Going to the docs - how to be taken seriously.

[Stickersandlollipops]

I hate going to the doctors and always feel like they will think I’m a hypochondriac (yes, I can get a bit anxious). 😬

I’ve had a few appointments over the last few months due to periods suddenly becoming heavier and more painful. I often have cramping and a heavy feeling. My bowels have been a bit all over the place and I’m nauseated regularly.

I’ve had a pelvic scan and a hysteroscopy (all normal). Consultant who did the hysteroscopy suggested going on the pill may help if it’s endometriosis. Could it be endo but surely I’d have suffered for years before now?

I think it could be perimenopause as although I’m only 40, my grandmother and my mum were both young when they went through it. Also, I’m SO irritable.

How do I get the doctor to consider the possibility of perimenopause and what tests/treatment is there? I get all flustered in the doctors and end up apologising for being there, at my last appointment the doctor looked really bored with me which made me even more awkward and unable to put my concerns and symptoms across. (Disclaimer - I’m not usually in and out of the docs, it’s just this last few months when I’ve been in pain and feeling sick etc).

Any advice?

Make a list of all your symptoms.
They should give you a blood test to see hormone levels.
I have a lot of symptoms, last period was 174 days ago, but hormones are ok. So no HRT for me. I take a bunch of vitamins etc. I'm a lot to hit 50.

Also, over the last 6 months or so I’ve become quite incontinent. GP told me to do pelvic floor exercises. I am but it’s getting worse. I’ve also been told I have a rectocele.

Aound the same time (everything has happened over the last few months) I’ve put weight on around my tummy and legs and I’m struggling to shift it. I’ve always been slim so this is unusual too.

I’m just feeling fed up and like I’m falling apart at only 40.

That sounds like peri to me, as does the anxiety. Have you looked at a list of symptoms to see if you have more? So many symptoms you wouldn't associate with peri if you didn't know. Aches and pains can start in any place, I've had frozen shoulder, pains in hips, knees and feet. More tired than usual. Dry skin and hair or itchy skin. Surges of oestrogen can definitely affect your gut. Night sweats, sweating more than usual during the day. Hot flushes, cold flushes. Electric shocks. Insomnia. Hives. Changes in your facial skin. Increased urge to go to the loo, waking at night for the loo. Discomfort in the genital area. Weight gain especially around the waist. Irritability, anger, anxiety, loss of motivation. Memory issues, brain fog.

Louise Newson's balance site probably has a list, there is a more limited list on the NHS page, afaik. I think with NICE guidelines they are supposed to diagnose peri on symptoms after age 45, and rule out other possibilities before that just to be sure it's peri. Make sure you say your mother and grandmother went into full meno early.

Heavy periods are because progesterone levels fall while you sometimes still get large surges of oestrogen which build up womb lining.