Menopausal, perimenopausal, not sure, come join me!

[Ruby]

I've got a telephone appointment today, allegedly, to discuss HRT. I have already had a nightmare trying to get through to anyone and I have ridiculously high anxiety about doctors as every time I go, someone tells me I'm fat as if I don't already know that. I have looked up the NICE guidelines in order to steel myself.

[Luna]

Is it worth throwing money at it to see someone private who specialises in women's health Ruby? Bypass the standard GP route (who aren't experts anyway)

[Marth]

Yes, good luck, Rosa. It's good to hear that it was good for you, Dizzy.

I can't get my hrt. I've got another chemist to try later today but it's looking very unlikely

[Ruby]

Is it worth throwing money at it to see someone private who specialises in women's health Ruby? Bypass the standard GP route (who aren't experts anyway)

I'll see. I'd rather not as I'm not exactly flush with money but it's something I'd consider.

[Dutchie]

That was one of the procedures that they tried but was a no go.

Ah, that's a shame! Wonder what they'll come up with at your next appointment. I remember someone telling me years ago that she had a hysterectomy vaginally - sounds ideal to me but I've never heard it from anyone else (and she was mad as a box of frogs).

[ParisGal]

My MIL (then about 70) had a vaginal hysterectomy here in France and while she is not one to share much of her medical history, from everything I could see she recovered very well, and ten years later is still actively gardening etc etc.

[Squirrel]

That’s good to hear PG.

My op will be April / may and will be done vaginally. I’ve got some other medical stuff going on as well and I’m keeping everything crossed that it doesn’t delay things.

[dizzyd]

I paid to go private for my gynae appointment as I wanted a particular surgeon who specialised in endometriosis and keyhole surgery but had the operation on the NHS as back then he just opened his diary and said these are my NHS dates when can you take time off work.
So it was just the one appointment private and from there it was all NHS

[Ruby]

Ok, so I finally has a phone consultation with a doctor. She says if I get a new Mirena coil then I can have Estrogen only HRT. So now I just have to strap in and get a new coil My first battle will be getting to the top of the Mirena waiting list. I mean... FFS. I might see if I can get that done privately.

[Duophonic]

That's good news, not on the coil waiting list but still

I was offered the coil too and just go on patches but I explained I don't have a great track record with anything in that region and really didn't want it so I'm on capsules.
Mr D managed to get my prescription filled for me today.

[sally maclennane]

I refused a Mirena too, my GP suggested it for heavy bleeding but I struggle with smears so there's no way I'm going for a coil. Plus if you have any issues with it, you can't exactly jusr whip it out! She gave me the mini pill instead which has worked fine.

I'm still thinking I should get HRT, my sleep hasn't been great lately,

[Ruby]

Yeah. I have well documented issues with having my fanny looked at so I am not exactly keen myself.

[Marth]

I found the coil insertion pretty ok. I liked not having periods as well. I did have spotting for ages though.

I'm going to have it out soon as I want to see if I am still having periods or not. Very unlikely I suppose, given my age

[Ruby]

Will you have to have progesterone hrt then as well, Marth?

[Marth]

Will you have to have progesterone hrt then as well, Marth?

Yes. I do at the moment in tablet form as I want to get the coil out, and am also trying the higher progesterone dose because I sleep so badly.

[kiwi]

Good luck Puby. I have to say I have never tolerated the idea of anything like a coil up my foof so I understand your reluctance.

I went for my blood test today with the nurse (mainly for the old woman check up they do) and she is sending off for the hormone test. We bitched about how ridiculous it is that we have to prove something that is patently obvious and that a man would never have to do so blah blah, so I will wait and see what the results are. I do have a sort of personal connection with one of the doctors at the surgery which I will use if I have to, but it really shouldn't have to get to that point.

[Ruby]

It's absolute bollocks that you need to have a blood test, Kiwi. I am raging on your behalf.

[Marth]

Nowhere has my HRT. I have written to Thangham.

[Dutchie]

Why are you all having so much trouble getting your HRT? Is that another Brexit thing?

My most hated menopause symptom has been my hair loss. I haven't been blessed with thick hair as it is and for the last couple of years I've been losing so much of what I have that you can see a lot of my scalp when I tie up my hair. It was making me feel really miserable. After some research, I found supplements from the US that I can buy from a Dutch hair loss webshop. They got great reviews and I am pleased to say that I have now added my glowing review to their site! I have so much less hair loss now and I have thicker/more hair too. Lots of baby hair growing along my hair line as well, so it should get better and better. I am so pleased and relieved as I was envisaging being bald in the next couple of years!

[Luna]

That’s great. Losing hair is such a worrying and stressful thing.