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Talking
to Your Healthcare Provider - Menopause Check List
The
following questions will help guide your discussion on perimenopause
and menopause with your healthcare provider. Check off all the points
that apply to you and take this list with you when you consult your
healthcare provider
Medical History
Important to Hormone Therapy
Do you have
a family history or are you experiencing any of the following:
__ currently
pregnant
__ vaginal bleeding
__ blood clots
__ liver disease
__ gall bladder disease
__ cancer (breast, endometrial)
__ stroke or heart attack in the past year
Symptoms Associated with Menopause
To determine if you are menopausal, your healthcare provider will
carefully make an assessment of your current symptoms and administer
a thorough physical examination.
Are you experiencing
any of the following symptoms?
__ irregular
menstrual periods
__ hot flashes (sudden warm feeling, sometimes with blushing)
__ night sweats (hot flashes that occur at night, often disrupting
sleep)
__ vaginal dryness
__ fluctuations in sexual desire or response / decreased libido
__ difficulty sleeping / insomnia
__ fatigue (probably from disrupted sleep patterns)
__ urinary tract infections or painful urination
__ stress incontinence (leaking of urine)
__ headaches
__ heart palpitations
__ mood swings (anxiety, irritability)
__ forgetfulness
__ diminished concentration
__ hair coarseness/loss
Experience and Expertise: Questions for your healthcare provider
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How
many women in my age group do you treat? What percentage does
this number represent of your total practice? |
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Are
you comfortable treating perimenopausal and postmenopausal women?
If not, can you refer me to a colleague who is? |
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Do
you consider yourself up-to-date on treatment options for perimenopausal
and postmenopausal health concerns, including hormone therapy
and other medical therapies? |
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