A good doctor is like gold dust.
A good doctor who understands the challenges of menopause is a miracle.
Trust me on this, I know. I found a miracle menopause doctor and it was a life-changer.
So when I hear stories like I heard yesterday, I get angry!
Menopause is an inevitable part of the female aging process but the lack of awareness and support available to ensure women are helped through one of the toughest periods in their lives leaves me speechless.
Just as you would not say to a depressed person “Just pull yourself together”, you do not say to a menopausal woman “Davina McCall has a lot to answer for”.
Yes, this is, unfortunately, a true story.
These words to someone searching for medical and emotional support to navigate the challenging symptoms of menopause is a crushing blow, to say the least.
Let’s back up a little….
The Beast Called Menopause
Menopause is not forgiving.
Menopause is debilitating
Menopause is not something you can ignore.
Menopause is life-changing
Menopause is hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, mood changes, aching joints, loss of libido, weight gain, bloating, dry skin, tiredness, and many more wonderfully obnoxious things that women endure midlife and beyond.
Most women need support, intervention, and at the very least an empathetic ear. The best-case scenario includes working with learned professional(s) to create an individualized program to manage the symptoms.
The last thing you need to face is a doctor that is beyond ignorant and dismissive when it comes to menopause. (And if that doctor is female – more shame on her!).
This story does not end there.
Apparently, (my friend was told), there is something called the Internet, an online resource that provides a plethora of information about this mysterious condition afflicting many women. Apparently, you can type into the search bar ‘menopause’ and find out all you need to know to help you. It would seem, according to this doctor, that this impersonal, cold, emotionless tool called Google, can supply you with all the information you need better than a real-life human face-to-face interaction.
I would seriously question her 7 years in med school!
I understand that of course, the net is a helpful tool but really, it is no replacement for the real deal. NEWSFLASH…women need empowering with strong advice and lots of options for how to move forward to tame the beast of menopause.
Luckily, we women are great communicators, we talk about things, we share and we support one another which is bloody brilliant and, to be honest, essential. Let’s keep that up ladies because it can be a lifesaver.
Women rock!
So, to my friend and anyone out there that is faced with an unempathetic, ignorant, and unhelpful menopause doctor, get rid! Find a doctor or healthcare professional that knows what they are talking about. This is your health. Your mental, emotional and physical health. Don’t settle for mediocre.
How To Find The Best Menopause Doctor
- Make finding THE BEST menopause doctor a priority.
- Do your research. Read reviews and ask your friends for recommendations.
- Trust your instinct. Don’t waste your time, if you don’t feel a connection, move on.
- Don’t be afraid to invest in a private doctor if you have to. You are worth it.
- Book a pre appointment call to vet them. Speak with several and assess which one is best for you.
- Don’t stop until you have found a miracle!
The Take Home: Menopause Doctor
Menopause is without a doubt challenging. However, given the correct support, advice, and intervention things don’t have to be horrendous. Adopt a mindset of ‘what would you do for your children? Right. You would move mountains to get the best of the best. Apply the same rules to yourself.
Get the best. End of.
