Too many symptoms to get HRT?

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I’m 45 and have had a whole list of unexplained symptoms starting two years ago. The doctor said if I’d walked in complaining of irregular periods and feeling hot she would have prescribed HRT. But because I am also complaining of burning hands, dry eyes, dry hair, aching, stiffness, swollen ankles, anxiety, insomnia - I have to be referred for an ultrasound to rule out ovarian cysts and then see the gynaecologist for them to make the decision about HRT.

Is this normal? It’s going to take months to get these appointments.

well it’s normal in that GPs are often fecking rubbish and don’t know anything about menopause. Is there another gp you could see?

Yes there are other GPs but I doubt they’ll overturn their colleague’s decision. I actually went to this GP because the first GP went “If you’re still having periods there’s nothing I can do”.

Actually the GP today tried to say I’m too young at 45. But my mum was with me and loudly said she started HRT at 42 due to symptoms. So the GP said “oh there’s a family history of early menopause” and referred me to the gynaecologist. I don’t think either of us had “early” symptoms?

I’ve just never heard of anyone being refused HRT because they have too many symptoms? It’s made me worried that these symptoms aren’t normal.

you have a lot of symptoms that overlap with many other things so it’s always good to get them ruled out

you could ask why you can’t have hrt at the same time as waiting for these other tests -remind him that you famikybtends to have early menopause and that hrt is advised for early menopause because of the additional health risks

I think they want to exclude other causes. For instance many of the symptoms you report could be due to an endocrine or autoimmune cause. They would be negligent if they just gave out HRT and it turned out you had another treatable illness.

You don't need a referral as 45 is not early menopause!
Early menopause is when periods stop altogether before 45.
Normal menopause is when periods stop anywhere from 45-55.

Honestly, your GP sounds misinformed. Many women have symptoms even when they have regular periods (some of the cycles can be with no ovulation.)

https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/perimenopause-menopause-and-hrt-everything-you-need-to-know

Symptoms vary between women and can change with time. Fluctuating hormone levels lead to many symptoms, including:

• Brain fog – symptoms such as poor concentration, slips, difficulty absorbing information
• Memory problems
• Reduced energy
• Low mood
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Poor sleep
• Lack of libido
• Muscle and joint pains
• Hair and skin changes (such as dry or itchy skin)
• Panic attacks
• Worsening headaches and migraines
• Worsening PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
• Vaginal dryness, itching or soreness
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Urinary symptoms such as increased frequency passing urine
• Heart palpitations
• Changes to periods – lighter and more irregular or more frequent and heavier
• Hot flushes
• Night sweats

There can be other, often surprising symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, including dry eyes, brittle nails, dizziness, altered sense of taste and smell, mouth issues such as bleeding gums, and tinnitus.

See all the signs of peri ^

Not sure how she jumped to ovarian cysts in all of this!
You don't have any symptoms for those.

It's really frustrating that so many GPs know nothing about menopause but also waste precious time by referring to a consultant.

You can either be assertive and print off the '34 signs of peri'- or just take this into your own hands and see another GP or (and you shouldn't have to) refer yourself to a private consultant or private GP and get your HRT sorted.

You could ask your GP for a blood test to rule out thyroid or anything else while you're waiting.

Go back to your GP or see another one and show her the list. If she still refuses, see someone privately. Your referral is not urgent and could be months and months.

A private GP appointment will cost you around £75 depending where you live.

Your mum was in your gps appointment with you?

A problem I had was that I didn't know what a hot flush would be like.

I thought it would be a short episode of being hot and sweaty.

My personal hot flushes were burning feet.

I only realised after I started HRT and my feet stopped burning.

Hardly surprising people need a supportive family member with them when GPs and other medical personnel are becoming so useless and dismissive.

I've frequently had medications prescribed that I cannot have due to a certain condition, and despite me mentioning I cannot have it, AND the Internet/NHS website saying no to the medication, AND the manufacturers patient leaflet inside ALL saying I can not have that medication the GP insists I "try it" 🙄

im 47 and have all the peri menopausal symptoms too, except from the hot flushes, luckily not started with them yet. I was told by the nurse at my gp surgery that there's no chance of me being prescribed any HRT until im having an awful time with horrendous hot flushes. I felt very dismissed

This has gone on for 2 years. I’ve had a million clear blood tests, also been referred to neurology and been discharged. No explanation for the symptoms. But apparently it can’t be perimenopause.

Not sure how she jumped to ovarian cysts in all of this! You don't have any symptoms for those.

I have heavy irregular periods. But I think at 45 perimenopause is a more likely explanation than a cyst! Because I have no other symptoms of a cyst.

It couldn’t possibly be normal hormonal irregularities due to my age - I’m too young at 45, so it must be a cyst 🙄

Yes. She came with me as support because I’m repeatedly being dismissed and I was crying because I can’t get any help for painful symptoms.

If she hadn’t been there the doctor would have dismissed me again. I only got the gynaecologist referral because the doctor was saying I’m too young and my mum said sorry but that’s ridiculous because my periods stopped at 42.

You need to go back and be more pushy , if you can be. Don't accept what she says without challenging it- politely of course.

A decent GP can treat premature and early menopause anyway- with HRT.
It doesn't warrant a referral. Loads of women in their early 40s are on HRT for early menopause. BUT you aren't in that category anyway.

It's awful that she's going to waste a consultant's time with something she could - and should - deal with while women with serious issues are in the queue for a referral.

So you have the most classic symptoms of peri- irregular and heavy periods but she won't accept that as peri?

If you can't face challenging her when you see her, maybe write it all down and that will help you at the appt.

FFS even the NHS website states that menopause can start at 45, and that perimenopause can can start years before that. I’m still having periods at 52 (bastard things, my mum’s stopped really young so I feel cheated) but I’ve been on HRT since late 40s. Go back to your GP, take your mum, print out everything useful from the NHS that clearly shows perimenopause can start before 45 and what the symptoms are. Tell the GP you are refusing to leave until she tries you on HRT because you have had two years of checks and you are fed up of your symptoms not being treated and being given factually incorrect information about perimenopause. Or, get your mum to say that. Or, go see a private menopause consultant if you can afford it.

i hope you get it resolved soon