1. Dr. Jen Gunther is the expert I look to for information regarding perimenopause and menopause.
2. Go get her book The Menopause Manifesto. It is a comprehensive manual about what the heck is going on with our bodies and the risks and benefits of all the different modalities that we can use to help us.
3. Look for an OB/GYN who is certified by the North American Menopause Society. They have the added certifications, training and expertise to help us.
4. Be weary of MLM scams and MDs who are selling the "magic cure." I know of MDs who sell Plexus and other untested herbal nonsense to their patients. This is unethical and a conflict of interest. They know we are desperate and vulnerable. Don't get sucked in!
Ladies, keep pushing for information and help. Talk about menopause with your friends, mothers and daughters. Also, do not let an MD "poo poo" your symptoms. If they do call them out and if they still do not help you get another provider.
This is super helpful, thank you. When I asked my (male) obgyn what I needed to know about potential perimenopause he was like eh.....nothing. I am now awaiting my scheduled appointment w/my new (female, menopause specialist) doc, obviously....
Yeah, I realize taking this seriously is not necessarily confined to gender stereotypes. He was a good doctor for a number of years so his indifference did surprise me. And I'm not counting on getting HRT because I do have family history of breast cancer. But I do want to talk to someone who views it as a valid topic of conversation!
Thanks for sharing your experience. For me, we were still trying to have a third child when ... a hormone test showed that I was essentially perimenopausal. I was around 41/42. Quite an eye opener (and it explained a lot about what I had been experiencing in the several years leading up to that point). But yes -- physicians are definitely (in general) not prepared to discuss perimenopause and menopause. Thanks for doing your part to try to change that.
I didn't read this when it came out 'cause I thought I haven't had symptoms of menopause. But my husband said I'm very forgetful and that there is something wrong with me. I explained to him that memory loss is a side effect of menopause and he was totally surprised. I've also been having night sweats. Been having horrible headaches and migraines the past four years. So now, I'm going to talk with my doctor about HRT. I'm grateful you are talking about this subject. There isn't enough info on this subject, so even I've been in the dark.
As I read this, I'm literally sweating out a hot flash. 🥵 I've been putting off talking to my doctor for way too long. Thanks for this nudge.
I got so used to just pouring sweat everywhere I went, it took me awhile (way too long) to snap out of it and realize I should talk to someone...
Thank you for continuing this conversation.
A few things I have learned.
1. Dr. Jen Gunther is the expert I look to for information regarding perimenopause and menopause.
2. Go get her book The Menopause Manifesto. It is a comprehensive manual about what the heck is going on with our bodies and the risks and benefits of all the different modalities that we can use to help us.
3. Look for an OB/GYN who is certified by the North American Menopause Society. They have the added certifications, training and expertise to help us.
4. Be weary of MLM scams and MDs who are selling the "magic cure." I know of MDs who sell Plexus and other untested herbal nonsense to their patients. This is unethical and a conflict of interest. They know we are desperate and vulnerable. Don't get sucked in!
Ladies, keep pushing for information and help. Talk about menopause with your friends, mothers and daughters. Also, do not let an MD "poo poo" your symptoms. If they do call them out and if they still do not help you get another provider.
Oh this is soooooo very helpful!!
This is super helpful, thank you. When I asked my (male) obgyn what I needed to know about potential perimenopause he was like eh.....nothing. I am now awaiting my scheduled appointment w/my new (female, menopause specialist) doc, obviously....
I had the opposite experience! My woman GP told me she wouldn’t prescribe HRT. My male obgyn did.
Yeah, I realize taking this seriously is not necessarily confined to gender stereotypes. He was a good doctor for a number of years so his indifference did surprise me. And I'm not counting on getting HRT because I do have family history of breast cancer. But I do want to talk to someone who views it as a valid topic of conversation!
Thanks for sharing your experience. For me, we were still trying to have a third child when ... a hormone test showed that I was essentially perimenopausal. I was around 41/42. Quite an eye opener (and it explained a lot about what I had been experiencing in the several years leading up to that point). But yes -- physicians are definitely (in general) not prepared to discuss perimenopause and menopause. Thanks for doing your part to try to change that.
I didn't read this when it came out 'cause I thought I haven't had symptoms of menopause. But my husband said I'm very forgetful and that there is something wrong with me. I explained to him that memory loss is a side effect of menopause and he was totally surprised. I've also been having night sweats. Been having horrible headaches and migraines the past four years. So now, I'm going to talk with my doctor about HRT. I'm grateful you are talking about this subject. There isn't enough info on this subject, so even I've been in the dark.