Menopause is having a moment. People are finally, finally talking about this thing that happens to all women (AKA roughly half the population).

But with all the information (and misinformation) about menopause suddenly everywhere, it can be hard to know what to believe. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider talking to your clinician about the changes you’re noticing in your body.

Even with a clinician we know and trust, it’s not always easy to find the guidance we seek. Too often we go confidently into an appointment ready to learn, only to walk out with our heads spinning — and full of more questions than answers.

The best way to avoid this frustrating experience?

Be prepared. We’ve put together a guide to help you have a more productive conversation with your clinician about menopause.

Gather your history

The more your clinician knows about your reproductive (and overall) health, the better they’ll be able to help you navigate menopause.

The current state of your menstrual cycle is typically the biggest indicator of where you are in your menopausal journey, said Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine.

A member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council, Minkin also hosts a highly informative and interesting podcast about menopausal health.

“Menstrual history is important, because if your period is coming every 28 days, it's highly unlikely you're perimenopausal,” Minkin said. “If your periods are becoming wacky, you're getting your period every three months, you're getting a period two weeks later … Now we're talking about menstrual stuff that goes along with menopause.”

Before your appointment, write down as much as you can about your menstrual history, including:

• How old you were when you got your first period
• Whether your cycles are regular
• How heavy your periods are
• If your periods have become irregular

You’ll also want to give your clinician an overview of your general medical history, including any history of cancer or other health problems. “For example, if you have thyroid disorders, that's important for your doctor to know about, because hyperthyroidism can give you the same kind of hot flashes and sweats as menopause,” Minkin said.

Your medical history may also be a factor when it comes to deciding on the best treatment for you. “As much as I love estrogen, I'm the first to acknowledge that it's not for every single person,” Minkin said. “For example, if you have a history of blood clots or gallbladder disease, that's important for your doctor to know.”

Minkin also encourages women to let their clinician know about any pregnancy-related health issues they may have experienced, including high blood pressure during pregnancy and multiple pregnancy losses. These can be clues to how your body may handle menopause.

Check in with family about their menopause experience

Once you’ve noted your personal info, it’s time to find out about the women in your immediate family. This includes your mom and your grandmothers, as well as aunts or older sisters.

Ask about their experience with menopause. If you can’t ask these people directly, see if anyone else in your family knows.

Research suggests menopause is linked to genetics, meaning the age your mom was when she got her last period may be a strong predictor of when you’ll get yours.

“If mom had menopause at age 35 and your aunt had menopause at age 40, does that necessarily mean you're going to do an early menopause? No, but it certainly is something I'm going to pay attention to and watch for,” Minkin said.

Track your symptoms

Your clinician will also want to know about any symptoms you’ve been having, so pay attention to how you’re feeling in the weeks leading up to your appointment.

In addition to keeping track of your periods, jot down other symptoms like hot flashes, achiness or sleep issues. They may not necessarily be related to menopause, but your clinician will help you understand them either way.

Bring a list of questions

Since our minds often go blank when given the opportunity to ask questions during an appointment, it’s good to be prepared with a list of questions.

Here are some general ones:

• What should I expect in terms of timeframe (how long perimenopause usually lasts, when you might reach menopause, etc.)?

• What are my treatment options, both hormonal and non-hormonal, for my particular situation?

• What are the risks and benefits of each treatment? (This is also a good time to let your clinician know what’s important to you when it comes to choosing a treatment.)

• How might menopause and menopause treatments affect my other health conditions?

• Will menopause treatments interact with any of the medications or supplements I’m currently taking?

• How will I know when a treatment is working, or when it’s time to consider a switch?

Don’t be afraid to follow up

It happens to the best of us — no matter how hard you try to take in what your clinician is saying during your appointment, you feel like you’ve forgotten half of it by the time you get home.

Don’t be afraid to reach out with follow-up questions. And be sure to let your clinician know about any concerns you have as you start a new menopause treatment, including whether it’s working as well as it should.

“Usually within a month you’ll notice a difference,” Minkin said. “Within three months, you’ll be getting the maximum benefit you’re going to achieve with this dose.”

The menopausal transition is definitely more of a marathon than a sprint. Regular contact with your clinician can help you both stay on top of symptoms before they become too troublesome.

Find the care you need

Does it feel like your clinician isn’t giving you what you need, no matter how well you prepare for your appointments? It may be time to switch clinicians.

Because not every clinician has training in how to care for menopausal women, the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) has created a search tool that helps you find a menopause-educated clinician in your area.

Minkin said the cultural shift in thinking around menopause has caused membership in the Menopause Society to mushroom, meaning you have more options than ever when it comes to finding a clinician who can help guide you through the transition.

“In the early 90s when the Society started, we had between 2,000 and 2,500 members,” Minkin said. “As of our meeting last October, we had 12,000 members.”

This educational resource was created with support from Astellas.

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