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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment with your doctor.

  • Write down the symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including when you had your last period and any medical concerns you've had related to your reproductive health or to menopause.
  • Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
  • Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.
References
 
  1. Casper RF, et al. Menopausal hot flashes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
  2. Schorge JO, et al. The mature woman. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3158924. Accessed April 21, 2009.
  3. Menopause: Medicines to help you. U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Office of Women's Health. http://www.fda.gov/womens/medicinecharts/menopause.html. Accessed April 22, 2009. 
  4. Nathan L, et al. Menopause and postmenopause. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2002. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2393309. Accessed April 21, 2007.
  5. Manson JE, et al. Estrogen therapy and coronary-artery calcification. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356:2591.
  6. Herbal products for menopause. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp158.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2009.

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June 12, 2009

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