What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause Menopause Treatment Options Talking With Your Doctor The Importance of Second Opinions Many women find it difficult to discuss menopause with doctors because they treat it as if it were a disease. Menopause is a naturally occuring event in a woman's life, it is not a disease. That is not to say that there are not symptoms of menopause, however. It is important to remember, however, is that what your doctor might not tell you about menopause is that it is not in any way a disease. There are some treatments that may assist you in coping with the various symptoms associated with menopause, however. Menopause Treatment Options There are a few different ways that women attempt to treat with menopause symptoms. You may have heard of some of them. One of the more common methods is HRT, also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy. This is used for relief of such symptoms as vaginal dryness or hot flashes. However, what your doctor may not tell you about menopause treatments is that there are certain risks with using HRT. Most doctors will inform you of any and all risks, but you should be aware that HRT has been shown to possibly increase the risk of getting heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots and stroke. Some women turn to other products such as herbal treatments as an alternative to HRT treatments. An unfortunate fact is, though, that the use of herbal remedies has not been fully researched. It is not known if these treatments are safe or if they work in the treatment of menopause symptoms. However, there is research currently ongoing in these fields. Until the science is fully in, it is best to always consult with a doctor before beginning any herbal regime. Here are some important things to keep in mind about herbal remedies: Herbs are not safe by default, and they could actually be more harmful than medical treatments. Some herbs can cause adverse side effects. If you are taking other medications it is possible that herbal remedies could interact negatively with them. Even if you are already taking herbal remedies, consult your doctor. Your doctor can discuss with you the best options and what is best for your health. Talking With Your Doctor What your doctor might not tell you about menopause is all the options that are available. Make sure you ask your doctor about any and all posible treatment options. You should also ask about what symptoms to expect and any possible side effects of treatments for menopause symptoms. Stay informed and know all of your options before you make any decisions regarding your health. Below are some helpful tips for talking with your doctor: Write out a list before hand of questions and/or concerns you might have. This way you have already thought out what you want to ask and what you want to make sure you learn about. You can review this list that you make while in the waiting room before you see the doctor. Be as clear as possible when describing your symptoms. This description should include when the symptoms started, things that might cause them to break out as well as whatever options you have taken in attempts to relieve these symptoms. Inform your doctor of any and all products that you have been taking. This should include prescription drugs, over the counter medications, herbal products, vitamins and any other supplements you might be taking. Don't be embarrassed, this is your doctor after all. Inform them about any relevant activity such as your diet, sexual activity, physical activity, use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, anything that might be relevant to your current symptoms. If you are currently or have been treated by other doctors, don't forget to inform your current doctor about this as well. There is no reason for embarrassment. This is a doctor, after all, and they have most likely heard anything you might tell them before. Also don't be afraid of the clock. It is your health that is important, and don't leave out any important information just because you feel like you don't have time. Tell the doctor everything she needs to know before leaving. If the doctor informs you further testing will be necessary, make sure you get all important information such as how long it takes to get results and how you can access the information. Find out any instructions you must follow to prepare for the test as well as any potential side effects. Ask your doctor about any medications she might give you. What your doctor might not tell you about menopause might be something very important. For any treatment options discussed, look at how much these treatments will cost, potential side effects of these treatments and how long these treatments will take before they are completed. With medicines, understand when you are supposed to take the medicine, how often you take it, how much you take at any time, what happens if you forget a dose, etc. You should also talk about how much this medicine costs as well as insurance options. You can also ask about alternative medications that might have the same effects, particularly generic brands. If there is something you don't understand, ask your doctor about it again before you leave. This is your body and your health, make sure you understand fully everything the doctor tells you before you leave so you can think about it properly at home before making a final decision. Have a close friend or family member accompany you. They can provide moral support, take notes as well as help you remember what was discussed during the visit. They can also ask questions of the doctor that you might not think of yourself. The Importance of Second Opinions What your doctor might not tell you about menopause is that it is often good to get a second opinion. Medical science is constantly advancing, especially in the world of menopause treatment. Different doctors might have different experiences and different knowledge about the menopause treatment field, and it is good to hear from more than one doctor about what you can do to cope with menopause symptoms. Even if you have a good relationship with your doctor and trust them, you might feel that it is useful to discuss the issue with another doctor just to find out if there are any other options that you should consider in menopause treatment. Some things to look for in getting a second opinion: Ask for a recommendation from your primary doctor about who to talk to about a second opinion. Don't worry, it's not going to hurt their feelings. If for some reason you don't think you can ask your current doctor about information on getting a second opinion, try contacting another doctor whom you trust. You might also consider contacting a medical university or a medical society for information on a good doctor you can talk to for a second opinion. Talk to your health insurance provider about the cost of a second opinion, and if the cost is covered at all. There might also be special procedures you must follow in order to get your insurance to cover a second opinion. Don't forget to make sure your medical records are sent to the new doctor before you see them. Before they can talk with you they need to be able to look over your records to see your history and avoid doing any sort of repeat tests. Remember some offices do charge to send a copy of records from one office to another. Find out as much as you can about menopause before going to see the second doctor. You can check out information on the internet, go to a local library, ask your current doctor for recommendations on where you can go to find out more. Going through all the information available can be difficult, but you can use it to help focus your thoughts on things you want to ask and discuss with your second opinion doctor. Talking to someone on the telephone or reading a web page on the Internet is not a second opinion. What your doctor may not tell you about menopause is not going to be found on the Internet or over the telephone. In order to get a second opinion you need to talk with a second doctor, in person. After discussing the issue with your second doctor, make sure they send a copy of the report to your primary care doctor and include another copy for your permanent medical records.