Menopause support
Menopause symptoms and treatment questions
Menopause can affect periods, temperature, sleep, mood, concentration, sexual health and day-to-day life. A HerDoc GP can talk through what you have noticed, answer treatment questions and help you understand your next steps.
Can I talk to an online GP about menopause symptoms?
Yes. You can talk with a HerDoc GP online about menopause or perimenopause symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, sleep changes, mood, anxiety, vaginal symptoms and treatment questions. You may already have a particular question in mind, or you may want help working out where to begin. Either is fine.
Online GP appointments for women
Book online, then speak by phone with an AHPRA-registered Australian GP.
GP care that fits women's lives
HerDoc supports general health, women's health and life-stage concerns, where telehealth is suitable.
How it works
Book online
Choose an appointment time that suits you.
Speak with an Australian GP
Talk by phone with an AHPRA-registered doctor. Your GP can provide advice and, where clinically appropriate, discuss prescriptions, certificates, referrals, pathology requests or follow-up guidance during the appointment.
Often suitable for
- General health and mental wellbeing
- Women's health, menopause and perimenopause
- Medication advice and prescriptions
- Medical certificates, referrals and pathology requests
Not for urgent care
HerDoc is not for emergencies, crisis support or symptoms that need immediate hands-on care.
- Chest pain, breathing difficulty or severe symptoms
- Sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms
- Mental health crisis or risk of harm
- Symptoms that need a physical examination
For urgent or severe symptoms, call 000 or seek emergency care.
You do not need to be certain it is menopause
Symptoms can begin before periods stop, and they can look different from one person to the next. You might notice one clear change or several changes that have gradually started to affect your sleep, work, relationships or general wellbeing.
Your GP can consider whether menopause or perimenopause may be involved and whether another cause should also be explored.
- Hot flushes or night sweats
- Changes in periods
- Sleep disruption or tiredness
- Mood changes, anxiety or difficulty concentrating
- Vaginal dryness, bladder changes or changes in sex drive
- Headaches, aches, pains or other changes you are trying to understand
Explore menopause topics
Notice the pattern and the impact
It can help to notice when symptoms began, how often they occur and what they interrupt. For example, hot flushes may happen occasionally or several times a day, while night sweats may wake you or leave you tired the next day.
You do not need a perfect symptom diary. Have a few details handy about your period pattern, the symptoms that bother you most, current medicines and any important changes in your health. The GP may also ask about previous treatment, pregnancy or contraception where relevant, and your personal and family medical history.
Ask about treatment options in your own words
You may already want to ask about HRT, also called menopausal hormone therapy or MHT, or you may want the GP to explain the different ways menopause symptoms can be managed. Either is a reasonable place to begin.
A HerDoc GP can assess your symptoms and health history and discuss HRT or MHT, non-hormonal options and lifestyle or behavioural approaches with you. The consultation can include an individual treatment decision, including whether prescription treatment is appropriate. Sometimes blood tests, records, an examination or follow-up are needed first.
Blood tests are not the starting point for everyone
There is no single blood test that confirms natural menopause for everyone. For many people over 45, symptoms, period changes and medical history provide the most useful information. Tests may be considered when symptoms begin younger, periods cannot be used as a guide, another cause is possible or the GP needs more information.
You can ask directly whether testing would help in your situation. The blood-tests page explains this question in more detail.
Leave with your main questions answered
Before the appointment, think about what would make the conversation useful for you. You might want to understand whether symptoms could be menopause-related, how different options compare, what to track or what should happen next.
- Could something else be contributing to these symptoms?
- What options can we discuss for the symptoms affecting me most?
- Would an examination or test add useful information?
- What changes should prompt me to seek medical help sooner?
- How should I follow up if symptoms continue or change?
When to seek urgent care
Call 000 for severe chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, stroke signs, fainting, severe bleeding, immediate danger or other severe and rapidly worsening symptoms.
- Bleeding after 12 months without a period
- Very heavy or frequent bleeding
- Persistent night sweats with fever, unexplained weight loss, cough or localised pain
FAQs
Can I talk to an online GP about menopause symptoms?
Yes. You can talk with a HerDoc GP about possible menopause symptoms, how they are affecting you and what you would like help understanding. The GP can consider your symptoms, period history, medicines and broader health before discussing next steps.
What menopause and perimenopause symptoms can I discuss online?
You can discuss hot flushes, night sweats, period changes, sleep disruption, tiredness, mood or anxiety changes, difficulty concentrating, vaginal dryness, bladder changes and changes in sex drive. You do not need to decide whether the symptoms are menopause-related before the appointment.
Can menopause cause hot flushes and night sweats?
Yes. Hot flushes and night sweats are common during perimenopause and menopause, although flushing and sweating can have other causes. The dedicated symptom page explains what they can feel like, what to track and when to arrange medical review.
Can menopause affect sleep, mood or anxiety?
Yes. Sleep, mood and anxiety can change around perimenopause and menopause, and hot flushes or night sweats can make sleep more difficult. These concerns can also have other causes, so use the dedicated sleep and anxiety pages for more focused questions.
Can I discuss HRT or MHT with an online GP?
Yes. A HerDoc GP is an appropriate clinician to discuss HRT, also called menopausal hormone therapy or MHT. The GP can assess your symptoms, history, medicines and preferences and explain whether HRT, another treatment or further assessment may be appropriate. The appointment may include an individual prescribing decision, but no particular treatment is promised before assessment.
Do I need blood tests for menopause symptoms?
Not always. Menopause is often understood from symptoms, age, period pattern and medical history, while tests may help in some circumstances or when another cause is possible. You can ask the GP whether testing would add useful information for you.
What should I prepare before a menopause consultation?
Have your main symptoms, when they began, your period pattern and your current medicines handy. It can also help to think about which symptoms affect you most and what you want to understand by the end of the appointment.
Can an online GP help if I am not sure whether symptoms are menopause-related?
Yes. You do not need to identify the cause before speaking with a GP. The GP can talk through the pattern, consider other possible explanations and discuss whether an examination, tests or another next step may help.
When do menopause symptoms need in-person or urgent care?
Arrange prompt medical assessment for postmenopausal bleeding, very heavy or frequent bleeding, or persistent night sweats with fever, unexplained weight loss, cough or localised pain. Call 000 for severe chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, stroke signs, fainting, severe bleeding or immediate danger.
What does a HerDoc menopause consultation cost?
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 or treatment questions to cover.