Good Morning.
My name is Diane Danzebrink and I run Menopause Support which offers education, information, advice and support to women and their families who are struggling with the symptoms of menopause. I am regularly being told by women that their doctors are refusing to prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Some doctors say they don’t agree with it, others say they think it doesn’t work, some say it just delays symptoms, some say their practice does not prescribe it. I have heard of women incorrectly informed that they are not eligible as they suffer from migraines or smoke etc. I have also counselled women incorrectly prescribed (oestrogen only for a woman who still has her womb)
I realise that the guidelines set out very clearly to doctors what they should be doing but many are not following them and a shocking amount have never heard of them and certainly not read them. Please advise what rights a woman has when her doctor is refusing to prescribe HRT to her in situations similar to those described above. I realise of course that there are some medical conditions that would preclude HRT but I am referring to otherwise healthy women just hoping to ease menopause symptoms. Please also advise what can be done to increase the awareness and implementation of the guidelines amongst health care professionals.
I would be very happy to discuss any of the above either via telephone or in person and if there is anything that menopause support can be involved in to further the awareness I would, of course, be very happy to help.
I look forward to your reply.
Kind Regards
Diane Danzebrink
www.menopausesupport.co.uk
Good Morning.
My name is Diane Danzebrink and I run Menopause Support which offers education, information, advice and emotional support to women and their families who are struggling with the symptoms of menopause. I am regularly being told by women that their doctors are refusing to prescribe HRT. Some doctors say they don’t agree with it, others say they think it doesn’t work, some say it just delays symptoms, some say their practice does not prescribe it. I have heard of women incorrectly informed that they are not eligible as they suffer from migraines or smoke etc. I have also counselled women incorrectly prescribed (oestrogen only for a woman who still has her womb) and in the last couple of weeks have spoken with women who have been shouted at and laughed at by their doctors when wanting to discuss menopause and HRT.
I realise that the NICE menopause guidelines set out very clearly to doctors what they should be doing but many are not following them and a shocking amount have never heard of them and certainly not read them. I have campaigned the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to look at the curriculum and improve the depth, breadth and quality of teaching in this area to medical students and I am told a review is now going to happen. I would be very grateful for some advice on how women can talk to doctors who refuse first line treatment, far too many are suffering in silence or incorrectly prescribed antidepressants. Please advise what rights a woman has when her doctor is refusing to prescribe HRT to her in situations similar to those described above. I realise of course that there are some medical conditions that would preclude HRT but I am referring to otherwise healthy women just hoping to ease menopause symptoms. Please also advise what can be done to increase the awareness and implementation of the guidelines amongst health care professionals.
I would be very happy to discuss any of the above either via telephone or in person and if there is anything that menopause support can be involved in to further the awareness I would, of course, be very happy to help.
I look forward to your reply.
Kind Regards
Diane Danzebrink
www.menopausesupport,co.uk