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How to Talk to Your GP About Menstrual Health | with Dr Clare Spencer
Do you ever walk into a GP appointment and forget half of what you wanted to say? Or wonder whether your symptoms are "bad enough" to mention? You are not alone — and this episode is here to change that.
In this Lunch & Learn session, Henpicked's Sally Leech sits down with Dr Clare Spencer — GP, women's health specialist, and menopause expert — for a frank, empowering conversation about how to get the most from your GP when it comes to menstrual health.
Whether you're dealing with heavy bleeding, cyclical mood changes, suspected endometriosis, or PMDD, Dr Clare cuts through the jargon and tells you exactly how to prepare, what to say, and what questions to ask.
Together, they explore:
- What "normal" actually looks like when it comes to periods — and why it varies so much from person to person
- The moment you should stop putting up with symptoms and seek help
- How to keep a menstrual diary and why tracking two full cycles can transform your appointment
- How to describe your symptoms clearly — without needing to know the medical terminology
- The questions you should always ask your GP about diagnosis, investigations, and treatment options
- What to expect if you're referred to a gynaecologist — and how to advocate for yourself along the way
- A deep dive into PMDD: diagnosis, the role of antidepressants, HRT, and the Mirena coil
- Why conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and PCOS (now known as PEMO syndrome) are often undertreated — and how to push for the right care
- How to find the right GP for women's health, including Women's Health Hubs
Your symptoms are valid. Your quality of life matters. And you do not have to suffer in silence.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- NAPS (National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes): pms.org.uk
- The PMDD Project: thepmddproject.com
- Cycle tracking apps mentioned by listeners: Clue, Harded, Cycles, Moody, Stardust
The Henpicked Podcast is brought to you by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace — the team behind the Menopause Friendly Accreditation. We're on a mission to create workplaces where everyone experiencing menopause and menstruation can thrive.
