I mainly feel hopeless about the medical community. I've been with my GYN practice for over 20 years. The GYN I am seeing next week is my age and was there for the delivery of my son. He's got a great rating and great bedside manner but when it comes to menopause issues, I just feel like they don't want to really think about it. There is a "menopause specialist" about 40 minutes from my home that gets good ratings. Used to be a regular OB/GYN but I guess as she has aged, she has changed interests. Appears she used bioidentical hormones which I hear are "the thing" to be using. Drawback: does not take insurance and charges a boutique fee. Same for finding a doctor to treat this skin condition I have (female parts related). Only two in the area and they are both cash only. One charges $1500 for the first visit. Unbelievable. So, I'm trying to work with my GYN as much as I can at first. I've *never* found a decent GP here either in my 20 or so years. It's really just a shame. I don't think it's me either. I've heard complaints from others where I live. So that's really where my hopeless feelings come from; I feel like I can't even get to the right person.
I feel like some doc's don't take it seriously. When I told my primary care about my symptoms that I thought could be peri menopause, she just kind of shrugged and said, "sounds like it." I think more docs should be educated so when women in their forties have symptoms, and there are TONS of them, they can guide them better. It's almost like they don't want to talk about it or give it any attention. Just be quiet and get through it.