Your perimenopause GP appointment: a practical checklist

When you book the appointment

Tell the surgery you want to discuss possible perimenopause symptoms. Ask whether a clinician has a particular interest in menopause and whether a longer appointment is available if you have several concerns.

If it would help, ask about bringing someone with you. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust recommends preparing notes and considering support from someone you trust.

Use the appointment you can get; do not wait for a perfect diary or a particular clinician if you need help now.

What to bring: your appointment checklist

• A brief timeline. When did you first notice changes? Which are getting worse or happening more often?
• Your main symptoms. Put the two or three that affect you most at the top, with an example of what they stop you doing.
• Period notes. Include dates, changes in flow or timing, and whether your cycle still seems regular.
• Medicines and supplements. Bring the names, including contraception, HRT if you already use it, and anything bought without a prescription.
• Relevant health history. Note existing conditions, previous treatment and family history you want to mention. Ask the GP which details matter.
• Your questions. Write them down rather than relying on remembering them during the conversation.

You can use these headings in a notebook or print this page. Keep the notes somewhere private; you do not need to send medical details to me.

The preparation is consistent with Mersey Care’s appointment advice and the NHS introduction to discussing HRT with a GP.

Explain the effect on your day

A list of symptoms is a start. A short example helps explain why you need support. You could use this structure:

“Since [rough date], I’ve noticed [change]. It happens [how often] and it’s affecting [sleep, work or another part of life]. I’m wondering whether it could be perimenopause, but I’d also like to understand what else could cause it.”

This is sample wording, not something you need to read out exactly. If you lose your train of thought, hand over your notes or say that you have written down the things you did not want to forget.

If your periods are still regular, include that too. My guide to symptoms with regular periods explains why the full picture matters.

Questions to ask your GP

Choose the questions that fit your concerns. There is no need to get through all of them in one appointment.

1. Could these changes be related to perimenopause, and what other causes should we consider?
2. Would any tests help in my circumstances? What would the result tell us?
3. Which options could help with the symptoms that are affecting me most?
4. Is HRT an option for me? How do my health history and preferences affect the benefits and risks?
5. If I do not want HRT, or it is not suitable, what alternatives could we discuss?
6. Does my current contraception need reviewing?
7. What changes should prompt me to contact you sooner?
8. When and how will we review the plan?

The NHS treatment guide outlines hormonal and other options. Use it to prepare questions, not to choose a prescription on your own.

Will I need a blood test for perimenopause?

Not necessarily. NICE says that otherwise healthy people aged 45 or over with recently started hot flushes or sweats and changes to their cycle can be identified as perimenopausal without laboratory tests. Testing may be considered in younger people or to investigate other possible causes.

Ask what a proposed test is checking. Equally, if no test is recommended, ask how the clinician is assessing your symptoms and what the plan is. The useful question is what will help explain and manage the changes you have described.

Before you leave, check the next step

Write down what you have agreed: any tests or treatment, what to expect, who to contact with concerns and when to follow up. If something is unclear, ask the clinician to explain it again in plain language.

If a concern has not been addressed, say so specifically: “I understand the plan for the hot flushes, but I’m still worried about the bleeding. What should I do about that?” Do not assume a symptom has been assessed just because it appeared on your list.

For a wider reference, my menopause handbook includes appointment guidance and a printable symptom tracker. If symptoms are affecting your job, there is also a separate guide to asking for support at work.