Menopause & perimenopause
My doctor says I’m not menopausal. So now what?
Q: I was on your website and did the Hormonal Health Profile. Well, my results weren’t very encouraging — I fell in the severe category. The support I give myself is considered seriously inadequate and the demands I place on my body are almost overwhelming. Those are the results the profile gave me.
What I need to know now is how to get my doctors to listen to me when I say something is wrong. They tell me having a hormone blood test is a colossal waste of money, and as long as I am still getting my periods I am NOT menopausal.
I am being treated for depression, and I have tried telling them the symptoms have gotten worse lately and that nothing they give me for it is working. It is quite upsetting that no one seems to be listening to me when I ask if I am perimenopausal. I certainly feel imbalanced. So how do I get tested?
A: Every woman should feel she is being listened to and heard when she visits her healthcare providers, and we hope you will come to a better understanding with yours. If not, you may need to seek another practitioner who is willing to listen to you and work with you toward symptom reduction and wellness.
Many doctors are trained within a paradigm where perimenopause is under-recognized and true menopause is fully acknowledged only once the big changes are more or less all over with!
Your health symptoms can tell you a great deal - possibly more than any tests could. We encourage you to continue to honor them. You may be interested in reading our article on perimenopause for a more thorough understanding. You may even want to print this article and take it with you when you go to see your provider.
Our Personal Program is designed to help provide women just like you with the core foundation they need to restore balance during this time of transition. Our Nurse–Educators are here to listen and guide you on a one-to-one basis with additional support measures tailored to your unique situation. If you’re interested in learning more, give us a call .
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Our Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to call us toll-free at . We're here to listen and help.
We’re always happy to welcome new patients to our medical clinic in Yarmouth, Maine, for those who can make the trip. Click here for information about making an appointment.
Original Publication Date: 10/12/2006
Last Modified: 08/17/2009
Principal Author: Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician