| Bone Health | |
When I described my symptoms of night sweats, fuzzy thinking, irregular periods, weight gain, moodiness and skin changes to my doctor, she immediately took a blood test to check my FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and hormone levels. The FSH results confirmed that I was indeed in menopause. My FSH level was 84 (normal levels are 3-20 mlU/ul, levels of 30 or higher signal that your body isn't producing enough estrogen to maintain regular ovarian function). A little shocked that I was so far into menopause, I made another appointment with my doctor to discuss treatments. I had actually learned to live with severe menopause symptoms. I was lucky to have a great doctor and I have always been aggressive in communicating with her. But I neglected to share all the information she needed to prescribe the perfect hormone therapy. It took almost a year of trying different options from prescribed hormones to bioidentical hormones to natural options to wanting to survive the whole ordeal with no treatment at all until I discovered that prescribed hormones worked best for me. Communicating with your doctor is important. You not only have to give them all the information they need to hit a home run with your treatment, you must also be informed of the different options available. Don’t just expect your doctor to have the perfect solution. It will take a team effort to successfully manage your menopause. If your symptoms are not being properly treated, a second opinion is crucial. Follow the 10 Tips below, and bring the information to your next doctor’s appointment. Use this information as an outline to have a thorough conversation with your doctor. Menopause can be a complex transition to treat. The more information your doctor has including your feelings about hormones, bioidenticals, and natural remedies, the better the odds are that your menopause symptoms will be treated correctly. Print out and complete these 10 Tips and bring them to your next doctor’s appointment. 10 Tips on How to Talk to the Doctor about Managing your Menopause 1. Make a list of your personal medical history: everything from getting your wisdom teeth pulled to appendicitis to pregnancy to varicose veins. 2. Make a list of your all genetic concerns: cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, gall bladder disease, allergies, diabetes. 3. Make a list of your current symptoms: irregular periods, memory lapses, night sweats, hot flashes, breast tenderness, mood changes, bleeding, itchy skin, dry vagina, fuzzy thinking, depression, cravings (sugar, alcohol). Track these physical and emotional symptoms in a daily journal. Document when they started, when they happen, how severe, and what triggers them. 4. Write down all recent medical issues and physical concerns: high blood pressure, diabetes, ear and dental health, eye vision, skin issues, if you smoke, what your exercise habits are, are you sleeping, are you still interested in sex, or are you experiencing high levels of stress. Fluctuating hormones may affect a number of other conditions. Do not be embarrassed to share your most secret concerns. You are paying this doctor to help you. 5. Do your own research on hormones, bioidenticals, and natural remedies. Read last months article. How do you feel about hormone replacement therapy? Bioidenticals? Natural remedies? Would you prefer to do nothing and hope your symptoms pass quickly? 6. Ask the doctor if your personal or genetic medical history will influence your treatment choices. Does breast cancer run in your family? Are you interested in hormone therapy? You and your doctor must make the appropriate hormone decision: Which hormones? What dosage? How long? And investigate other treatment options as well. 7. Discuss having a blood test (FSH and hormone levels) and confirm that you are indeed in one of the stages of menopause. If you have a blood test, make sure you follow up and get the results. 8. Discuss other medical testing you may need at this stage of your life: such as bone density screening, mammograms, and/or a colonoscopy. 9. Make a list of ALL medications and vitamins you are currently taking. 10. After you discuss your medical history, testing, treatment options, current medications and decide on a course of action; make sure you ask you doctor about side affects, benefits, risks, how long you should take your treatment and when to stop. Also discuss your risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis and if you still need to practice birth control. |
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