These strategies can help you get your questions answered when you talk to your doctor about perimenopause/menopause.  

1. Pick a doctor who will listen to your concerns and honor your preferences.  
2. Be prepared. Set your agenda for the visit. Make a written list of your symptoms and questions with the most important ones first. 
3. Share your symptoms and questions list at the beginning of the visit.   Your doctor may see something that is low on your list that they think is important.
4. Use the My Menoplan tool and print it. Show it to your doctor to guide the discussion.  
5. Be clear about your goals for the visit. For example – “I came today because I’m having hot flashes that are keeping me awake all night. I’m getting really grumpy. I want to talk about my options.”
6. Bring along a friend or family member who can help you review what was said. 
7. Take notes or ask the person with you to take notes. 
8. If the conversation is going to be complex, ask to record it. Most smart phones have a record option. This is a great way to be sure you get all the information. It may surprise your doctor, but they should be open to this. 
9. Repeat back what you heard – “OK, so you are saying hormones are not a good idea for me”. 
10. Ask for a written after-visit summary.
11. Find out how you can see your medical record in the patient portal. The record has your test results, diagnoses, treatment plans, summaries of your visits and medications. 
12. If your questions aren’t answered in one visit, schedule another – or: 
13. Keep the conversation going. Email your questions or let your doctor know your progress using the patient portal.  For example – “I’ve on been on this medication for three weeks and I don’t see a change”.