all’ strength and it doesn’t suit everyone. Hope this is useful.

I just kept badgering the doctor's surgery till I got an appointment and basically didn't leave till I got HRT. I'd read the NICE guidelines first and was fairly clued up and also probably quite scary and tearful.

Once I was in the system I was fine.

But if you really can't get anywhere with NHS then go private, it's fairly straightforward advice you'll be getting so it should be OK where ever you go.

Find out if your GP surgery has a menopause specialist. The GP was technically correct that you are not in menopause unless you've not had a bleed for over 12 months, but when peri is kicking your arse, it's not helpful is it? My surgery has a nurse specialist, she's great. She told me to see her for any issues and got me a 2WW referral for a meno gynae issue which has now been dealt with.

I went to a private specialist found her on the British menopause society website there was a few in my area some were just private and others did both private and NHS. I choose the one that was the easiest to get an appointment with. Money well spent the care time and support I’m given is amazing.
My GP practice are dreadful I wanted them to prescribe me my prescriptions now they do a Hrt ppc it’s was the hardest thing to get them to do I gave up in the end as it felt like I was asking them for blood. The reluctance of the receptionists was unbelievable.

I have an appt with a private menopause clinic tomorrow! I will report back!

Worth every penny IME, do it.

I had a pre questionnaire about my symptoms; bloods, BP and health history taken and a 45 minute appointment with a woman GP specialising in menopause. I left with a prescription and a follow up appointment to check if the doses were ok for me.

I have an annual check up but can contact them for an appointment any time. Repeat prescriptions are easy to order online and are sent promptly. I pay for these.

I went to Newson Health in person and thoroughly recommend them.

https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/

Ah fab - I shall wait to hear. Good luck

I went to Newson Health too. Well on the road back to me again. And haven't murdered DH, which is a bonus. I get testosterone through them and HRT via NHS (which they do based on the private GP's letters).

Can I just say that I didn’t use the one mentioned above a relative of mine did but switched to mine and got a much better service in her opinion.

It's got so much to do with your GP. Some are so on the ball with menopause and others, useless. I'm lucky that mine is very good. It's frustrating that women feel forced to go private when this should all be on the NHS, paid through our taxes.

No. It is utterly unacceptable to have to seek private healthcare for HRT, which is what I assume you are looking for?

I had an appointment with my GP, chatted about Louise Newson's recommendations (which I had researched) and left with her comments to 'investigate' it more. I had a call back the following week from my GP letting me know that she had spoken with Louise Newson, was booked on her GP training and in the meantime, was willing (under her guidance which mirrored NICE) to prescribe transdermal oestradiol (Estradot) and Utrogestan tablets. This was 8 years ago. I am still on the same prescription now, although I have switched to gel due to availability issues of the patches. I actually prefer the gel. My GP has said that she is happy for me to stay on this dose with a yearly BP reading as long as I am happy and have no issues. I pay under £20 per year for my NHS HRT prescription.

Edited - I am in my early 50s now and had been struggling with symptoms since my early 40s for a few years before seeing my GP. Struggling with symptoms were - hot flashes preceded by palpitations. I could count to 10 after the flutter until the huge, gigantic, rising volcano of heat hit me, starting in my chest up to my head and face. I had no idea that eyebrows could sweat. Massive tummy.

Also, wanting to LTB (lovely DH) for making me a coffee in the morning, asking if I was ok or needed anything, doing the laundry, cooking the family meal when I was at work when he was also WFH with the children, digging our vegetable garden or generally being alive. Wide awake at 3.30 every single morning for years, worrying and thinking about all the crap stuff. Not being able to sleep due to this until 7am and then being so tired I could sleep for a week. Obv only until 3.30 next morning though. Hair falling out so much I had to use mega orange bottle of drain unclogger every couple of weeks in the shower.