--- title: 'Talking to Your GP About Menopause: Where to Start' slug: talking-to-gp-about-menopause-what-to-ask lifeStage: menopause category: Wellbeing medicalReviewer: "Dr Rebeccah Tomlinson, Private GP Women's Health: Menopause Speciality" reviewerId: 'https://blog.bloume.com/menopause/medical-board.md#dr-rebeccah-tomlinson' lastUpdated: '2026-08-11' primarySource: 'Breast cancer: Risk factors' wordCount: 1290 readTimeInSeconds: 322.5 --- # Talking to Your GP About Menopause: Where to Start Whether you are already on hormone replacement therapy or managing symptoms without it, knowing how to get the most from a GP appointment can make a real difference. This article covers how to prepare for ongoing menopause conversations, what to ask at an HRT review, how to raise symptoms such as vaginal dryness or low libido, and which long-term health checks are worth discussing. It is here to support informed conversations with your GP, not to replace clinical advice. **Q: How often should I have an HRT review with my GP?** A: A review is usually suggested around three months after you start or change HRT, to check how it is working and whether any side effects have appeared. After that, a yearly review is the standard if all is going well. If your symptoms change or new side effects show up in between, contact your GP rather than waiting. Knowing how to approach a GP appointment about menopause can make a real difference to what you get out of it. It can be hard to know where to start, what to mention, and what to ask, especially when symptoms feel hard to put into words. Being prepared can help you leave with clearer answers and next steps. ## Preparing before your appointment If you are over 45, menopause is usually diagnosed from your symptoms rather than blood tests, because hormone levels shift from day to day and can give unreliable results. A written record of your symptoms, how often they happen, and how much they affect your day gives your GP a clearer picture than trying to remember everything on the spot. Bring this list with you. It is also worth asking the receptionist whether any GPs at the practice have a particular interest in menopause. Asking for a double appointment gives you time to work through more than one concern without feeling rushed, and writing your questions down in advance means you are less likely to leave something out. ## What happens at an HRT review and what to ask A review is usually suggested around three months after you start or change hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and then once a year if all is going well. It is a chance to check whether the treatment is working, whether any side effects have shown up, and what the plan looks like going forward. Your GP will probably check your weight and blood pressure while you are there. Useful questions to bring to an HRT review include: Is my current dose still right for me? Are there other forms, such as patches or gel instead of tablets, if I am getting side effects? Could local vaginal oestrogen help with specific symptoms? And what is the plan if my symptoms change? If your symptoms are not easing, or you are getting side effects, your GP may suggest adjusting the dose, changing the form of HRT, or adding other treatments. These changes are worked through together with your GP, so it stays a shared process. > **WARNING**: Get medical help straight away if you notice any of these while taking HRT: painful swelling in one leg, chest pain, sudden trouble with your speech or vision, or unexpected vaginal bleeding. Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department without delay. ## Raising specific symptoms that are easy to overlook Some symptoms are less likely to come up unless you raise them yourself. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) covers a group of symptoms affecting the vagina and urinary tract, including vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, and repeated urinary tract infections. Unlike hot flushes, these can get worse over time rather than settle, and they often respond to local vaginal oestrogen, applied directly with very little taken up into the rest of your body. Low sexual desire is another one worth bringing up. If it carries on despite HRT, your GP can talk through testosterone as an option. In the UK, testosterone products are not licensed for use in women and are prescribed off-label. This is usually started by a specialist rather than in primary care, so your GP may refer you if it seems right for you. ## If HRT is not right for you HRT does not suit everyone, and there are other options worth talking through with your GP. Non-hormonal medicines can help with hot flushes. For low mood in particular, your GP may discuss antidepressants as a way to target that symptom, though they are not a general swap for HRT. Talking therapy, specifically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is another approach that can help with sleep difficulties and low mood. A fuller approach to management also takes in everyday factors: what you eat, regular weight-bearing exercise, stopping smoking, and cutting back on alcohol all play a part in a plan built around you. You can ask your GP to help you work out which changes matter most for your situation. ## When to ask about a specialist referral If your symptoms are complex, standard treatments are not helping, or there are medical reasons HRT is not straightforward, your GP can refer you to a menopause