How to Get the Most From a Menopause Appointment

Key takeaways

Track your symptoms for a few weeks before the appointment — including mood, sleep and periods.
Women over 45 with typical symptoms can usually be diagnosed without blood tests.
Ask about all your options, including HRT, non-hormonal treatments and lifestyle support.
You can ask for a follow-up or a referral if your symptoms are not improving.

Many women go to a doctor about one symptom — poor sleep, anxiety, heavy periods, joint pain — without realising these can all be connected to perimenopause. Arriving prepared helps your doctor see the full picture.

Before the appointment

Keep a symptom diary for two to four weeks. Note your periods, hot flushes or night sweats, sleep, mood, energy, memory and concentration, joint aches, vaginal dryness and bladder changes. Simple ratings from 0 to 10 are enough.

Write down your history. Include any medicines and supplements, previous conditions, and family history of breast cancer, blood clots, heart disease or osteoporosis — all relevant when discussing treatment.

Decide what matters most to you. Is it sleep? Mood? Flushes at work? Saying “this is what I most want help with” focuses a short appointment.

What to expect

Guidelines say that women over 45 with typical symptoms can usually be diagnosed with perimenopause or menopause based on symptoms alone, without blood tests.¹ Blood tests may be used in some situations, such as for women under 45.²

Your doctor should talk you through the options, including hormone replacement therapy, non-hormonal treatments, cognitive behavioural therapy, and lifestyle support — and the benefits and risks for you personally.¹

Three questions worth asking

Could my symptoms be related to perimenopause or menopause?
What are my treatment options, and what are the benefits and risks for someone with my health history?
When should we review how things are going?

It is entirely reasonable to ask for a longer appointment, a follow-up, or a clinician with a special interest in menopause.

After the appointment

If you start a treatment, it can take a few weeks to a few months to see the full effect. Keep your diary going so you can judge what has changed. If symptoms are not improving, or side effects are bothering you, go back — dose and type can often be adjusted.³

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or other qualified health professional. See our medical disclaimer.

Sources

NICE. Menopause: identification and management (NG23). nice.org.uk.
NHS. Menopause: diagnosis. nhs.uk.
Women’s Health Concern. Menopause – what to expect from your doctor (factsheet). womens-health-concern.org.