How do I choose a doctor, and how do I go to the appointment?

5 min read Clinically reviewed · September 28, 2026 Updated: October 27, 2026 PerimenopauseMenopausePostmenopause

Summary

The most common disappointment women describe about menopause symptoms is not the symptom itself but the experience of "not being listened to, being brushed off, being told it's just my age". The reason is usually not ill will but the fact that menopause management was neglected in medical training for a long time. This article makes two things clear: how to reach which kind of doctor, and how to get the most out of the appointment.

What is happening?

In Türkiye, menopause management can be handled by several different specialties, and there is no single "correct" door:

Obstetrics and gynecology: The most common point of contact; HRT, assessment of bleeding and gynecological examination happen here. Some doctors have additional experience in menopause and urogynecology.

Endocrinology: Comes in when thyroid problems, diabetes, premature ovarian insufficiency or complex hormonal pictures are also present.

Family doctor: An accessible starting point for initial assessment, blood pressure, basic tests and referral onward.

Others: Psychiatry (if mood is the dominant problem), physical therapy (musculoskeletal), urology/urogynecology (urinary symptoms).

A good menopause consultation has a structure that is set out in the guidelines: the history of your symptoms, your menstrual pattern, your personal and family history of breast problems, clots and heart disease, your blood pressure and weight, and then discussing the options together. Routine hormone testing is not needed over the age of 45 ¹.

What do we know?

Shared decision-making is the standard: NICE and the Menopause Society recommend that every treatment decision, HRT included, be made together in the light of the woman's values, preferences and risk profile; a one-sided "this will be good for you" or "you can't have HRT" is not in line with the guidelines ¹ ².

What the doctor knows shapes the treatment: In many countries, doctors' training on menopause has been shown to be insufficient, and post-WHI fear persists; the gap between women's symptom burden and the proportion who receive treatment is largely attributed to this ². That explains why "is this doctor interested in menopause?" is such an important question.

Structured preparation works: A record showing when your symptoms occur, how often and how severely lets the consultation spend its time on the right question. Saying "8 months, on average 5 nights a week, and worse over the last 2" instead of "about a year, I think" changes the quality of the conversation. The symptom record and the appointment report in Lumia exist for exactly this.

What does this give you?

Facts to look for when choosing a doctor:

Whether menopause management is a regular part of their practice.

Whether they prescribe HRT, and which forms they work with (some doctors use tablets only, others also use application through the skin).

Whether they offer telehealth; the first consultation may be in person and follow-ups remote.

Appointment availability and location.

What to take to the appointment:

A symptom record for the last 2–3 months.

The last year of your menstrual pattern: date of last period, intervals, heaviness.

All the medicines and supplements you take.

Your personal and family history of breast cancer, clots, stroke, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Any previous test results (mammogram, bone density, blood tests).

During the consultation:

Start with the symptom that bothers you most; prioritize rather than listing everything.

"What options are there for this symptom, and which of them suit my situation?" is a question that opens the discussion up.

If you don't understand a recommendation, ask again; "why this and not that?" is a legitimate question.

It is normal to ask for time to think before deciding.

After the consultation: If treatment has been started, be clear about the date of your review and which symptoms you will be tracking. If you enter your medication regimen into Lumia exactly as your doctor wrote it, it will help you remember and not miss a dose.

If you felt brushed off: If your symptoms are affecting your life and you came out of the consultation without options, you have the right to a second opinion. That is not distrust of the first doctor; it is taking responsibility for your own health.

When to see a doctor?

The following do not wait for a menopause appointment; go to the first available doctor or to emergency care:

Any bleeding after menopause (after twelve months with no periods).

A new lump in the breast or discharge from the nipple.

Swelling in one leg, chest pain, sudden breathlessness — an emergency.

Thoughts of self-harm — get help immediately.

These signs should be assessed without delay.

Sources

NICE. Menopause: identification and management (NG23). 2015; updated November 2024.
The Menopause Society. The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement. Menopause. 2022;29(7):767-794.
Routes of access for menopause management in the Turkish health system (specialist appointments without referral, MHRS/e-Nabız, menopause clinics): confirmed by clinical adviser, September 2026.

What you can ask your doctor

Is menopause management a regular part of your practice?
Do you prescribe HRT where you think it appropriate, and which forms do you work with?
Will non-hormonal causes of my symptoms be considered too?
How do you plan follow-up appointments?

This content is for information only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The directory contains no opinions about doctors; only verifiable facts are listed. Talk to your doctor about decisions concerning your health.

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