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[Lizab]

Can you girls give some tips on demanding what I need from the doctor?

I'm not going to spill my entire menopause history here again, but I have researched (after Hurdity clued me in) and know that I'm not receiving sufficient  estrogen for my premature/early menopause. My doctor doesn't seem to understand this.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that has difficulty demanding what I want/need in regards to menopause treatment from the doctor. I do not wish to see a gynecologist, as I had even worse luck with that group than I'm having with my gp. My gp is the first doctor in several consults over several years to seriously acknowledge my condition, and prescribe some treatment, although insufficient treatment.

So, any tips on how to have the conversation with your doctors? Specific phrases? Is there a guide book "Obtaining Menopause Treatment for Dummies"? 

Those who had to push for your needs, aside from changing doctors, what did you say that worked? Do you print info from the Web and take with you? That seems confrontational and uncomfortable to me.

I feel sure I'm not the only one on this forum that could use some coaching!

[anna123]

If I were  you I would ask for a referral to  menopause clinic or menopause specialist? how old are you?

I'm 41 and was diagnosed at 38. Luckily I have a great GP - she just referred me to specialist. They are great as ask about your symptoms and will put you on relevant HRT based  on your age, symptoms, health history etc. Much of it is trial and error though. I started off on patches but struggled with the progesterone element so was put onto Femoston tablets which has a gentler progesterone element. I tried 2 types before finding one which suited. Many GPs know very little about HRT.

having different issues now but that's another story  

[Kate50]

Take a gun in with you🙌🔫
Just joking!

[Lizab]

Take a gun in with you🙌🔫
Just joking!

Ha! That would certainly get me some kind of treatment! I wonder how well they treat menopause in prison or the looney bin these days!

[Kate50]

Well years ago you were put in the looney bin for having pmt!  maybe not menopause cos you probably didn't reach that age lol!
A friend of mine has a theory about there not being women in menopause cos they were all busy wet nursing? ?

[Kate50]

Am thinking of telling my GP to check this website out so they can realise just what women are going thru and so they can see what image they are giving off

[Julietmaria]

I am in a similar situation - not getting anywhere with my gp - so I  have asked for a referral to a menopause clinic as I am sure they will know about different types of hrt, it certainly seems that way from the research I have done. My GP's first reaction when I asked her for the referral was " is it private"??!!! There seems to be plenty of nhs menopause clinics around the country (although not near where I live so I have asked for referral to London one) and it seems strange that gp's don't refer as a matter of course especially if they know little about hrt themselves.

[Lizab]

I am in the US, and I'm not aware of any menopause clinics anywhere. There are gynecologists that claim to specialize in menopause, but generally they are regular ob/gyn that no longer deliver babies because they're older and done with being on call at all hours for deliveries. The closest one that I found that specializes in menopause is 2 hours from me.

My gp is open minded and knowledgeable. I feel like it's a communication issue, as in, I don't know how to tactfully say what I need. I can't very well say "well, some body on the internet told me..."

[Sweetscarlett]

I have felt re meno that I have done all the work for the doctors, I suggested I try Hrt, all they seem to be good at is reeling off the dangers of Hrt as if you haven't considered them a million times .

 I find it quite scary that I will probably have to be on Hrt until my dying day without a great deal of support and knowledge from a regular gp , its when you go into an appointment and they get out their medical book that you realise you probably know as much about Hrt as they do !

 I will try and be fair I have had 1 doctor who was very knowledgable, but she was a gyno as well.   

I think the only way is to clue up, gently insist on what you want ,if this fails I would definitely ask to be referred ( I'm actually still on the waiting list , to join the waiting list ) to see a gyno , or if you can, go private .
 
XX Ss
 

[starfish]

I wish there really were a book entitled 'Obtaining Menopause Treatment for Dummies'! I would buy it immediately.

In its absence my best resource by far has been this site. I'm back at the doctors next week and will be taking in my list of questions and requests and sticking to it, possibly like a broken record.

Starfish x

[Ms Saucy]

There is a book...menopause for dummies. I got it in Amazon for around 10 pounds... Great resource and explains a lot of stuff in detail xxx

[CLKD]

I usually take a list of issues and book a double appt. if I feel it necessary.  However, my GP never makes me feel rushed. I then ask him to go through the list to prioritise.

If I don't get the answer I think I should have, I go back a couple of weeks later and say 'I wasn't listening properly last time could you remind me ……… '

[Dorothy]

You could try pointing them to the MM website - my GP recommends it & I know she's not the only one. 

It would also be worth saying that someone you know (you don't have to mention you only 'know' them via the forum)  has tried --- and benefited from it, so you would like to try the same treatment.

[Lizab]

If I don't get the answer I think I should have, I go back a couple of weeks later and say 'I wasn't listening properly last time could you remind me ……… '

I do like this. Good tip!

[CLKD]

The important issues are to remember that GPs are on a learning curve; that they may have given bad news to the previous patient; they may have on-going problems with getting treatments/appts. for patients; I try never to be confrontational which builds up a working relationship.

I've tried to use the method in my personal friendships too  .  Occasionally though, I blow  .  I almost did in the Surgery this morning when trying to explain to the person giving out the medication what my requirements might be as to the medication I currently take