Respectfully I disagree with this. Yes Menopause clinics should be reserved purely for complex cases but in some areas, like mine, only Menopause Clinics can prescribe testosterone not GP’s.
@moderdy I would advise you to ask your GP directly to be referred to one because ONLY HRT is alleviating your symptoms, you need vaginal estrogen for GSM & you want to try testosterone - but only say you want it for libido purposes & nothing else. Not even menopause. It’s ridiculous but it’s the only way to be given a chance. I tried to say look I’m obviously wanting to try it for my chronic meno related insomnia, fatigue & the other health benefits as well as libido & this was enough to put them off.
The point being however that some areas operate this way. I too had been told by a GP to come off my HRT altogether because I was concerned I may be getting progesterone intolerance & had asked if I could trial a different form of progesterone, per the BMS guidance. (I mean poor OP wasn’t even complaining or presenting her GP with a “problem” with her HRT) As the GP was clearly completely inexperienced in suggesting alternate options, she made up some reason why I shouldn’t even be on HRT at all, due to “risks”” as a solution to the matter.
I suffer extreme anxiety, ADHD dysregulation, even worse insomnia, severe mood disturbance - when not on HRT. It has been the only thing, that like you OP that keeps me going. For me (& I appreciate my difficulties have been more severe p’haos in this regard) HRT has literally been life saving for me due to suicidality experienced for many long years without it (& years of begging for it as I felt there was a hormonal basis to my depression & anxiety. It has worked in ways unlike any antidepressant possibly could & literally transformed how I was feeling).
So someone suggesting I simply come off it because they couldn’t cope with not being the expert in the room & do the sensible thing & refer me to someone that knew more, was not going to wash with me.
I trialled myself taking progesterone on a strictly empty stomach & my intolerance symptoms subsided. I then saw a different GP & explained how much of an impact being taken off HRT would have on my mental & emotional health, & that I wanted a second opinion about this from a specialist who understands Menopause.
Thank god the GP agreed & referred me. In my case, it was only because Testosterone could not be prescribed by the GP, that enabled her to refer me to the Menopause Clinic. Because I was also asking to trial this too.
It’s crazy that specialist services should be not only organised in this way, but also used like this. But if it’s the only way to be able to get treatment you’re entitled to then I would strongly advise you to take it.
It’s clear that GP’s themselves don’t want to clog up specialist services with people who should be seen & treated in primary care, hence why they also try to fob you off and say all the horrific & damaging tripes about menopause like testosterone won’t work, it will make you grow hairs like a man (what I was told) etc etc to deter you from even trying it.
It really is a disgrace. Please advocate for yourself OP. You won’t be causing a fuss. Bit simply asking for what you need.