GPs are busy, so you want to go in with as much information up front so that you can get the care you need.

Once you’ve found the right GP for you (check out the Find a Trusted Health Professional page), it’s time to get prepared for your visit.

Step 1: Make sure you’ve been tracking your cycle and sumptoms. There are fabulous period tracker apps out there, like Balance (HIGHLY RECOMENDED!), Flo, Clue, P Tracker. Download one and get tracking. Or, just go old school and use a diary. Whatever you do, Track. Your. Cycle! If you don’t track it, how will you know to throw your White Pants Party when you actually hit menopause?

Step 2: Complete the Greene’s Climacteric Scale here (click and print the picture on this page), or you can find a slightly different version on the Australian Menopause Society’s site. A total score of 15 or more may indicate perimenopausal symptoms. A total score of 20 more most likely indicates perimenopause. FYI - Climacteric is an old school name which means significant life event, or cessation of fertility in medicine. Medicine is still verrrry old school.

Step 2A: If you’ve been experiencing depression and / or anxiety symptoms (these are super common, you are not alone), you might like to take along the MENO-D survey to show your GP that what your feeling does not require anti-depressants, it requires peri or menopause support. The Meno-D was created by the one and only, incredible Professor Jayashri Kulkarni.

Step 3: When you get to your GP, know what you want. Be clear about your symptoms and the impact and then ask for what you want. If you’re refused Menopause Hormonal Therapy (MHT, previously known as HRT), ask why, ask the GP to document why in your file, and have a good discussion about what’s right for you.

• It might be helpful to let your GP know that MHT is the internationally recommended treatment for both Peri & Menopausal symptoms, this link may help: https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/risks-and-benefits-of-mht-hrt

• Find information about the types of MHT and recommended dosage here: https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/ams-guide-to-mht-hrt-doses

Step 4: Regardless of how your MHT chat went, request a full health check. This includes:

• A Pap Smear (I know, but it’s important)

• A referral for a Mammogram and an breast ultrasound (both methods are best).

• A referral for a Dexa scan.

• Full bloods, including Thyroid panel, Iron Studies, Folate, B12, Vitamin D & Cholesterol. While there is no blood test to ‘diagnose’ peri or menopause, a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test can be very helpful.

  If your MHT chat did not go as you expected. It’s totally ok to find another GP, you can find one on the Find a Trusted Health Professional page. Then, just request a copy of your bloods or tick the ‘Add to My Health Record’ area on the request form, so that your next GP can review the results. YOU KNOW YOUR BODY BEST.

Step 5: Want help? Come along to a For The Pause event or book time with Jess. You got this 💪