System around menopause needs change.

Summary: System around menopause needs change.

I was let down by various GP’s when I was going through early onset menopause. I was put on antidepressants, then referred to a gynaecologist who put me on Zoladex which I’m pretty sure will cause me osteoporosis but I was desperate to alleviate the panic attacks ruining my life. This was during Covid. Then I moved and changed GP, went for several blood tests and suffered terribly but they wouldn’t give me HRT as I was “too young”. Finally my blood test results showed “the fastest drop in levels I’ve seen” said one GP and was put on HRT. I had always been sensitive to progesterone and again suffered terribly with the different forms on this in HRT. The GP finally referred me to the Menopause Clinic. I waited 18 months to be seen and had to do my own research in between, trial and error with different forms of HRT with no support. My marriage broke down in between so I was again just offered antidepressants. The consultant told me that as I wasn’t getting hot flushes or vaginal dystrophy they couldn’t help me. There was a male trainee GP in the room and a nurse. They told me to go for more walks and again offered antidepressants.

They told me I would be out back on the waiting list for another consultant. It’s been 2 years since then, I am still waiting. I have been fully menopausal for 3 years now and had absolutely zero support.

The whole system around menopause needs changing. I know more women starting earlier and their symptoms are nothing like the “experts” say.

* Healthwatch Sefton has made changes to protect the anonymity of the author.
*This review contained information which may be regarded as libellous and has been changed by Healthwatch Sefton prior to it being published