Clinician Discussion Guide - Preparing for Your Menopause Appointment

“In the multitude of counselors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14

Your body is changing, and you deserve to have your questions taken seriously.

Sometimes it can be difficult to remember everything you experienced during an appointment. This page gives you a simple place to gather your observations before speaking with your clinician.

You don't need to have all the answers.

You simply need to bring what you have noticed.

1. MY MAIN CONCERNS

The symptoms I most want to discuss:

1. ___________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________

When did I first notice them?

How often do they occur?

Have they changed recently?

2. MY SYMPTOM PATTERNS

Symptoms I have been experiencing:

☐ Hot flashes
☐ Night sweats
☐ Sleep difficulties
☐ Fatigue
☐ Headaches
☐ Dizziness
☐ Mood changes
☐ Anxiety
☐ Irritability
☐ Brain fog / concentration difficulties
☐ Joint or muscle aches
☐ Heart palpitations
☐ Vaginal dryness
☐ Changes in sexual desire
☐ Urinary changes
☐ Changes in bleeding
☐ Skin changes
☐ Hair changes
☐ Other: __________________________________

The symptom that affects my daily life the most:

How would I describe its severity?

☐ Mild
☐ Moderate
☐ Severe

3. MY SLEEP

Average hours of sleep:

I usually:

☐ Fall asleep easily
☐ Have difficulty falling asleep
☐ Wake during the night
☐ Wake earlier than expected
☐ Experience night sweats
☐ Wake feeling tired
☐ Other: _________________________________

How is poor sleep affecting my daytime life?

4. MY HOT FLASHES & NIGHT SWEATS

Approximately how often do I experience hot flashes?

When do they usually occur?

☐ Morning
☐ Afternoon
☐ Evening
☐ During sleep
☐ Unpredictably

Have I noticed possible triggers?

What seems to help?

5. MY MOOD & EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Recently, I have noticed:

☐ Increased irritability
☐ Anxiety
☐ Sadness
☐ Emotional sensitivity
☐ Feeling overwhelmed
☐ Loss of motivation
☐ Difficulty concentrating
☐ Mood changes
☐ Other: _________________________________

How are these changes affecting my relationships, work, responsibilities, or daily life?

Questions I want to ask my clinician:

6. MY MENSTRUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HISTORY

Date of my last menstrual period, if known:

My periods have recently been:

☐ Regular
☐ Irregular
☐ More frequent
☐ Less frequent
☐ Heavier
☐ Lighter
☐ Longer
☐ Shorter
☐ I have stopped having periods
☐ Other: _________________________________

Bleeding changes I want to discuss:

Important: Bleeding after menopause should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

7. MY MEDICATIONS & SUPPLEMENTS

Prescription medications:

Over-the-counter medications:

Vitamins or supplements:

Recent medication or supplement changes:

8. MY HEALTH HISTORY

Things I want my clinician to know:

☐ Previous surgeries
☐ Existing medical conditions
☐ Family health history
☐ Allergies
☐ Previous hormone use
☐ Previous reproductive health concerns
☐ Recent illnesses
☐ Changes in medications
☐ Other: _________________________________

Additional information:

9. QUESTIONS FOR MY CLINICIAN

Use this space to write down questions before your appointment.

Could these symptoms be related to menopause or another condition?

Are there other possible causes we should consider?

Are there tests or evaluations you recommend?

What treatment or management options are available?

What are the potential benefits and risks of those options?

Are there lifestyle changes that may help?

Are there symptoms that should prompt me to contact you sooner?

When should I schedule a follow-up?

What should I do if my symptoms become worse?

10. MY APPOINTMENT NOTES

Date: ______________________________

Clinician: __________________________

What I learned:

Recommendations:

Tests or evaluations discussed:

Treatment or management options discussed:

Follow-up plan:

11. BEFORE I LEAVE THE APPOINTMENT

☐ I understand what may be causing my symptoms.

☐ I understand what my clinician recommends.

☐ I understand how to use any recommended treatment.

☐ I know what side effects or warning signs to watch for.

☐ I know when to follow up.

☐ I know when I should contact my clinician sooner.

☐ I have written down any tests or appointments I need.

☐ I have asked the questions that were most important to me.

☐ I understand what my next step is.

12. WHEN TO SEEK PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION

Do not automatically assume a new or severe symptom is caused by menopause.

Seek appropriate medical attention for symptoms that are new, severe, sudden, persistent, or concerning.

Depending on the symptom, urgent evaluation may be appropriate for things such as:

Severe chest pain or pressure
Significant difficulty breathing
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Sudden weakness, numbness, confusion, or difficulty speaking
A sudden, unusually severe headache
Heavy or concerning bleeding
Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
New or severe heart symptoms
Any symptom that feels like a medical emergency

If you believe you are experiencing an emergency, seek emergency medical care.

13. MY HEALTHCARE TEAM

Primary care clinician:

Gynecologist:

Other healthcare professional:

Pharmacy:

Important phone numbers:

A FINAL REMINDER

You don't have to minimize what you're experiencing.

You don't have to be embarrassed by questions about your body.

You don't have to remember every detail perfectly.

Your symptom tracker can help you bring useful observations to your appointment.

Your clinician can help you determine what may be related to menopause, what may have another explanation, and what options may be appropriate for you.

Your role is to notice.
Your role is to ask.
Your role is to participate in your care.

And through it all, remember: