A doctor who listens is so rare

I’m in my early 40s and because of a myriad of symptoms that were affecting my quality of life lately I realised that I was hitting perimenopause. I had seen all my doctors, and even my obgyn, and yet none felt that I had anything serious going on.  It felt like I was looking for a doctor with a superpower – a doctor who listens. But a doctor who listens is so rare.  To honest I had been feeling lost for a couple of years.  Besides feeling lost, I felt neglected and as if doctors really just didn’t care for my health – mental or physical.

I got desperate and found a random obgyn online who had a lot of openings. My obgyn was booked out for several months and so hard to get into see.  So I thought well at least this new guy has openings. What blew my mind was that this doctor spent nearly an hour going through all my options thoroughly, answering all my many questions. He was so incredibly helpful and patient. He truly was a rarity – a doctor who listens is so rare.

I had had an intense burning sensation in my vagina for several months but any tests I had done come back normal. This new doc was really concerned about this and did an exam. He did some tests but told me he is going to try to help me figure it out. That solidarity and partnership with my doctor was something I just have not experienced before. Unlike other doctors I had seen, he didn’t tell me I was too young to be in peri and shared all about potential HRT therapy. Truly, a doctor who listens is so rare.

When I left his office – I cried from the sheer relief of having had someone listen to me. I guess I never realized how much I was getting frustrated and hopeless feeling that nobody cared. It felt like he actually cared.

I think in this case the solution was a younger doctor, more up to date with the latest research on menopause perhaps? I am not sure – I just wanted to share the relief because a doctor who listens is so rare.

BH, United States