Seeing your GP about menopause: how to prepare

Short answer: bring an overview of your symptoms, your cycle and bleeding over the last months, what you have already tried and your three most important questions. Also say how much it affects your daily life. For women over 45, GPs usually recognise perimenopause and menopause from your age and symptoms, without a blood test.

Before the appointment

1. Your symptoms. Hot flushes per day, night sweats, sleep, mood, concentration, joints, vaginal dryness, peeing. Note how often and how bad.
2. Your cycle. How long your cycles were in recent months, how heavy you bleed and when your last period was.
3. What you tried. Less coffee, exercise, supplements, earlier medicines.
4. Your health. Medicines you take, and whether breast cancer, blood clots or heart disease run in your family.
5. What you want. An explanation, fewer hot flushes, better sleep, information about HRT. Pick your three most important questions.

Questions you can ask

• Does what I notice fit with perimenopause or menopause?
• Which treatments are there for me, with and without hormones?
• What are the benefits and risks of HRT for me?
• When do we review it?

Always mention

Bleeding after 12 months without periods, very heavy or long bleeding, or bleeding after sex: mention it straight away, even if you came for something else.

Your overview from PERIOD.

In PERIOD. you can make a simple report for your GP for free. With PERIOD. meno you get a full PDF report: your cycles, your symptoms per week, your HRT next to your hot flushes and your monthly check ins, with a short visit script of what to say and ask. So you walk in prepared.

Sources: NICE NG23, Menopause: identification and management; NHS, Menopause; NHG standaard De overgang; Thuisarts.nl (NHG), Overgang. This article is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a blood test to know if I am in perimenopause?

For women over 45 usually not. Your GP looks at your age, your cycle and your symptoms. If you are younger, a blood test can be useful.

What should I bring to my GP?

An overview of your symptoms and cycle over the last months, what you tried, your medicines and your three most important questions.

Can my GP prescribe HRT?

Yes. Your GP can talk it through with you and prescribe it if it suits you.

Want to walk in prepared? Download PERIOD. on the App Store or on Google Play.