Love this! 👏🏽 As a patient advocate—especially for those navigating menopause—I see way too many doctors get offended when patients ask questions.
When I share recent research, new tests, or other options with my clients, often, their doctors push back. In those moments, I encourage my clients to simply ask: “What’s the downside you are concerned about?”
That one question often shifts the dynamic and puts the responsibility back on the provider to give an informative, thoughtful answer.
Thanks for weighing in and for advocating for patients! That is a great question to ask...so pointed and well said! I'll have to remember that the next time (because...there will be a next time, unfortunately...)
I see it every day in our community. Women show up with symptoms, only to be told it’s “just stress” or “just aging.” And yet the data proves what we feel: menopause care and midlife health are chronically under-taught and underfunded. No wonder so many of us leave appointments with more shame than solutions.
Thanks for your input...it's so maddening, isn't it? We need to be HEARD. And physicians need so much more education and awareness. Although there are inroads being made, it's not fast enough, in my opinion!!
I totally agree! It’s nowhere near fast enough. I really wish there were a lot more studies on both HRT and non-HRT options so we’d have some clearer, more definitive answers. Right now it feels impossible to make decisions confidently. Personally, I’m still on the fence about HRT because I hear so many positive stories, but the lack of recent solid research makes it hard to know what to trust.
Yes, unfortunately, HRT has had its ups and downs in findings, and it can be difficult to feel totally confident when making a decision. I hope you reach one that you are comfortable and confident with.
Love this! 👏🏽 As a patient advocate—especially for those navigating menopause—I see way too many doctors get offended when patients ask questions.
When I share recent research, new tests, or other options with my clients, often, their doctors push back. In those moments, I encourage my clients to simply ask: “What’s the downside you are concerned about?”
That one question often shifts the dynamic and puts the responsibility back on the provider to give an informative, thoughtful answer.
Thanks for weighing in and for advocating for patients! That is a great question to ask...so pointed and well said! I'll have to remember that the next time (because...there will be a next time, unfortunately...)
Sigh...!
The ability to listen is so important in choosing a physician.
I see it every day in our community. Women show up with symptoms, only to be told it’s “just stress” or “just aging.” And yet the data proves what we feel: menopause care and midlife health are chronically under-taught and underfunded. No wonder so many of us leave appointments with more shame than solutions.
Thanks for your input...it's so maddening, isn't it? We need to be HEARD. And physicians need so much more education and awareness. Although there are inroads being made, it's not fast enough, in my opinion!!
I totally agree! It’s nowhere near fast enough. I really wish there were a lot more studies on both HRT and non-HRT options so we’d have some clearer, more definitive answers. Right now it feels impossible to make decisions confidently. Personally, I’m still on the fence about HRT because I hear so many positive stories, but the lack of recent solid research makes it hard to know what to trust.
Yes, unfortunately, HRT has had its ups and downs in findings, and it can be difficult to feel totally confident when making a decision. I hope you reach one that you are comfortable and confident with.