When you schedule a visit with a provider to discuss HRT to address your perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, there are two main pieces of information you need to bring to your appointment; your medical history and a list of questions to ask.
1. Medical History to Report at Your Visit
- Report all symptoms. Bringing in a list of symptoms is helpful. (Check out the blog on this website that lists the possible symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause. You can use that as a guide).
- Report pertinent family history (FH) including FH of cancers, cardiovascular disease and clotting disorders
- Reporting the onset, frequency and severity of all symptoms is helpful information.
- Report how you have felt on previous hormonal treatments like birth control pills (BCP) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
2. Questions to Ask at Your Visit
- Ask what the best treatment options are based on your age, personal medical history and set of symptoms
- Ask what to expect when starting the HRT, possible side effects and expected benefits
- Ask how long it will take for relief or improvement of symptoms
- Ask how the dosing is typically managed or monitored. Are changes mostly based on your symptoms and/or on blood or salivary lab test results?
- Ask about anticipated costs of the HRT, since you are likely to be on it for a while.
