APPOINTMENT COMING UP

Appointment soon and can't recall a thing?

Your mind goes blank in the room. Here's a tick-list of what to note and bring.

TICK: PERIODS AND BLEEDING

Track your cycle changes

Periods closer together, further apart, lighter or heavier
The date of your last period
Any bleeding after 12 months with no period. The NHS says it needs checking

TICK: HEAT, SLEEP AND MOOD

Write down the daily stuff

Hot flashes or night sweats: when, and how long they last
Trouble falling asleep or getting back to sleep
Mood swings, anxiety or feeling more irritable
Memory or concentration slips

TICK: BODY CHANGES

Note the ones that feel awkward to say

Vaginal dryness, burning or itching, or sex that hurts
More UTIs, or needing to pee more, including at night
Joint and muscle aches, or headaches worse than usual
A noticeable or racing heartbeat

TICK: WHAT TO BRING

Details that shape the conversation

Any hormonal contraception, since it can blur the picture
Whether your symptoms have shifted over time
Family and medical history, plus what you prefer
On HRT in perimenopause? Note any irregular or heavier bleeding or spotting. The NHS says to talk to a GP if it's still happening after 6 months

Bring this to your appointment

Questions for your doctor

Could what I've noted point to perimenopause or menopause?
What are my options for the symptoms that bother me most?
Does my family or medical history change what suits me?

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As slides

Appointment soon and can't recall a thing?

Sources

NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
MedlinePlus: medlineplus.gov/menopause.html

General information, not medical advice.