“Your doctor works for you, not the other way around.” – Leslie Duffy

Too many women walk out of their doctor’s office feeling dismissed, rushed, or even a little ashamed for asking questions about their symptoms. In perimenopause, when you’re already dealing with brain fog, exhaustion, and the stress of not feeling like yourself, those 15 minutes in the exam room can feel impossible to navigate.

Part of the problem is that most doctors were never trained in menopause care. They may be excellent at treating infections or acute conditions, but when it comes to the midlife transition, they’ve often had only a handful of hours of education. That means if you’re not prepared, your concerns can get brushed aside with “you’re just getting older” or another routine prescription that doesn’t address the root cause of the issue.

Today, I’m breaking down exactly how to talk to your doctor about perimenopause. You’ll learn five practical tips for preparing before your appointment, how to frame your symptoms to make them clear and specific, and a simple script you can use to ask about hormones without feeling awkward or getting dismissed.

I’ll also show you how to incorporate a symptom tracker, use language that resonates with medical providers, and co-create a plan instead of just following orders. You’ll walk away with the confidence to head into your next appointment prepared, clear, and empowered, plus the red flags that signal that it might be time to find a new provider.

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Your Takeaways

Why most doctors aren’t trained in menopause care and how that affects you

The prep that changes everything: bringing a short list and a symptom tracker

How to describe your symptoms so doctors actually understand their impact

Co-creating a treatment plan instead of blindly following prescriptions

When it’s time to seek a second opinion or fire your doctor

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Episode Resources

Episode 9 FREE Listener Guide https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/1744825064

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/9.

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Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

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