Right, rant incoming, sorry in advance. Saw my GP last month about the flushes. Told her I was waking up soaked through twice, sometimes three times a night, that I'd had to start keeping a change of clothes next to the bed like some kind of sweaty Girl Guide. She said "it could be stress" and referred me for a blood test that apparently tells her nothing useful at this stage anyway. Sent me off with a leaflet. I've got another appointment booked and I am NOT leaving without a proper conversation this time. I've been writing stuff down, flush times, how bad the sleep disruption is, how it's affecting my concentration at work, because I figure if I turn up with actual evidence she can't just wave me out the door again. What I genuinely don't know is how to ask about HRT without sounding like I've already diagnosed myself off the internet (I have, but still). Like, is there a way to ask about patches versus gel without her getting defensive? I don't mind which form I end up on, I just want to know what the options even are. Does anyone else find GPs weirdly cagey about explaining the difference? Also on a completely unrelated note I've started eating a lot of cold cucumber and yoghurt things for lunch because hot food at my desk is now genuinely unbearable 😂 if nothing else perimenopause is improving my salad intake. Any tips for the appointment gratefully received x