Your appointment
Questions to ask your doctor
Organised by topic — choose the ones most relevant to your appointment
A ten-minute appointment can easily be spent describing symptoms and waiting to be told what to do next. The questions you ask determine whether you leave with clarity — about what is happening, what options exist, and what comes next — or with another appointment in three months. You won't use all of them in one visit. Pick the ones most relevant to where you are.
These items make your appointment significantly more productive.
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A record of your menstrual cycles — the first day of your last few periods, whether each was light, moderate, or heavy, and any that were significantly shorter, longer, or skipped.
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A symptom summary — which symptoms you have, how often they occur, and how much they are affecting you.
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A list of any medications, supplements, or treatments you are currently taking.
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Your questions, written down. Questions that are on paper get asked. Questions that are only in your head often don't.
Use these if you are not yet sure whether what you are experiencing is perimenopause, or if you have been told previously that it is not.
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Based on my symptom history and menstrual changes, could this be the perimenopause transition?
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You mentioned a blood test — what will it show, and what would a normal result mean in my situation?
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Current guidelines say perimenopause in women over 45 can be diagnosed from the clinical history alone. Is that approach being used here?
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If the blood test is normal, does that rule out perimenopause?
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Are there other conditions that could explain these symptoms, and how would we distinguish between them?
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Am I in early or late perimenopause — and does it matter for what we do next?
Use these once there is a working diagnosis, or if you want to understand what options exist before committing to anything.
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What are the treatment options for my symptoms, and what does the evidence say about each?
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Who is a good candidate for hormone therapy — and am I one?
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What are the risks and benefits of hormone therapy for someone in my specific situation?
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Are there non-hormonal options that are evidence-based for the symptoms I have?
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If I try a treatment and it doesn't work or causes side effects, what are the next steps?
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How will we know if a treatment is working, and over what timeframe should I expect to see a difference?
Use the questions in the areas most relevant to you.
Sleep
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My sleep has been significantly disrupted. Is this connected to perimenopause, and is there treatment specifically for this?
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I don't have obvious night sweats, but I still wake repeatedly. Is that still related to hormonal changes?
Mood and mental health
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Could the anxiety / low mood / irritability I've been experiencing be related to perimenopause?
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How do we know whether this is perimenopause-related mood change or depression — and does the distinction affect what treatment you'd recommend?
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I've been offered antidepressants previously for these symptoms. Is there a hormonal dimension worth exploring first?
Cognition
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My memory and concentration have noticeably declined. Is this something perimenopause can cause, and is it expected to improve?
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Should I be concerned about this, or is it part of the transition?
Periods and bleeding
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My bleeding has become heavier / more irregular / unpredictable. Is this expected, or does it need further investigation?
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Do I still need contraception? How do I know when I no longer need it?
Intimate health
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I've noticed vaginal dryness / discomfort during sex / changes in libido. Are there treatments for this?
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Are there treatments for vaginal and urinary symptoms that don't involve systemic hormones?
Physical symptoms
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My joint pain / fatigue / palpitations have worsened during this period. Could these be connected to perimenopause?
Use these if you feel your needs are beyond what a standard GP appointment can address.
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Is there a menopause specialist or gynaecologist you would refer me to if my symptoms are complex or aren't responding to initial treatment?
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Should I be thinking about bone health, cardiovascular health, or other long-term considerations at this stage?
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How often should we review my symptoms and any treatment I'm on?
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If I try a treatment and it isn't helping, when should I come back, and what would the next step be?
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If I feel my symptoms aren't being taken seriously, what is the right way to ask for a second opinion?
Some consultations end without clarity. If this happens, you have options. You can request a longer appointment where perimenopause is the stated focus. You can ask for a referral to a menopause specialist. Under Patientlagen — Sweden's Patient Act — you have the right to a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the assessment you receive.
The questions you can ask depend on what you know about your own symptoms. The Thea Klara survey maps your experience across all eight domains and produces a one-page appointment summary — so that you arrive with the symptom picture already structured.
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Delamater L, Santoro N. Management of the Perimenopause. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2018.
European Society of Endocrinology. Clinical practice guideline for menopause. Eur J Endocrinol. 2025.
NICE guideline NG23: Menopause — diagnosis and management. Updated 2019.
Thea Klara provides self-advocacy tools, not medical advice. This content has been written to help you understand and describe your experience. It is not a substitute for a conversation with a qualified healthcare professional.