Has anyone used Bupa for menopause treatment?

[DeafLeppard]

Am currently struggling with my GP for suspected menopause/perimenopause joint pain. Have had other causes of joint pain ruled out by MRI scan and the GP has been spectacularly unhelpful, suggesting SSRIs and blood tests. Quite how SSRIs are supposed to help with joint pain is beyond me, and blood tests are not needed as per NICE guidelines.

So am wondering whether to just go via Bupa - we have private insurance but I don't think it covers menopause treatment, which they advertise via a separate service. Has anyone used it, and what happens if they prescribe HRT? Do you then have to buy that privately ad infinitum? Any experiences would be helpful.

You’ll be liable for the cost of any private prescriptions - insurance don’t cover them unfortunately

Isn't there another GP in your practice you could have a telephone or econsult with? HRT should be so easily available nowadays without going private. As you say bloods aren't even indicated they go purely on whatever the patient is struggling with. How old are you peri, or older?

Just print out NICE guidelines and present to GP. If you've read up on it pros and cons and sure you want HRT request body identical/micronised HRT with a 6mth review. GPs seem to make this stuff so difficult for everyone.

Generally if you get HRT prescribed privately, most doctors will take it over in local NHS surgery.

My private gynae prescribed significantly more oestrogen cream than the GP was previously giving me.

He sent a letter to GP who increased NHS prescription.

Thanks all.

It's just a bit of a faff engaging with the GP. I've spent the best part of a year getting every other cause of joint pain ruled out, only to go back to the GP and then get stuck in the online form ->wait two weeks for a text message from the GP suggesting blood test and SSRIs->get blood test done->wait for follow up appointment, and then argue the toss with a GP who clearly isn't au fait with the up to date guidance. I think I probably could request a menopause specialist- the practice is large enough to have one, but given I mentioned this in my original note I would have hoped they would have already done the triage!

I'm 45 so within the NICE guideline range!

Often the menopause specialist is a nurse and the one I see is fabulous she knew all about joint/muscle pain being a symptom of menopause.
Ultimately I found getting the nice guidelines and quoting them to be the easiest way to get what I need.
But I would also say don’t dismiss SSRIs one of their unplanned benefits is they can help with certain types of joint/muscle pain.

@DeafLeppard First and foremost, your GP should offer you HRT without a battle if you list all your peri symptoms.

I've had private health cover for 40 years. It won't cover menopause as such but I have used it for issues that were (at the time) unclear if they were hormone related. For example (not mine, but an example) you could use your insurance for things like heavy periods, or symptoms that may or may not be linked to hormones and need some tests.

Once anything has been diagnosed as menopause, it can't be covered as insurance is for short term acute conditions, not usually ongoing treatment (with some exceptions.)

I understand that BUPA offers a meno package for £250 which is not linked to annual premiums, just something all women can access.

I used the BUPA menopause plan. It wasn't covered by my insurance (which is quite a basic package from work) so I self-funded.
Brilliant service. £299 for an initial 45 minute appointment. I did a video appointment and the doc was excellent. For context I was almost 47 and had been experiencing symptoms for a few years, mainly anxiety, insomnia, brain fog (not hot flushes).
She didn't hesitate to prescribe HRT. After three months I had a 30 minute follow-up and had my prescription tweaked.
I bought the initial prescriptions privately, but the doc sent me a letter to take to my GP requesting they continue to prescribe.
No questions asked, GP did so, and now the HRT is on my NHS prescription.
Best thing I ever did.

I used it, as my employer offers the Bupa menopause plan in addition to our health insurance.
It was really useful, 45 minutes long so I was really listened to. I opted to have my first prescription as a private prescription so I could get it asap, I then sent the Bupa GP letter to my GP via the online patches system and they set up my repeat prescription with no issues.