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 gaslit and 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 antidepressant s. The consultant at the menopause clinic told me that as I wasn’t getting hot flushes or vaginal dystrophy she couldn’t help me. There was a male trainee GP in the room and a nurse. The consultant made me feel very small and silly, telling me it is just part of life and would pass eventually. She told me to go for more walks and again offered antidepressants.

I complained and her boss hinted that it was not the first time a woman had complained. I did some digging and found out she is famous for gaslighting. 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.