What should I do if my doctor dismisses my symptoms?

On Ep. 375, Nikkiey says most women are told their symptoms are just part of aging or probably stress, and she wants you to refuse that. As she puts it, these symptoms are often tied to hormone fluctuation, and there are evidence-based options worth discussing. Her suggestion is to open with something like: I'm noticing symptoms I haven't had before, and I think they may be related. Then bring your questions. She adds that if a doctor shuts down a conversation about HRT without engaging the current evidence, she would personally push back, and in her opinion, look for a physician who is up to date.

If your doctor still won't run the tests, Nikkiey says direct-to-consumer labs or a functional medicine company are options. You are allowed to change doctors and get second opinions, and you are allowed to say: I hear you, but I am not okay.

On Ep. 130, Esther Blum says some of her clients bring research to their appointments and ask to try a treatment for three months. If a provider won't engage, she suggests calling a compounding pharmacy in your area to ask which hormone-literate doctors send prescriptions through them, or searching ifm.org, then confirming the office prescribes bioidentical hormones. She notes this is often out of pocket. Whatever you decide, make it with a doctor who listens and works with you.