specialist or dedicated clinic. This route exists, and you can ask about it directly if you feel your needs are not being met. ## Long-term health monitoring after menopause Menopause brings changes that reach beyond the symptoms you feel day to day, and these are worth raising at your annual review. After menopause, the drop in oestrogen raises the risk of heart and circulatory disease. Regular checks on your blood pressure and cholesterol are an important part of keeping an eye on this. HRT may be one part of a GP-led plan here, though it is not used on its own as a heart treatment and is best discussed alongside your overall health. Bone health is another area to bring up. After menopause, the risk of osteoporosis (bones that weaken and become more likely to fracture) goes up. Your GP can advise on diet, weight-bearing exercise, and whether HRT may be relevant for you here. A bone density scan may also be worth discussing in some cases. ## Keeping up with routine screening Menopause does not change how important the national screening programmes for breast and cervical cancer are. If you are on combined HRT, it is worth knowing this carries a small increase in the risk of breast cancer. That makes breast awareness especially relevant: get to know how your breasts normally look and feel, and tell your GP promptly about any changes. Your HRT review is a good moment to raise any questions about screening. If you are not sure where to start, bringing a written list of your current symptoms, any side effects, and specific questions to your next appointment is a practical first step. If you feel your concerns are not being heard, you can ask to see a GP with a special interest in menopause, or ask for a referral to a dedicated clinic. --- **Q: How often should I have an HRT review with my GP?** A review is usually suggested around three months after you start or change HRT, to check how it is working and whether any side effects have appeared. After that, a yearly review is the standard if all is going well. If your symptoms change or new side effects show up in between, contact your GP rather than waiting. **Q: What should I do if my GP does not seem familiar with menopause management?** You can ask the receptionist whether any GP at the practice has a particular interest in menopause and ask to see them. If your symptoms are complex, or you feel your concerns are not being addressed, you can ask your GP to refer you to a menopause specialist or dedicated clinic. **Q: Can testosterone be prescribed by my GP for low libido during menopause?** Testosterone can be considered for ongoing low sexual desire that has not improved with HRT, but in the UK testosterone products are not licensed for use in women. They are prescribed off-label and are usually started by a specialist rather than in primary care. Ask your GP about a referral if this is a concern for you. **Q: What long-term health checks should I be asking about at menopause appointments?** Blood pressure and cholesterol checks matter because the risk of heart and circulatory disease goes up after menopause. Bone health is also worth discussing, especially if you have risk factors for osteoporosis, and your GP can advise whether a bone density scan is right for you. Keep attending the national screening programmes for breast and cervical cancer whether or not you are taking HRT. ### Clinical Sources - [Breast cancer: Risk factors](https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/01-WHC-FACTSHEET-BreastCancer-NOV2022-C.pdf) - [What's the menopause got to do with bone health?](https://theros.org.uk/blog/whats-the-menopause-got-to-do-with-bone-health/) - [Menopause and your heart and circulatory conditions](https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/women-with-a-heart-condition/menopause-and-heart-disease) - [Understanding Menopause](https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MEN0921351544-005_Menopause-Support-Booklet-5-3.pdf) - [Nutrition for the menopause](https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/28-WHC-FACTSHEET-Nutrition-in-Menopause-JULY2023-A.pdf) - [Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms](https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/03-NEW-WHC-FACTSHEET-Complementary-And-Alternative-Therapies-NOV2025-B.pdf) - [Testosterone for women](https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/22-NEW-WHC-FACTSHEET-Testosterone-for-women-JAN2026-C.pdf) - [Urogenital problems ](https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23-WHC-FACTSHEET-UrogenitalProblems-OCT2023-B.pdf) - [NHS: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/) - [Benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/benefits-and-risks-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/) - [Talking to your GP about menopause: a five minute guide](https://www.bath.ac.uk/publications/talking-to-your-gp-about-menopause-five-minute-guide/attachments/menopause-friendly-talking-to-hcp-5-minute-guide.pdf) - [Talking to your GP about menopause: a five minute guide](https://www.bath.ac.uk/publications/talking-to-your-gp-about-menopause-five-minute-guide/attachments/menopause-friendly-talking-to-hcp-5-minute-guide.pdf) - [HRT Follow-up Assessments](https://patient.info/doctor/drug-therapy/hrt-follow-up-assessments) --- Reviewed by Dr Rebeccah Tomlinson, Private GP Women's Health: Menopause Speciality | [Medical Board](https://blog.bloume.com/menopause/medical-board.md) | August 2026