First of all, it’s better to see the doctor than not. I know you don’t want to be a pain, especially as we’re still dealing with this pandemic — but many times leaving thing too long actually makes more work for the health service — and it only takes them 5 minutes to say “come back if it doesn’t improve” — and make sure you do!

But here are some specifics

These things should ring alarm bells.

Probably just more perimenopausal pandemonium, but not worth taking chances.

• If you bleed a year after you had your last period.
• If there’s blood in your urine or stool
• If you suffer from constant abdominal swelling or bloating
• If you check yourself for lumps, bumps, marks and moles and something’s off.
• If you’re changing your sanitary protection every couple of hours or more
• 
  

You could use your doctor’s support with any of these things

• If your period stop before you reach 45
• If your pain keeps you awake
• If your pain or any symptoms interfere with your life.
• If sex is painful or causes bleeding
• Incontinence of any kind.
• Periods that go on and on

You should also seek help from your doctor if

• You can’t cope with your symptoms
• The doctor thought it would clear up on its own and it didn’t
• The things that prescribed aren’t working or are causing side effects
• You are worried and need answers
• You aren’t satisfied with the answer you got last time
• 
  

The world is not the way it should be. Women do not always get the health support they need, sometimes with awful consequences. Never assume that something is just an inevitable consequence of menopause or ageing. Never feel you just supposed to put up with it.

This is not me saying ‘women should just speak up’. 

This is me saying it’s tough out there and please reach out for support if you need it.