You get about ten minutes with your doctor, and it is easy to freeze and forget half of what has been wrecking your weeks. So don't rely on memory. Tick what you're feeling, rate how bad it is, and note anything that stands out. Walk in with this in your hand — it makes you impossible to fob off, and it helps a good doctor help you faster.
| Symptom | Mildniggle | Moderatedisrupts | Severedaily life | How long / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature & sweats | ||||
| Hot flushes / flashes | ||||
| Night sweats | ||||
| Sudden chills / palpitations | ||||
| Sleep & energy | ||||
| Trouble falling / staying asleep | ||||
| Waking unrefreshed / exhausted | ||||
| Mood & mind | ||||
| Low mood / tearfulness | ||||
| Anxiety / panicky feelings | ||||
| Irritability / rage / mood swings | ||||
| Loss of interest / motivation | ||||
| Memory & focus | ||||
| Brain fog / poor concentration | ||||
| Forgetfulness / losing words | ||||
| Body & aches | ||||
| Joint & muscle aches / stiffness | ||||
| Headaches / migraines | ||||
| Weight changes / bloating | ||||
| Dry / itchy / crawling skin | ||||
| Hair thinning / dry eyes / dry mouth | ||||
| Periods & bleeding | ||||
| Irregular / unpredictable cycles | ||||
| Heavier bleeding / flooding / clots | ||||
| Vaginal, bladder & intimacy | ||||
| Vaginal dryness / discomfort | ||||
| Pain during sex / low libido | ||||
| Urinary urgency / leaks / repeat UTIs | ||||
| Anything else | ||||
If you say nothing else, say these. It tells your doctor where to start.
These started roughly: and affect my work / relationships:
Tick the ones you want answered. You're allowed to ask all of them.
Include anything over-the-counter, herbal or "menopause" branded — it matters more than you'd think.
A note from us: this checklist is a conversation-starter, not medical advice, and it can't diagnose anything — only you and your doctor can do that. It was built by the Her Honest Review editorial team and reviewed against widely-used menopause symptom scales. If a symptom frightens you or comes on suddenly, don't wait for an appointment — seek care.
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