Nannyneet - browse round, make notes. Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary really useful. When I visit my GP I take a list! which he reads with me so that we can prioritise.
I do suggest that if you have a history of depression that this is addressed sooner rather than later (ducks behind the parapet) as regardless of the underlying cause, it may take a while to find an HRT that eases these symptoms. Better to get it sorted and when you have worked out whether you need HRT you will be feeling less low and anxious. I've been on ADs since the 1980s and am sure that this is why depression didn't take hold at peri.!!
Vajazzle - maybe begin your own thread so that you don't get 'lost' here. I will say that alternatives may be of benefit initially but when hormones take over, these benefits may be lost. Have you found the alternative room here? Also, some alternatives should not be taken longer term and if you can get relief from them or/and HRT, don't worry about postponing menopause symptoms. Quality of Life, Girl, Quality of Life
. Make notes. Let us know how you progress. Better to discuss HRT with the Gynae now - because once symptoms hit it can take longer to find something that helps! Maybe this Gynae doesn't know much about HRT so is making excuses not to discuss with you: not that I'm cynical or anything !