Probably a very stupid question - I'm sure I'm peri, what do I do now? GP, Private clinic?

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Just that, really. I'm 50, and I think I must be perimenopausal - I'm all over the place, teary, anxious and worry about everything. I have some other symptoms, too but these are the worst ones, and I feel I really need to address it. I think I need HRT - but my GP previously said they don't do any tests for peri, and that I have to decide myself what treatment etc I want (?). I also don't want to tell her my main worry is being emotional and anxious as she might just give me antidepressants, and I'm definitely not depressed and I have no particular reasons to feel all over the place, its definitely unusual and more like PMTx100.

I know some of my friends went to menopausal clinic to get sorted - is this the best way? I feel like if I start looking into it by myself I could spend forever, I would be happy to investigate potential options but only after someone explains what my options are (I know, I'm lazy). But, if you go to the private clinic - do you then have to pay privately for your meds? Is it expensive? What are the options on the NHS, is it easy to get hormones prescription? Are there many options - like, I know there is some sort of a hormone skin spray, is that something I could get? Could I get tests and advice from the private clinic and then go to my GP?

Any advice would be welcomed!

Why don't you just ask your GP if you can start HRT ?

Yes this. And mood and depression is a huge reason to go on HRT. people talk about menopause symptoms being mainly hot flushes and sweats but much rather have those than debilitating overwhelm, anxiety and loss of confidence.

Sorry - I went off on a tangent! Just to GP and good luck.

https://www.balance-menopause.com/
Have a look on this website

or have a read of this https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/oestrogens.php

your GP should just go by your symptoms say you want to try HRT and have a think if you would prefer, patch, gel or spray as they are usually offered first as are the safest. Also if you still have a womb you will need to
take progesterone too as part of your HRT.
Have a read of the above sites all
info is there. X

Thank you all so much for taking time to reply.

This is pretty much what I was told - GP will go by my symptoms, they don't do any tests at all and I have to decide myself what type of hormone therapy I should get. But at the clinic if you go privately you will be given some options based on your blood tests etc (as I was told) - so is this a better option? Is it worth going to the clinic or is it all a waste of money?

Edited - also, do I need to see a gynaecologist? I haven't seen once since forever.

I suppose it depends on how much impact these symptoms are having on your life. You don’t need to do anything unless you have had a very early menopause - around age 42 - where HRT is usually advised.
I may be wrong but when I was looking into it, I declined for a number of reasons but the main one being that the symptoms are supposed to return when you stop taking the HRT, unless they are now prescribing it for life.
If your symptoms are distressing you should see a doctor.

I'd probably try what the GP recommends and look at private options if you're not satisfied.

A lot of people I know are on HRT and are not planning to get off it, my mum is nearly 75 and still on it? But she did have a hesterectomy at 49. My understanding was it's not a temporary thing. I also know ladies who never done it but they also had no menapause symptoms/ had only light ones.

I agree with the the PP, start with your GP and if you aren't happy look at other options.

At my GP's it is the nurse practitioner who deals with HRT requests and reviews and she is excellent, we had a long conversation before I started on it and she was really helpful. Educate yourself about what you think will be better for you and your lifestyle. I wanted to use Oestrogel as then you can alter the dose yourself if your symptoms aren't controlled.

OP... just go to your GP. It's assumed that all women are perimenopause from aged 45. There's no point having blood tests unless you have one everyday for a month. Perimenopause sees your hormones going up and down all over the place so a blood test on one day is literally a snapshot in time.

Taking HRT is a case of trial and error. It often takes a few attempts to get the balance right. Your GP should work with you to decide what's best. If your GP knows nothing about HRT, says you can't have it because you still have periods or flat out turns you away, that's when you go private.