MNHQ here: results of our survey about the menopause, perimenopause and experiences with GPs

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

You may remember a few months ago we, with our colleagues over on Gransnet, kicked off a a campaign focusing on the menopause and perimenopause.

We first looked at the HRT shortage and now we’re looking at GPs - here’s some of what we found:

Nearly four in ten women seeking treatment for perimenopause symptoms say their GP told them they’d just have to learn to live with it
Over a quarter of those seeking treatment for menopause were told the same thing
36% of those who sought help from their GP for perimenopause symptoms, and 26% of those who sought help for menopause symptoms, say they visited their GP three times or more before being prescribed appropriate medication or help

To find out more, take a look here. Let us know what you think. And if you’re in the mood to do some clicktivism, take a look at this petition calling for mandatory training about the menopause for GPs-in-training.

Thanks
MNHQ

Whether they are interested in gynaecology or not, ALL GPs will see patients with menopausal/peri symptoms. Therefore they need to know about it, and that it isn't just something us poor ladies have to put up with as we get older.

What other medical conditions do we have where we the patients are supposed to find out what the matter is, research appropriate treatment and then go to the GP to tell them what's wrong with us and what they need to do about it?

I have never met a GP who is anything less than totally dismissive when I've looked into something myself and tentatively mentioned it.

Just to cheer you up, peri menopause is definitely already on the GP curriculum. And believe me, as a GP trainee nearing the menopause I’m very aware of it! We are assessed almost continuously during our extended training, not to mention the rigorous exams we have to pass to be allowed to become a GP. No one can just walk in and become a GP; it’s a tough training.
So I’m afraid I agree with PP. it’d be so good to hear more about what women can do to self help, working with their GP to look after themselves.

And I’m afraid that with many major cities being under GP’ed, we have large populations who have no access at all. In the midst of possibly facing a public health crisis, you’d think that would be higher up the agenda than GP bashing (again).

So I’m afraid I agree with PP. it’d be so good to hear more about what women can do to self help, working with their GP to look after themselves

Women are already self helping though, there's probably millions spent on alternative supplements that aren't particularly effective for the symptoms they have. Women go backwards and forwards to doctors getting nowhere. I mentioned upthread that I have a cardiovascular issue that is affected by the withdrawal of estrogen, yet my consultant nor my GP have any idea about this, I've had to read academic research papers, yet these are not accessible to many women. It's not a fringe issue, it affects every single woman eventually who lives through the menopause.

I have never in my life (and I've been through quite a bit) felt that I needed looking after more than I do now, at perimenopause.

I've seen three GPs to no avail. I get that the system is broken. I am increasingly broken as well.

My next step is to take my ailing mental and physical health private. The NHS is either not equipped or not interested in becoming equipped to deal with this phase of a woman's life, a few good eggs notwithstanding.

As for self-help, I truly believe you can only self-help if you are ruthlessly analytical about symptoms and stunningly well-informed. The average web page on perimenopause is wishy-washy and most of us have zero background in hormonal issues.

I need someone to be the expert, I cannot be my own expert without expertise.

I wish mumsnet would at least post the NICE guidelines at the top of the menopause thread.

All I was ever offered were antidepressants. It makes me so angry. It is totally the wrong advice. I agree it should be taught in schools. I have made sure my DD knows all about it.

I went through early menopause at 43 with a two year old. I was not, and am still not, interested in looking at 'Gransnet' as I am decades off being one.

Another misconception 'all women go through it at 52'

There is an incredibly knowledgeable and helpful poster on the menopause board, who gives up to date and relevant advice. She writes about the menopause. If you read the threads on there, they can be a lifesaver.

Why should women 'self help'?

Most of us have to, through necessity, or even self medicate. What a worrying view.

It’s worth pointing out that certain antidepressants have a good evidence base for reducing hot flushes and sweats - they’re not always prescribed because the GP thinks you are depressed, although obviously that needs to be explained

My GP was great. I went through 6 months of the worst kind of menopause with wet hair plastered to my head 24/7 and feeling like a crazy woman.
My male GP went through various types of HRT with me until I found the right one and really didn't give me any grief about going in and saying the last one didn't suit me.
I was gutted when he left to live in Australia with his family because of work stress but generally all of the GPs at my old surgery were fantastic and understanding of the menopause.

