Endless POFibilities -- September 1999

Q & A of the Month

Question (from Karen):

"Does anyone have any ideas as to how we can educate doctors to check the hormone levels of all women who are having hot flashes or long or erratic periods?"

Answer (from Kristi):

"My suggestion is that we each give or at least urge our DR's to get a subscription to our newsletter as well as giving him/her the address to our WebSite and info on (or a gift of) the tapes from last year's conference. When I was diagnosed, my Dr. gave me pathetic menopause literature with drawings of elderly, gray haired women on the front. I was 32. The first line of the literature read "You can still live out your remaining years productively..., etc." (Paraphrased). I almost burst into tears right then and there. He just said "Sorry, there is just no literature to give you for your condition." After this WebSite and newsletter was formed, I wrote him a letter and said, "THERE IS NOW! Look this up." I had to make it easy for him because I was his only POF patient (to my knowledge) and he had a huge practice. The only way to get most DR's to read, study and put the time into a condition that is such a small percentage of their practice is to lay it out there for them. Sad but true. So, again, I urge each of you to give all your DR's our Website and newsletter."

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