Advocating for You:
Own Perimenopause Like a Boss
Take Control Over Your Perimenopause Like a Boss
Whether you’ve been struggling with perimenopausal changes for a while or just starting to notice things shifting, you have the right to quality healthcare. What does this mean?
- This means timely access to clear evidence of your health risks and treatment options in a way that you understand.
- This means feeling like a medical expert has listened to you and is trying to get to a solution that addresses who you are, what you need for your quality of life, and considering what you are comfortable with.
This should be easy right?
Meet Jennifer
Well, you know her already, or she is you, or a friend, sister, cousin, you know. Jennifer is 40 and was waking up every night soaked in sweat, her bedsheets so wet she could ring them out.
She was finding herself on the verge of crying at work during the day and short on patience with her teenage son Jack for things that typically rolled off her back. After dismissing it and putting it off for months, she went to her family physician.
During the visit, she explained her symptoms and felt apologetic for making an appointment and taking the doctor’s valuable time. The doctor validated her feelings by telling her she was likely just stressed and needed to consider some stress management resources.
When Jennifer asked about her situation possibly being menopause related, the doctor told her she was too young and still had her period. Jennifer left feeling unheard, dismissed, and like she was failing at the game of life.
Let’s work together to prevent any more Jennifers from happening...
1. Medical Gaslighting
While we have respect for the education and training physicians go through. Medicine can be more art than science, especially since most medical research has been on men and not women.
Know that perimenopause is real, educate yourself on the over 34 symptoms and start to be aware of your physical, sexual, emotion and mental health. Do not accept ANYONE dismissing your symptoms.
2. Good Girls Don’t Talk About Sex
You need to start to overcome the discourse and messages you have absorbed for decades about what is acceptable and not. Evidence shows that physicians are reluctant to raise sensitive topics such as sexual health and symptoms related to menopause [1].
This means you are going to have to be brave. If you have a sensitive topic you want to discuss, practice what you want to say in advance of your appointment.