2 years ago my MD sent me to an Internist. A female. She was also a gyno/OB before she became an internist. It was the begining of my worst depression/anxiety confusion/no sex drive/exhaustion of my life. She had an MRI done of my uterus and said I had several large cysts. Then she did a full hormone panel. She prescribed large doses of Prometrium and something else I can't remember. She told me the cysts could burst and be fatal. I had so much fear I nearly had a nervous breakdown. I took the Prometrium (large dose) and had one of the scariest reactions I have ever had to any medication. I scheduled an appointment with my regular OB/GYN who has seen me for 28 years and delivered all my children. He looked at my labs and ordered an ultrasound of my uterus to go along with the MRI. He reviewed the results and insisted I not only did not need to take Prometrium in large doses, but that the cysts would resolve themselves and to just not worry about it. I was so relieved. Here I am two years later and reading about bio identicals and having the horrible peri symptoms. I want help so bad but after that female doctor, who in the heck do I trust? My regular OB did a blood work up and said I was still ovulating and NOT in menopause. He gave me some iron pills and a prescription for xanax. Is there certain tests done by certain doctors to give me real answers? The female doc also told me my testosterone had bottomed out. What does that mean. Not that this should matter, but her body odor was so bad I could not breath during her exams. Also, she is from India....maybe they have different thoughts about treating women during this time of life. Who knows, maybe she just didn't know what she was doing.............EEEEEEEKKKKK!!! Who the heck do we trust for these issues?

Debra,

Out of sheer frustration, and doctor's lack of knowledge...I educated myself on hormones. Not that I consider myself any kind of expert, but my doctor's knew less than I did. Luckily they were sympathetic and willing to let me try things.

My next rung on the ladder is to try the testosterone, I think mine must be low. One of these days I really need to get that done....

Debra - your post is right on, even though you feel confusion. Women's health, in terms of Menopause, is in the pits. It's up to you to educate yourself and seek out medical professionals you feel comfortable with. It's also up to you to decide what kind of treatment (meds, natural, combo or nothing) will be right for you. For many it is a long and confusing road. For other women they seem to find the right doc, get the right level of meds and manage very well. Sometimes I think it is the luck of the draw.

I am 48 (very soon to be 49) and went 5 months without a period and then got one last month. So, I know I'm in Menopause territory. I have an appt with a reproductive endochronologist (not trying to get pregnant), but I want a doc that will work with synthethic hormones and that specializes in them.

I personally don't care if my doctor is male or female. It is not a guarantee you will find understanding with a female doc. This is one area you really can't go to the doctor and expect a straight answer after a few blood tests, especially if you are still having periods.

Don't get discouraged, brace yourself and educate yourself and then insist on what *you* want. But it just doesn't go away, meno is here to stay for quite a awhile.

Deb: Your story is almost hard to belief...except of course, I completely believe a doctor did this to you. I would have gone after her like a pitbull...written letters, confronted her...this was malpractice, nothing less.

The best way to find a doctor is word of mouth. Ask everyone...friends, family, co-workers. Who do they see? Who do their mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers see? And of course, if you know a nurse that works in a hospital, they are invaluable resources for doctor referrals. My aunt, who was a surgical nurse for over 40 years, could tick off on one hand the doctors that she trusted. And the stories she told were scary.

Sounds like you need a complete workup...I'm confused about why your regular doctor referred you to an internist. Do you like your primary care doc? Do you need referrals to see a specialist? I'd get another opinion from a gynceologist...and I'd also request a complete thryoid panel. If the results are funky, or even sub-clinical (right on the borderline of normal) then ask to see an endocrinologist.