St Mary's Surgery
SM
Sara M. one year ago • From Google
Bad
Be warned: if you're dealing with menstrual or hormonal health concerns, you'll need to be your own advocate. This experience epitomizes the shocking lack of understanding and research surrounding hormonal issues. Initially, I consulted a pleasant but seemingly uninformed physician about my severe PMS (previously diagnosed as PMDD) and was prescribed a contraceptive pill via phone (which they later attempted to modify after presumably researching). Unconvinced, I requested a consultation with a doctor specializing in hormonal health or perimenopause and was assigned to Dr Semrau-Boughton. Having tracked my PMS symptoms for seven years and extensively researched the topic, I found the consultation deeply frustrating. The doctor spent half our time attempting to distinguish between depression and cyclical symptoms (despite my clear explanation), was patronizing when I inquired about natural ovulation's long-term health benefits, dismissed alternative approaches, provided confusing HRT information ("if you're taking HRT, you might as well take the pill"), discouraged comprehensive blood testing, and flatly denied PMDD's existence ("PMDD, PMS, just rearrange the letters"). She ultimately presented only one option: the contraceptive pill, with no mention of alternatives like the Mirena coil, and even sent a beginner's PMS guide afterward! Medical literature often includes chapters about self-advocacy against dismissive doctors—this interaction perfectly illustrates why. Given PMDD and menopause symptoms' serious nature, this approach is dangerously inadequate. I've found more meaningful support through specialized medical talks, resources like The Menopause Charity and Menopause Support, and connecting with women experiencing similar challenges.
Keith T.