Petition Update - Remove need for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood tests before prescribing Hormone Replacement Therapy

 

In April 2023 I opened a petitoin at the Scottish Parliament asking for them to remove the need for the FSH blood test in women aged 40-45 and diagnose menopause on symptoms. I also asked them to make menopause training mandatory. Unfortunately, the petition was closed on December 11th 2024. I feel it was not handled as well as it could have been,

Taking Back Control

 

The last few years have been really hard on my physically and mentally. Menopause has hit me like a ton of bricks. Palpitations/increased heart rate landed me in hospital convinced I was having a heart attack but all tests were normal. Hot flushes, joint and muscle pains and a list of symptoms as long as my arm started to emerge at a frightening rate. The doctors haven't listened and said I was too young. So with all those symptoms and being dismissed it has had a massive impact on my mood. Anxiety is the worst psychological symptom. It is off the scale. Sadly, this is the norm for many women going through menopause. After almost 3 years of symptoms, its time to take back control.

Midlife - Yikes

 

I turned 44 a few months ago and it really hit me that I am now classed as midlife.  When did that happen?! 

Menopause: Summer Hacks

 

The last few days have been so warm and as nice as it has been, if you are going through menopause, you may find your hot flushes increase. No-one needs that added warmth on a hot day (or at all).  So with summer well and truly on the go, I have compiled a list of what I do to get me through the sunny days.

Petition Update - Remove need for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood tests before prescribing Hormone Replacement Therapy

 

Last year I started a a petition at the Scottish Parliament asking them to consider removing the use of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test when diagnosing perimenopause/menopause. Due to this test being so unreliable, many women have been told, wrongly, that they are not experiencing menopause and are dismissed.  Left to struggle and suffer.  

Petitioning The Scottish Parliament

 

As you may know, I had to go private to get my perimenopause diagnosis and access HRT.  Trying to get my GP to listen was impossible. I was told I was too young but if I was 45 I would be given HRT without question (how does that make sense) Then I was told I would need a blood test to check hormone levels.  This is when things got really ridiculous.

Menopause

 

One day you are happily going about your business as normal and then all of a sudden you feel this rush of heat radiate throughout your body. You wonder if you are coming down with something but as quick as it came, the strange warmth has calmed down and everything is ok again.  Have you considered it could be the start of perimenopause?