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Tips for Getting the Perimenopause and Menopause Care You Need

1. Look for a Menopause-Informed Provider(s). The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) certifies practitioners so they get additional training. 

You may have a good relationship with your GYN and maybe even a longer one with your primary care doctor. But if neither is knowledgeable about menopause—knowing the symptoms and stages, as well as being up to date on treatment options—then it may be time to move on to providers that specialize in menopause.  

It may make sense to go to a GYN who does not do OB (although not always). 

Menopause affects many parts of the body, so it’s not just your gynecologist that needs to be up to date on menopause. 

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2. Manage Your Expectations

You may have to schedule multiple appointments with your doctor. A preventative well-visit with your gynecologist and/or internist requires them to do certain procedures and to ask certain questions. There might not be the time to discuss all of your menopausal symptoms during one appointment. 

Therefore, it may be important to book a non-preventive visit and/or to have a follow-up visit.

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3. Prepare in Advance for Your Appointment

• Learn More

Learn as much as you can about menopause from trusted, reliable sources, including: 

North American Medical Society (NAMS)

Let’s Talk Menopause

Society For Women's Health Research

International Menopause Society 

• Track and Order Your Symptoms 

Track your symptoms for a few weeks prior to your visit utilizing the LTM symptoms tracker LTM Symptoms Tracker-English  LTM Symptoms Trac ker-Spanish, or the Menopause Rating Scale: Menopause Rating Scale (MRS)

Order those symptoms according to which are worrying you the most or having the greatest adverse impact on your health and life. 

• Write Down Your Questions in Advance 

Write down your questions before your appointment. 

Make sure to start with those questions related to what is worrying/bothering you the most. So, for example, talk about your worsening mood and whether your doctor believes you need to see a mental health specialist; ask about hormone therapy for your hot flashes, etc.)

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4. Be Aware of Potential Red Flags

• The biggest one: your medical practitioner dismisses your symptoms and concerns or suggests “they’re all in your head.”

• Compounding pharmacies (Not all of them are problematic, but consistency of ingredients/dosing are common problems. Generally better to use FDA regulated, commercially available options.)

• Hormone testing during perimenopause (According to NAMS and many menopause healthcare providers, hormone testing generally has little diagnostic utility during perimenopause given the degree of hormonal fluctuations.) Specific hormone tests, however, may be necessary if there are fertility issues or a woman stops menstruating at an early age. 

• Selling you an expensive product. It never can hurt to ask or explore yourself whether it is backed by any research, and if so, what the data show. This will help you make an informed decision, as well as manage your expectations.