Hi linseymc
Firstly
![welcomemm :welcomemm:](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/welcomemm.gif)
Also I am so sorry to hear about your treatment by your doctor and refusal to prescribe HRT. This doctor should be challenged and reported to the practice manager or higher up if necessary, if his refusal is not based on a specific medical reason.
The NICE Guidelines on menopause deem a woman to be peri-menopausal over the age of 45 based on symptoms and cycle length alone – so if your cycle has become irregular and erratic and you are experiencing flushes and sweats then this is sufficient to diagnose menopause and to prescribe HRT. Blood tests are not needed.
It is your right to have appropriate HRT for menopausal symptoms provided you have no medical contra-indication to taking it.
By all means eat a mediterranean diet and take more exercise – this will be very beneficial – but buying HRT is a no-no. Please do not buy it online – whatever your daughter and Mary G say. This is not necessary and definitely not advisable. The right doctor should be prescribing it with knowledge of your medical history and under appropriate supervision. There are plenty of suitable HRT types available here on NHS. They are listed under Treatments (top tabs – pale green banner). We can advise you before you go back to the GP. I suggest you phone up and ask which GP in your practice understand menopause and is expert on HRT – there must be someone. I gather that some practice nurses can prescribe in the first instance – but may be more limited in the variety they can prescribe?
Based on the products available - yes patches are great - I have used them for 10 years +. There are two combi types available or you can use them separately with progesterone. Read up on the different types and the rest pof the information on this website about menopause ( same top tabs) and then ask any more questions if you need to and we will try to help.
Mary G – I know you mean well, but you really should not encourage anyone to buy HRT online. Linseymc needs a medical assessment before starting it and regular medical supervision and review, which is available on NHS – but may need a bit of a push!
Hurdity x