No problem Teresa
![Smiley :)](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/smiley.gif)
. Though it's frustrating & can be a serious impediment to our progress/recovery & we can be left feeling powerless as a result, it's not really anyone's fault that many medics lack HRT knowledge. There has been insufficient training & until relatively recently with the raising of the profile of menopause, relatively low demand for HRT in the last 2 decades as everyone was scared off, patients & clinicians alike, by the misleading & hugely detrimental outcome of a large study that was poorly designed & sensationally reported. It stuck in the collective psyche & has proved hard to dislodge.
Plus, GPs have long been hugely overburdened, with massive patient lists & too few staff, so finding time to learn about menopause can't be easy. With the drive of Newson Health & other determined advocates for women to increase awareness & education, hopefully that will all change.
Frustratingly for all concerned, it's not only GPs who lack knowledge - I've had some surprising, heartsink conversations with gynaecologists & clinicians of other specialties women are obliged to go to for help with the issues menopause throws up, where it's become apparent that the level of knowledge has been less than we need & might reasonably expect. As we all know, it can be tricky to make progress in such situations & if tactful, respectful perseverance in making a point we know to be correct/feel to be important doesn't work, the only course of action sometimes is to go to another doctor. All the more reason to learn as much as we can, to be our own advocates & increase our chances of being heard.
Good luck with the 75mcg patches. Would be good to know how you get on if you feel like posting.
Wx