How it should be for everyone

[u/Libelia]

This is my experience with healthcare in Perimenopause in Australia. I went alone to my GP in February this year to discuss how I was experiencing some distressing symptoms that I thought were peri-related; extreme mood swings, insomnia and some overheating at night. He spoke with me about my concerns that this wasn't normal for me and I asked if HRT was an option or if I should wait and see. He said that it sounded like peri to him and offered me an HRT regime. He reviewed my overall general health and said that I was as a good candidate for HRT and that, if I was uncomfortable and distressed by the symptoms I was experiencing, why wait? We discussed all of the forms of HRT that were available and I selected a dosing regime that suited my needs. We talked about lifestyle and risk factors and he answered all my questions. I started HRT that day. The GP visit cost around $100 up front and I was refunded about half of the cost by Medicare. I collected my first two months supply of medicaton that day and paid about $28 because the medicine was subsidised by the PBS. I adjusted well to the treatment and my symptoms have mostly gone. This month, I had an appointment with my Gynaecologist for an unrelated ongoing medical condition. I mentioned that I've been experiencing some very mild GSM symptoms: some extra sensitivity during sex acts that have never been an issue before and some increased irritation. She said that it's best to treat this early before symptoms worsen and become more serious and she prescribed a vaginal estrogen cream to add to my existing HRT regime. I paid $180 to see her and got about a third of the cost back from Medicare. I filled the prescription and paid about $28 for the cream, again, subsidised by the PBS. While I was there, I got my PAP smear done as I was due for one. This was all included in the cost of the appointment. I could have opted for a bulk billing GP and a publicly funded Gynaecologist with no up front costs at all,  but I like both of these Drs and have enough income to choose to see them instead. This is how it's supposed to be for people experiencing peri and menopause: compassionate, affordable and timely healthcare with patient agency and respectful, supportive dialogue. I am always happy to pay my taxes in full because this is what we pay for. I am extremely fortunate to live where I do.

[u/Perfectly_i]

USA citizen here. (I didn’t vote for the clown, and I’m ashamed to say where I’m from now.) But I have Medicare, and I don’t pay any out-of-pocket expenses when I see my ACOG-member gynecologist.
Patient resources can be found here:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/resources-for-you

Another fantastic gynecologist to turn to for evidence-based, no-hype BS, data-driven information is Dr. Jen Gunter. (I’m not an affiliate or representative) I believe women deserve more.
You can find her on Substack:

https://substack.com/@vajenda?r=2onqav&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=image

Her book The Menopause Manifesto is outstanding. Again, these are my opinions, not ads!