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Diagnosis · 4 min

What to bring to your perimenopause appointment.

Two weeks of data, three sentences, and a referral request that actually works.

Dr. Maya Okonkwo
Reviewed by Dr. R. Chen, MD
4 min
Illustration · Eliza Park for HerClarity

Preparing for a perimenopause appointment

Use three tools together:

  1. A 2+ week symptom log so your clinician can see patterns.
  2. A written 3‑sentence opener to keep the visit focused on perimenopause.
  3. A targeted bloodwork list and referral request to rule out look‑alike conditions and, if needed, get to a menopause specialist.
Sources
  1. Harlow SD, Gass M, Hall JE, et al. Executive summary of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(4):1159–1168. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-3362.
  2. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Guideline Group on POI; Webber L, Davies M, Anderson R, et al. ESHRE guideline: management of women with premature ovarian insufficiency. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(5):926–937. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew027.
  3. The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2022;29(7):767–794. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002028.
  4. Greendale GA, Han W, Finkelstein JS, et al. Changes in regional fat distribution and anthropometric measures across the menopause transition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021;106(9):2520–2534.
  5. El Khoudary SR, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, et al. Menopause transition and cardiovascular disease risk. Circulation. 2020;142(25):e506–e532.
  6. Stuenkel CA, Davis SR, Gompel A, et al. Treatment of symptoms of the menopause: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(11):3975–4011. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-2236.
Written by
Dr. Maya Okonkwo
Internal medicine; ten years women's health, Internal medicine. Ten years in women's health.
Reviewed by
Dr. R. Chen, MD
OB-GYN; NAMS-certified menopause practitioner, Board-certified OB-GYN, NAMS-certified menopause practitioner.
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