Well I didn't have a single hot flush and was prescribed anti depressants, as have nearly ALL the women on the menopause thread.

This makes me angry.
Any criticism of GPs by women is 'GP bashing'. What about the bashing many, many women are receiving at the hands of uninterested, dismissive, patronising and frankly under-educated GPs?
Even my otherwise lovely (male) GP dismissed a lot of the symptoms I reported and said they couldn't be put down to menopause. HRT has seen all of them off.
The HRT shortage was under-reported and to my knowledge has still not been explained

There was a woman who did an investigation and concluded it was the way the NHS had priced HRT making the UK unattractive as a market.

It's another example of a postcode lottery. In my surgery there is a menopause specialist who is happy to prescribe HRT, at my friend's practice all the GPs are against it and it took her months and a whole load of research and over two hours of conversation to persuade her GP. How does that make sense?

Hey there. Apologies if the phrase “self help” sounded a bit trite. It’s not meant to bounce the issue back to the individual; I get that’s not ok. Mostly because I know from my own experience. As a professional, the greatest job satisfaction is from helping patients, supporting them and working with them to navigate shit stuff.

It’s hard being a gp. I know they aren’t all angels. But it’s bloody exhausting caring & trying really hard. I love my job, even the tough bits. And I’d like to help patients to cope with the hard stuff. That’s my aim.

Thank you for the apology, what you said was neglectful and clearly angered people.

We all have hard jobs. We all care for people. We are all exhausted.

You have been asked before to read up on NICE guidelines, I would do so. This affects 50% of the population. There is no excuse for us knowing more than you and 'working with you' This is your job.

'self help' is an appalling thing to say (if you really are a GP)

So. If it helps, I have looked at the NICE guidelines. And I have lived experience. Plus my point was: this is core to our curriculum.

“Self help” isn’t of itself about making things just the responsibility of the patient. I really enjoy empowering patients and sharing the journey with them. My job is to help patients to work through what is happening to them.
And, whilst I get people were “angered” I think the absolute core of this is that I have to know how to help (and I do). I advise, support, signpost, prescribe, etc. I stick by the term “self help” because I help people to help themselves. I don’t impose stuff. Not how I work.

And no, I’m not a GP. I’m a GP registrar (GP trainee). No need to suggest not.

Bit more training then

It’s a sad day when someone chooses to undermine the 15+ years of post grad research and “training” I have as a woman doctor.

But.

Hey ho.

But you apologised, so lets move on... (and do some reading) let's treat people and not ask them to 'self help' Good start.

No. I’ve not given any medical advice on any other threads. I think you may have me confused with someone else? I’ve not posted on this topic before.
It’d be completely unprofessional to offer advice to sometime who you hadn’t seen and had no knowledge of. I’d signpost anyone with concerns should see their own GP.

Why would you not give advice? Your opinion? This is what mumsnet is for. Didn't you do that earlier by suggesting women 'work with their GP's' and 'self help'

This was clearly advice.

I have obviously confused you with someone with a near identical username.

Please, no more derailing of this important thread. Thanks.

The menopause is a serious issue. The menopause thread is for sharing advice and experience and I, for one, would be lost without it. As would many others, who have propblems getting help.

@mrsnoah2020 I suspect I am "the charmer above" that you refer to. If you are indeed a GP, that comment in itself is so indicative of the mentality. I'm uncharming because I spoke about my experiences?

I really do feel for the pressures GPs and particularly trainees are under, it's immense. But we as patients ARE allowed to talk about our experiences - and it's actually bloody important that we do. I don't blame GPs per se but the regulations and legislations that make your lives difficult, in turn can really harm patients and make their lives rather more difficult than yours.

I've never been made to feel as worthless as I was by a GP who said I was a "timewaster". They were wrong, the following day I began a month in intensive care and nearly died. This is sadly not a unique experience. Recently, a vulnerable and suicidal young person in my family plucked up the courage to see the GP. She was shitting herself and it took everything she had to get there and ask for help. She was sent out of the GP's room sobbing her heart out after approximately 2 minutes. She'd been completely dismissed, belittled, and she said "why wouldn't he let me talk?".

It's all just terribly terribly sad. I only hope that newer GPs are better supported, funded, trained, and as a result more sympathetic.

There is a reason why 'good' GPs who everyone in the community likes, who always have long waiting lists because they are kind, are leaving the profession/retiring early.

Yours, the uncharming one