What You Need to Know About Menopause Care
Today I want to talk about something incredibly important, your menopause care and the role your GP plays in it.
If you’ve ever walked into your doctor’s surgery looking for answers, only to leave feeling dismissed, confused, or unheard, you’re not alone.
The truth is, many women in the UK are not getting the menopause support they need from their GPs and it’s not necessarily the GP’s fault, most just simply aren’t trained in menopause care and don’t know how to help you. That being said, that’s no excuse and not ok when 100% of women will have menopause at some stage and age in their life.
So, let’s dive into why this is happening, what you can do about it, and how to take back control of your health.
Why Are So Many Women Struggling to Get the Right Menopause Support?
Let’s start with some eye-opening facts. A staggering 41% of UK medical schools do not include mandatory menopause education in their GP training. That means many doctors graduate and enter practice without ever learning how to properly recognise, diagnose, or treat menopause symptoms.
When you walk into your GP’s office looking for help, they might only have 10 minutes to assess your situation, which isn’t nearly enough time to properly understand your symptoms and provide tailored advice. What’s worse, some doctors still hold outdated beliefs about menopause and HRT (hormone replacement therapy), leading to women being given incorrect or misleading information.
I hear from so many women who’ve been told things like:
❌ “You’re too young for menopause.” (Perimenopause can start in your late 30s!)
❌ “HRT is dangerous.” (Modern research and advancements in HRT shows it’s safe for most women and has massive benefits.)
❌ “Your symptoms are just part of ageing.” (They might be common, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer!)
So, if you’ve ever felt dismissed or unheard, know that it’s not just you, and most importantly, it’s not in your head.
Advocating for Yourself:
How to Get the Menopause Support You Deserve
If your GP isn’t giving you the answers or support you need, don’t lose hope. You can take action and ensure you get the care you deserve.
✅ Go in prepared – Before your appointment, write down your symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them, and how they are impacting your daily life. Be as specific as possible!
If you need a tool for this, download my FREE Perimenopause Symptom Assessment here
✅ Ask for a women’s health or menopause trained GP – Some practices have a GP with additional training in menopause. If yours doesn’t, you might want to consider seeking a private menopause specialist (ask me for guidance)
✅ Request HRT if you want to explore it – If you’re over 45 and experiencing menopause symptoms, you don’t need a blood test to get HRT prescribed. NICE guidelines are very clear on this. If your GP refuses without good reason, ask them to explain why and reference the NICE menopause guidelines
✅ Challenge misinformation – If your GP tells you that HRT is too risky or that your symptoms aren’t menopause-related, don’t be afraid to question them. Remember, you are allowed to seek a second opinion.
Menopause Care Is a Right, Not a Privilege
Menopause impacts every single woman, yet so many of us have been left to figure it out on our own. This has to change. The more we educate ourselves, share our experiences, and demand better care, the more we can shift the conversation around menopause health.
If this blog has resonated with you, please share it with the women in your life, your friends, your sisters, your colleagues. Let’s make sure no woman has to navigate menopause feeling unheard, unsupported, or alone.
And if you haven’t already, head over to The Menopause Coach podcast to listen to the full episode here.
You deserve the best possible menopause care, and I am here to help you every step of the way.
Until next time, take care and stay empowered.
With love and gratitude
Adele
The Menopause Coach & Educator