Free Guide: Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Perimenopause

Sound familiar?

You finally got the appointment. You waited weeks for it. And somewhere between the waiting room and the exam room, everything you meant to say went quiet.

Maybe you mentioned that you're not sleeping. That your periods are doing something new. That you feel anxious in a way you never used to, or that you walk into rooms and forget why.

And maybe you heard some version of: "It's probably stress." "You're too young for that." "Your labs look normal."

So you went home with no plan, a little embarrassed for asking, and wondering if it really was all in your head.

It isn't. Perimenopause can start in your early 40s, sometimes earlier, and it shows up in more ways than hot flashes.

Most of us were never taught what this stage looks like, so we don't know what to ask. And when you don't know what to ask, it's easy to get waved off. That's what this guide fixes.

Is this you?

This guide is for you if...

You've been told it's "just stress," "just aging" or "all in your head."

Your sleep, mood or periods changed and nobody's connecting the dots.

You freeze up or forget your questions once you're in the room.

You want to ask about hormone therapy but don't know where to start.

You're tired of googling symptoms at 2am and getting ten different answers.

You want to be taken seriously, without having to fight for it.

Lorraine Kamesha, PharmD · Atlanta, GA

Why I made this

I took the long way to pharmacy. That's why I explain things the way I do.

Hi, I'm Lorraine. Pharmacy runs in my family. My mom is a pharmacist too. But I didn't get here in a straight line.

2010I got fired from a sales job and went back to school for pharmacy.
PrereqsI found out I was pregnant with twins.
Pharmacy schoolI went through a divorce and kept going.
2016I graduated with my Doctor of Pharmacy.

That journey taught me something I bring into everything I make: when life is loud, you need information that's clear, practical and doesn't talk down to you.

Today I spend my days reading labels and research, then turning it into plain language for more than 800,000 women in midlife. The question I hear more than any other is some version of "Why won't anyone take me seriously?"

So I built two things. The Change Notes, a free app to track your symptoms between visits. And this guide, so you walk into the room knowing exactly what to ask and what to say.

You deserve to be heard. This is how we make that easier.

The difference

Same appointment. Different outcome.

Without a plan

You forget half of what you wanted to say
Your symptoms sound vague, so they get brushed off
One normal blood test ends the conversation
You leave with no next step

With the guide

Your top 3 concerns come first, written down
Your checklist shows patterns your doctor can act on
You know what to say when you hear "your labs are normal"
You leave with a plan and a follow-up date

A peek inside

Notes, not guesses.

Guide page with perimenopause questions grouped by topic

The questions

Grouped by topic, from periods and sleep to hormone therapy and long-term health. Circle the ones that fit you.

Guide page with scripts for when you feel brushed off

The scripts

Exactly what to say when you hear "your labs are normal" or "you're too young."

The checklist

Fill it in before your visit so your doctor sees the full picture on one page.

Page by page

What's inside

Start hereQuick facts and a checklist for before your appointment
What to ask, part 1Is this perimenopause? Periods, sleep, mood, hormone therapy, long-term health
What to ask, part 2Vaginal and bladder health, body and joints, plus my PharmD medication and supplement questions
What to say6 word-for-word scripts for when you feel brushed off
My symptom checklistA printable page for your top concerns, how often and how much
Red flags and next stepsWhen not to wait, and what to do after your visit

Send me the guide

Questions

Before you download

Is it really free?

Yes. Enter your name and email and the guide opens right away. I'll also send a copy to your inbox so you can find it before your appointment.

I'm not sure I'm in perimenopause. Is this still for me?

Yes. The first set of questions is about exactly that: whether your symptoms could be perimenopause, and what else your doctor should rule out.

Does this work for telehealth visits?

It does. Keep the guide open on your screen and your checklist filled in before the call starts.

Is this medical advice?

No. It's education to help you have a better conversation with your own healthcare provider, who knows your full history.

Will you email me?

Yes, with plain-language tips about midlife health from me. You can unsubscribe with one click anytime.

Walk into your appointment prepared.