Getting support
Questions to ask your GP about perimenopause or menopause
When you finally get an appointment, it is easy to forget half the things you wanted to mention. Here is a simple, non-clinical conversation guide you can adapt to your own experience.
Good to know: This guide is general information, not individual medical advice or a substitute for a GP. Content is researched from the UK sources listed below, but has not been independently clinically reviewed.
Before your appointment
Write down the symptoms that bother you most, roughly when they started and how they affect your daily life. Include any changes to bleeding patterns, medicines or contraception, and any questions you have about treatment.
If your periods are becoming unusually heavy, you are bleeding unexpectedly or you have another worrying symptom, tell your GP clearly rather than assuming it is a routine part of perimenopause.
Questions worth taking along
You do not need to ask every question. Pick a few that matter to you and use them as conversation starters, not a checklist you must complete.
- Could these symptoms relate to perimenopause or menopause, or should we look for another cause?
- Based on my age, symptoms and medical history, would any tests help?
- What treatment and non-treatment options might suit me, including HRT or menopause-specific CBT?
- What are the likely benefits, risks and possible side effects for my circumstances?
- What should I know about contraception and any medicines I already take?
- When should we review how things are going, and what symptoms should prompt me to seek help sooner?
A note about blood tests
NICE advises that in otherwise healthy people aged 45 and over, perimenopause or menopause can often be identified from symptoms and cycle changes without hormone blood tests. Recommendations are different for younger ages and certain circumstances.
This is why an individual conversation with a clinician is more useful than assuming everyone needs the same test or treatment.
Bring support into the picture
A good appointment should leave you clearer about the options and next steps, even if you need time to decide. You can ask for information in writing or arrange follow-up if you are unsure.
MenoGrit is here for the everyday side of midlife: sharing experiences and finding community. Your own healthcare professional remains the right person for individual treatment decisions.
Sources and further reading
Trusted UK health guidance. Always check the source for the latest recommendations.