Thread by @MumbrianSpinner

*Stands on soapbox*
I've had too many recent discussions with women who are still being brushed off rather than actively cared for in their #menopause, by doctors who are either too disinterested or too inexperienced to feel confident to help.
It appears that, whilst keeping

appraised of current best practice in, say, chronic diseases, such as asthma and diabetes, because they have to, there are still far too many doctors sticking their fingers in their ears if a woman presents with clear symptoms of menopause. They may do a blood test or two,

and declare it inconclusive (on its own, it is not a satisfactory means of diagnosis, so of course it's inconclusive). Or they may find a minor deficiency, such as vitamin d, that they can declare is probably the cause (pretty much every person in the Uk is deficient in vit d,

especially after the winter, unless they take a supplement). A minor deficiency is not likely to give all/most of the symptoms of menopause, btw.
Menopause and perimenopause diagnosis is a jigsaw. Blood tests may be a useful part of that jigsaw, but they're only a part.

One must look at everything the woman is experiencing. Their age. Their family history. What is happening, how they feel, how others have perceived changes in them. Together, these factors can quite easily be pieced together to conclude that it is due to lack of estrogen.

Antidepressants are handed out left, right and centre to women instead of the very thing they actually lack.
If you feel you are suffering, please don't just thank the doc and leave.
And this is not just a message to women. Men/friends/family, make yourselves aware, too.

The woman in your life may feel she hasn't the fight in her. Hold her hand through this. Even if she's difficult. Sure, it might be tempting run and hide, and maybe she will sometimes want some space, but let her know you're there and understand. Read stuff.

Listen to podcasts. Be her advocate.
There were scare stories in the past about HRT and cancer that have hung around like a bad smell.
There are far greater contributory factors to cancer than HRT. Example? Obesity. What's really hard to do when you're menopausal? Lose weight.

Yes, it becomes harder to lose weight. Which contributes to the whole shit show of mental downsides to menopause. Which makes it harder to motivate oneself to lose weight. Oh what fun.
The benefits of HRT are not spoken of anywhere near enough.
As well as relieving the many

symptoms such as *draws breath*:
Hot flushes,
vaginal dryness & discomfort, insomnia, low mood, anxiety, night sweats, reduced sex drive (libido) problems with memory and concentration ("brain fog") and all that, it can decrease your risk of osteoporosis & heart disease.

Some studies show that we can LIVE LONGER if we take HRT. Yet so many of us are being fobbed off with herbal supplements and SSRIs. It's ridiculous!
Yes, some women suffer far less than others. And if you want to and can do without, it's absolutely your choice. Obviously.

But never underestimate how much some women can lose of themselves for the want of this simple thing.
You will not get a medal for "getting on with it". You may, however, be bloody miserable.
If you've got this far, thanks for reading. ...

And, lasses, remember the words of Dylan Thomas.
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day"
I'll be raving until my last breath, clutching my estrogel tightly! 😂❤️