Menopause treatment questions for an online GP

A real-time HerDoc GP consultation can include an individual decision about whether HRT or MHT is appropriate and whether prescribing can be managed through telehealth. It is not an automatic outcome; blood tests, records, an examination or follow-up may be needed first.

Yes. HRT means hormone replacement therapy, while MHT means menopausal hormone therapy. Australian menopause guidance commonly uses MHT, but many patients know the treatment as HRT.

Yes. You can discuss HRT or MHT questions during perimenopause, including symptoms, period changes, contraception needs and what you hope to improve. The GP will consider your stage of life and broader health before discussing an individual treatment decision.

HRT or MHT may be considered for symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes or vaginal symptoms. Whether it fits your situation depends on which symptoms affect you, your health history and the balance of possible benefits and risks.

The GP may ask about symptoms, period and bleeding history, current medicines, allergies, previous treatment and your personal and family medical history. They may also ask about breast or uterine cancer, blood clots, stroke, heart health, migraines, bone health and your treatment preferences.

Yes. Have your medicines and supplements handy, including anything recently started or stopped. The GP can consider whether a medicine may affect your symptoms or needs to be considered when discussing treatment options.

Not always. Many menopause treatment discussions begin with symptoms, age, period pattern and medical history rather than routine hormone tests. A GP may recommend testing when another cause is possible or when a result would affect the next step.

Yes. The GP can discuss possible symptom relief and bone-health benefits alongside blood-clot, stroke, breast-health and other considerations. The balance varies with the type and timing of treatment and your individual health history.

Yes. HerDoc GPs can provide non-hormonal menopause treatments when the doctor decides an option is right for you and can be managed through telehealth. You can also ask about lifestyle or behavioural approaches if you prefer not to use hormones or want to understand the full range of choices.

Sometimes. The GP may be able to recommend or prescribe treatment after assessing you during the first consultation. They may instead ask for blood tests, records, an examination or follow-up, or recommend a different option.

Yes. More than one conversation may be useful when you have several symptoms or questions, records need to be reviewed, or an examination or test would add information. Ask the GP what needs to happen before the next decision.

Follow-up depends on the treatment, your health history, symptoms and the plan you make with the doctor. The doctor may suggest continuing care or another consultation to review how you are going. Each HerDoc consultation has its own fee.

You can discuss non-hormonal options, lifestyle or behavioural approaches and whether another health professional could help. The GP can explain why a particular option may not fit and what other choices could be considered.

Face-to-face assessment may be needed for postmenopausal bleeding, very heavy or frequent bleeding, a breast or pelvic concern, or another symptom that cannot be adequately assessed online. The GP can explain what needs to be examined and how promptly.

A short HerDoc consultation costs $49 AUD and a long consultation costs $95 AUD. A new menopause patient will usually benefit from a long appointment, particularly when there are several symptoms, treatment options or health-history questions to cover. Each later HerDoc appointment has its own fee.