We asked a leading menopause doctor to explain how to get your point across and the help you need.
Talking to your General Practitioner (GP) about perimenopause and menopause can be hard when you can barely think straight for all the symptoms. We asked a leading menopause doctor to explain how to get your point across and the help you need.
Do women feel they can talk to their GP about menopause?
Speaking to your doctor about menopause symptoms should be simple, only it isn’t. When your menopausal symptoms could be the Greatest Hits Collection of 34 different symptoms, where do you start? What’s more, when a handful of those typical menopause symptoms are insomnia, memory loss, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety and depression, you might not be the most effective communicator. Throw into that mix vaginal dryness and lack of sex drive and it’s a wonder if you make it past the waiting room.
Who should you to talk to about menopause?
General Practitioners are a phenomenal asset to our NHS but sadly, many of them don’t have sufficient training in diagnosing perimenopausal symptoms and too many women are being incorrectly diagnosed, prescribed antidepressants or simply not receiving the help they need. "It’s very difficult for GPs to tick off so many boxes and my view is that GPs should not have to do everything themselves but there should be designated menopause clinics that they can refer women onto,” Dr Shahzadi Harper, world-leading specialist on perimenopause and menopause.
How to speak to your doctor about menopause
So how to convey all your perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, then? Here are Dr Shahzadi Harper’s failsafe tips on how to talk to your doctor about perimenopause and menopause and get the most effective support out there.
1. Make a list
A lot of women suffer with brain fog and in that moment at the GP surgery, you might forget some of the things you came in with. That’s when you might worry you won’t be taken seriously. So, make the most out of your appointment and make a list of all your symptoms, even if you have to read it out.
2. Only talk about menopause
Don't go into your appointment with other complaints too because it will be diagnosis overload and there's no way that doctor is going to be as receptive and empathetic. For the best help, stick to just explaining your menopausal symptoms.
3. Book a double appointment
If your surgery allows it, request two back-to-back appointments so you have a full 20 minutes to speak your mind and your doctor to work out a treatment plan.
4. Be clear with what you’re feeling
Tell your physician, “I don't feel depressed, I just don't feel like myself.” These are two very different issues that often get confused and a lot of women who have been depressed in the past can recognise that.
5. Find the best doctor at your surgery
GPs all have different strengths; if there’s somebody within your practice who likes this topic and who's the go-to within the practice, request an appointment with them specifically.
6. Ask to be referred to a menopause specialist
Alternatively, if menopause is something none of your doctors know much about, ask them to refer you to someone who does. They’re professionals and it’s not offensive to get yourself referred on to somebody who can better deal with your symptoms.
7. Go to a private menopause specialist if possible
If you can afford to, go and see somebody privately – it’s money well spent. We've all grown up thinking that the NHS should provide us with every type of healthcare but spending money on our health is a good investment. We will often go and pay that much for a haircut!
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NOTES:
Dr Shahzadi Harper started her London-based menopause clinic, The Harper Clinic to help empower every kind of woman and optimise women’s health. She specialises in perimenopause, menopause and PCOS and has just co-authored her first book The Perimenopause Solution, available now.
www.theharperclinic.com
