Be Empowered and Confident to be your own Health Advocate in Menopause

Too often, I read and hear stories of women feeling that they haven’t been heard by their doctor when it comes to menopause management. It’s really disappointing that sometimes women leave the doctor with a medication they are not happy with, no information or support to guide them and sometimes even nothing. The problem is that not all doctors have special interests in women’s health or menopause, and really, to solve the problem for ourselves the way forward is to become our own health advocates and gain the knowledge we need to manage menopause.

But how can we become our own health advocates and know how to navigate it?

Keep reading below for tips to increase your knowledge and confidence to manage your menopause and be empowered.

Gain an understanding of menopause and do some research

For most women, when they reach the perimenopause years, they have no idea what is happening to them. It is really important to gain some knowledge about the menopause years, and understand the stages and the symptoms. It’s always important to go to the doctor for a check up and rule out any other conditions that may be causing some symptoms, but be aware, that most often than not, a doctor will not do a hormone blood test as it is a snapshot in time and not very helpful. Menopause is really confirmed by symptoms. If you are unaware of the symptoms of menopause, grab my checklist and see if you are experiencing any of them.

Now, when I say do some research, you really need to ensure you get your information from reliable sources. These would be websites that specialise in menopause, such as the Australiasian Menopause Society and other credible, science backed sources such as medical websites.

Discuss your experience with your doctor

Being able to have an open discussion with your doctor is really important in being able to walk out of your appointment feeling like you have been heard and empathised with, and most importantly, walking with the treatment option that you are happy with. Before discussing treatment options, you will need to be across your medical history first, especially if the medical clinic does not have all of your records. Here are some simple ways that you can do to maintain your medical history yourself:

Collect all of your medical reports by getting copies from your doctor (if you don’t have them at home) and make a habit of asking for them from now on
Medical reports include blood test results, x-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound reports and anything else relevant, such as information sheets
Create a filing system at home just for your medical information, that way you have everything in one place with easy access when needed

It is always helpful when you have a baseline on your health and keeping reports over time allows you to see how your health is tracking over time. It also helps to keep you one step ahead with your health so that changes or treatments can be made early.

Questions to ask your doctor

When you start to notice changes and/or symptoms that you are unsure or concerned about, it is a really good idea to keep a notebook about what you are experiencing and also questions that you may want to ask when you visit your doctor. You don’t get much time in an appointment, and to ensure everything you are concerned about is addressed, take your questions with you. Whenever I see my doctor, I always start by saying, “I have 3 things that I want to talk about/ask/address today”, that way your doctor knows what to expect and you are making space for yourself to address them. Some questions that may be helpful in relation to menopause could include:

Do you specialise in menopause/women’s health?
What are my treatment options for menopausal symptoms?
Could my symptoms be something else?
Is how I’m feeling normal?
Could my medical history increase my risk of developing other conditions as I age?
How do I know if I’m approaching perimenopause?
What can you tell me about Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Can I take Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Do I need Hormone Replacement Therapy, or are there other options?
What sort of Health Checks should I be having? How often?

Remember, you are entitled to get a second opinion if you are unhappy with the outcome of your visit. This is really important, as I said earlier, too many women are not getting the help they need. You can find a doctor who has a special interest in menopause and women’s health here in your state.

Some more tips to help you be your own health advocate

Go in prepared and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand the answer, tell your doctor that. You can’t be an advocate for yourself if you don’t understand the information you’ve been given. Here are some more tips that should give you confidence with your doctor:

Make sure you are listened to – be firm and polite
If you have done some of your research first, tell your doctor and chat about it to get more insight into your situation
Ensure you don’t leave unhappy or confused – have the confidence to ask questions
Use a notebook to jot things down in case you forget
Ask questions and talk about your concerns
Have your medical history on hand, especially if you are at a new clinic

Remember, this is all about open communication with your doctor – so that you are giving yourself the opportunity to discuss your concerns, and giving your doctor the opportunity to serve you appropriately.

Another way to be your own health advocate is to do things needed to support your health outside of the doctor’s office. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and make that a priority in your day to day life. If you are finding the menopause years challenging, working with your doctor together with a nutritionist to help you manage in a holistic way will help you to manage your menopause better and find a healthy balance. Book a Free 15 minute Discovery Call to learn more.