Am I wrong for not approaching GP for menopause?

[Tanefan]

I honestly don’t know. I am 51. Divorced. In a relationship but living separately. Very happy with that. Two late teens. Struggling with sleep a bit but still able to get up and carry out a stressful full time job. My last period was in October so I know I am obviously probably not done yet. I feel ok. Work is stressful but that’s been the norm for the last 28 years. Are you supposed to make a GP appointment if you think you are going through the menopause? Or do they just leave you alone to get on with it unless you contact them? I’m a bit clueless tbh!

Posting for answers. I had my last period in August having been a bit erratic for a year or two and I think this is it. Weight got harder to control 2 years ago. Sleep is a bit crap but not too bad. Orgasm is a bit more elusive and sex drive a bit lower but neither too bad. I’m currently not going to go to the GP because if I were them I would tell me to stop Mounjaro and I don’t want to.

They leave you alone unless you contact them.
After all, they won't know you're in the menopause unless you do.

But as they're not prescribing the MJ they can't stop you from taking it.

I'm on HRT and MJ.

What you both need to think about is that HRT, which I presume you're actually asking about?, is a medication that protects you in the long term against a number of health risks and has the side effect of dealing with menopausal symptoms.
Just because you don't have menopausal symptoms doesn't mean you won't benefit from protection against osteoporosis, dementia and cardiovascular risks, amongst others.

What's your fitness like - do you do much weight bearing exercise? I'd consider a bone scan to check for any signs of osteopenia/osteoporosis to see if I wanted to go on HRT for preventative benefits.

I’m not close to that phase yet but I would plan to only go to the GP for menopause if I wanted or felt I needed medication to manage the symptoms.

It’s really great that menopause has so much more awareness now but it is also a natural stage of life that does not need to be pathologised by default.

One thing worth thinking about is bone health, if osteoporosis runs in your family or is you currently do any strength type exercise to keep up your bone density.

Not everyone needs medical input during perimenopause, if you feel fine and are not particularly young for menopause then there’s no need to contact your GP.

If you develop problematic symptoms then contact them, but some people honestly do just sail through it and so you may be one of those lucky ones.

I went through the menopause without particularly noticing. I tried hrt, because my friends were saying how great it was, but really didn't like it.

I had never got on with the pill either and I've always been very steady and even hormonally if left to my own devices.

I wonder if that has anything to do with an 'easy' menopause?

I’m 52 and periods stopped 2 years ago. Finally went to GP this year and got HRT, my sleep has really improved so it’s been worth it for that. As well as the night sweats diminishing. My main reason for wanting HRT was concern about bone density/osteoporosis

@CypressGrove I would say I am reasonably fit. I run, but it’s a bit sporadic depending on work and weather. I can do a 5k.. it’s a push but I can.

The official definition is 12 months with no period. If you are at risk of osteoporosis/osteopenia or cardio vascular disease, and/or are having symptoms which are interfering with daily life, it's probably worth seeing the menopause person at your GP practice whichever stage you are at.

Now that research is finally being done on female health, the impact that oestrogen (and lack thereof) has on our bodies is starting to be better understood. HRT got a bad rap years ago, but the modern bio-identical HRT is supposed to be far superior and carry less risk as it is more targeted.

I started taking HRT in my late 50s and it has made a difference for me. I shouldn't have waited so long as I can finally sleep without the roasting / freezing cycle of duvet off - duvet on.

Nothing to be done unless you’re struggling with symptoms and want HRT

@Dogaredabomb Same, the pill stopped me wearing contact lenses and messed my moods up. Am fine without it.

Differing views here. Thank you. Good to have some different experiences to read.

Is it easy to get a bone density screening test in the UK? I got one at my local pharmacy. Also consider family history of heart disease. You very well might not need anything - but good to weigh up pros and cons.

Sorry no idea how I’ve got that on the wrong thread! MN has gone very glitchy for me.

It's a good idea to get a baseline bone density scan. It's also not a bad idea to have the standard blood tests - cholesterol, thyroid, hba1c - and a blood pressure check, as these are all things that can change around menopause.

If you do decide you want to try HRT, how you get on with it doesn't necessarily correlate with your experience on the pill. I was never able to tolerate the pill but have been absolutely fine with HRT.

The pill is much stronger than HRT. My life has been transformed by HRT, I feel like my 30 year old se. If nothing else, please request Ovestin cream to keep your lady bits healthy.