Talk to Your GP
Many women leave GP appointments feeling unheard about perimenopause. Being prepared makes an enormous difference.
GPs typically have limited appointment time — often 10–15 minutes. Arriving prepared means you use that time well.
List everything you have noticed, including things that seem unrelated. Include when they started, how frequent they are, and how much they affect your daily life. Be specific — waking 3–4 times per night is more useful than sleeping badly.
If your periods have become irregular, note the dates and flow of your last 3–6 cycles. This helps your GP assess where you might be in the transition. An app or simple diary works fine.
Call ahead and ask for a longer appointment specifically about perimenopause. Many practices offer extended consultations, and some health systems fund them explicitly. Ten minutes is not enough for this conversation.
If you know when your mother or sisters reached menopause, mention it. Family history of early menopause, breast cancer, heart disease, or osteoporosis is relevant to treatment decisions.
Many women feel awkward raising perimenopause directly. You do not need to. Here are some ways to open the conversation:
If you think it might be perimenopause
“I have been experiencing [symptoms] and I am wondering if this could be perimenopause. I would like to understand what is happening and what my options are.”
If you have been dismissed before
“I have been struggling with [symptoms] for [time period] and I would really like to properly explore whether hormones could be contributing. I would like to have a thorough conversation about this today.”
If you want to discuss MHT
“I have been reading about Menopausal Hormone Therapy and I would like to know if it might be appropriate for me, given my symptoms and health history. Can we discuss the options?”
If you are unsure what is wrong
“I have not been feeling like myself. I am experiencing [symptoms]. I would like to check whether perimenopause could be contributing, and also whether we should rule out anything else like thyroid issues.”
Save this list to your phone and take it with you.
You are always entitled to see another GP. If your concerns are not being heard, seeking a second opinion is reasonable — especially for something as significant as perimenopause management.
You can ask your GP for a referral to a gynaecologist or a doctor with specific menopause training. This is a reasonable request.
Several national menopause societies maintain clinician directories — The Menopause Society, the British Menopause Society and the Australasian Menopause Society all have finder tools. These clinicians have completed specific menopause training.
NICE guideline NG23 is publicly readable and states that diagnosis over age 45 should be based on symptoms, not FSH testing. Citing a named guideline changes the tone of a difficult consultation.
imsociety.org — The global professional body. Publishes international consensus statements and maintains links to national member societies worldwide.
menopause.org — Formerly NAMS. Its 2022 hormone therapy position statement is one of the most widely cited references in the field, and it has a clinician finder.
nice.org.uk — The UK national guideline on menopause identification and management. Freely readable, and the source of the guidance against routine FSH testing over age 45.
thebms.org.uk — Practical, regularly updated tools and patient factsheets, including clear summaries of hormone therapy risks and benefits.
indianmenopausesociety.org — Regional guidance and clinician directories relevant to South Asian women, where average menopause age is typically earlier.
ams.asn.au — Well-regarded plain-language patient information sheets and a Find a Doctor tool for menopause-trained clinicians.
Remember: this guide helps you prepare for a medical conversation — it does not give medical advice. Your GP is the right person to diagnose, investigate, and recommend treatment for your individual situation.
Want to learn more first?
Our symptom library and topic guides will help you go in well-informed.