THINKING ABOUT HRT?
- The Menopause Mentor
- May 17
- 3 min read
THINKING ABOUT HRT?
Here Are 5 Things You NEED To Tell Your Doctor
Perimenopause and menopause can feel incredibly confusing.
One minute you feel fine… the next you’re exhausted, anxious, irritable, struggling to sleep and wondering why your body suddenly feels so different.
And when it finally comes time to speak to your GP about HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), many women walk into that appointment completely overwhelmed.
They forget symptoms.
Minimise how bad things really feel.
Or leave feeling unheard and unsupported.
The truth is — preparing properly for that conversation can make a huge difference.
I’m Emma — The Menopause Mentor — and I help women make sense of the confusion surrounding perimenopause and menopause through realistic, evidence-based support.
So if you’re thinking about HRT, here are five really important things to discuss with your doctor.
1. Track Your Symptoms Properly
One of the biggest mistakes women make is saying:
“I just don’t feel right.”
While that feeling is completely valid, your doctor needs as much information as possible to build a clear picture of what’s happening hormonally.
Perimenopause symptoms can affect almost every system in the body — not just temperature regulation.
Write your symptoms down before your appointment.
This might include:
Mood swings
Anxiety
Sleep problems
Brain fog
Joint aches
Hot flushes
Heart palpitations
Exhaustion
Migraines
Low libido
Dry skin
Recurrent UTIs
Heavy periods
Weight changes
Loss of confidence
Many women are shocked to realise just how many symptoms may be linked to hormonal fluctuations.
Keeping a symptom diary for a few weeks beforehand can help you spot patterns and communicate more clearly during your appointment.
2. Explain HOW Your Symptoms Are Affecting Daily Life
This part matters more than many women realise.
Doctors are not only looking at symptoms themselves — they also need to understand the impact those symptoms are having on your quality of life.
Tell them honestly if you are:
Struggling at work
Feeling constantly overwhelmed
Snapping at loved ones
Losing motivation
Unable to sleep properly
Feeling anxious or low
Avoiding social situations
Finding exercise harder than before
Feeling unlike yourself
Women often downplay their struggles because they think they should “just cope.”
But menopause symptoms can significantly affect emotional wellbeing, relationships, confidence, work performance and overall health.
You deserve to be honest about that.
3. Talk About Changes To Your Cycle
Many women wrongly assume they cannot be perimenopausal because they are still having periods.
But hormone fluctuations often begin years before periods stop completely.
Even subtle cycle changes can provide important clues.
Tell your doctor if your periods have become:
Heavier
Lighter
More painful
Closer together
Further apart
Irregular
Shorter
Longer
Randomly missing
These changes can all indicate hormonal shifts associated with perimenopause.
And remember — blood tests are not always reliable for diagnosing perimenopause because hormone levels fluctuate constantly during this stage of life.
Symptoms and cycle history are often far more important.
4. Know Your Medical History
Not all HRT options are the same.
Your doctor will need to understand your wider medical history to determine which type of HRT may be safest and most appropriate for you.
Be prepared to discuss things like:
Migraines
High blood pressure
Family history of breast cancer
Clotting disorders
Cardiovascular risk factors
Current medications
Previous surgeries
Smoking status
This does not automatically mean you cannot use HRT.
It simply helps guide the safest approach for your individual circumstances.
For example, some women may be better suited to patches or gels rather than tablets depending on their medical history.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Advocate For Yourself
This is a big one.
Unfortunately, many women still leave appointments feeling dismissed, rushed or unsupported.
If that happens, please remember:
you are allowed to ask questions.
You are allowed to request follow-up support.
You are allowed to seek a second opinion or speak to a menopause specialist if needed.
You deserve to feel listened to.
You deserve proper information.
And you deserve support that looks at the whole picture — not just a list of symptoms.
Menopause care should never be about “just putting up with it.”
Final Thoughts
HRT can be life-changing for some women.
For others, different approaches may feel more suitable.
The important thing is having informed, supportive conversations and understanding your options properly.
Perimenopause and menopause are not simply about “getting older.”
They are major hormonal transitions that can affect both physical and emotional health in very real ways.
And you do not have to figure it all out alone.
If you’d like more realistic, science-backed support around hormones, nutrition, movement and menopause wellbeing, you can explore my coaching and support services on The Menopause Mentor Website
🎥 Watch the video
You can also learn more through The Menopause Mentor Podcast or join my supportive online community through the Meno-Method.
Love and light,
Emma x
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