Is GP or private clinic better for HRT?

[PollyIndia]

I'm keen to explore HRT I think - 49 in oct, and no awful symptoms, but peeing more, waking up early, bit of anxiety (although I've had it worse than this for a long time due to other factors, not hormones). Periods have been mainly regular, the odd short and long cycle over the last few years, then 14 days late last time. My gp will defo prescribe is as we talked about it a year ago but I didn't feel ready then. But I just wondered if you get a more tailored prescription if you go somewhere like Newson. I know then you have to pay, which isn't ideal, but I'm a bit worried about my anxiety stuff getting worse if I get it wrong, when it's probably the best its been since I started my business back in 2016. Any advice would be very welcome, thank you! Reasons I'm keen to go on it are for sleep and the increased peeing, plus all the other health benefits of it as women get older. Thank you!

My GP is also a private menopause specialist. When I first chatted to her, I asked if it was easier/different to see her privately. She said absolutely not. She prescribed the same regime for all her patients, NHS or private.

I’ve only used NHS and once I was past first hurdle of being ‘too young’ 37, I found it very good. I got testosterone via gynae at hospital…

you might find vaginal oestrogen, from on line pharmacy easily enough, sorts out the peeling.

I'd start with your GP and see how you go.
Privately, the types of HRT are the same. You won't need anything tailored unless you have particular reasons for having something different.
The only difference tends to be adjustments to the length of the cycle etc. and having this monitored by private scans.

The only other reason to see someone privately is if you have other gynae / related issues and want a specialist who can do it all, or if the type of HRT needs changing and your GP isn't familiar with all the options.

My HRT is private but the reason for that is I saw my gynaecologist for something else before HRT and continued with them. I am on a variation of the normal cycle for HRT but the drugs are the same.

If I had to go through the menopause again, I would definitely see a specialist who hopefully knows all there is to know. My GP was apparently the meno specialist at our Surgery, but although she sympathised with my symptoms, it was basically try something and see, when you really want GP to say this will help. Unfortunately due to me having high blood pressure, she wasn’t happy to prescribe anything, so I gave up.

Thank you all. Maybe I'll start with my GP then. I wasn't sure if private places tailored the dose etc...