The Therapy Room with Rhu
Free menopause and andropause
symptom checkers
Tired of normal test results when you feel exhausted?
Tired, flat, not sleeping, not quite yourself, and everyone tells you it is just stress or just age? These two free checkers are here to help you notice what is going on and find the words for it, so that you can talk it through with your GP, pharmacist or health practitioner and feel heard when you do.
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One is for menopause and perimenopause. The other is for men, and covers what is often called andropause. Download either one, print it or fill it in on screen, and keep it private. Nothing is collected and there is nothing to sign up for.
How they work: Three steps
Tick whatever applies to you at the moment. Next to each one, jot down how often it happens and how much it bothers you. Then take it with you to your appointment. A rough picture is enough, and it does not need to be tidy.
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Why your notes matter
Hormone levels swing from day to day, so a single blood test often tells you very little, and a normal result can leave you feeling dismissed when you know something is off. NICE guidance says that for women over 45, a GP can usually recognise perimenopause from the symptoms alone. Walking in with your symptoms written down, and how often they happen, gives the conversation something solid to start from.
Menopause
For anyone in perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause, or wondering whether that is what is going on. It covers the symptoms everyone has heard of, like hot flushes and night sweats, and the ones nobody warns you about: dizziness, tinnitus, tingling, restless legs, dry eyes, and changes in your mouth, such as a dry or burning mouth, a different taste, sore gums and sensitive teeth. There is a space for the bigger picture too, like shift work, stress and sleep, and a page to fill in before your appointment.
Download the menopause checker (PDF)
Andropause
For men who are tired, flat, short-tempered or just not themselves, and have been told it is age or work. Many of these symptoms have other causes, including stress, poor sleep, extra weight around the middle and alcohol, and that is exactly why it is worth talking to a GP rather than guessing. It covers energy and drive, mood, sleep, body changes, sex and intimacy, and what else is going on in your life, with a page to fill in before your appointment.
Download the andropause checker (PDF)
Please speak to your GP first
Some things are not for waiting on or working out yourself. Each checker has a box at the end listing them, including palpitations, very heavy or unusual bleeding, blood in your urine, a lump you cannot explain, pain that does not go away, and a mouth ulcer that has not healed in three weeks. If any of these apply, please book a GP appointment.
If your mood feels very low, or you have thoughts of harming yourself, please speak to your GP today or call Samaritans free on 116 123, day or night.
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What these checkers are, and are not
They are a way of noticing and describing what you are experiencing. They are not a test, and they cannot tell you what is causing your symptoms. I do not diagnose or prescribe, and I work alongside your GP, never instead of them. This is general information, not medical advice.
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Want help putting the pieces together?
A list of symptoms is a starting point. If you would like someone to help you see how it all fits, I offer one-to-one consultations for women and men, and The Metamorphosis Programme, a 12-week self-led online programme for women going through perimenopause and menopause.​​
Can a symptom checker tell me whether I am in perimenopause or menopause?
No. It cannot diagnose anything. What it does is help you notice, describe and keep track of what you are experiencing, so that your GP or practitioner has a clear picture to work from.
Do I need a blood test before I see my GP?
Not usually. Hormone levels change from day to day, so one result often tells you very little. For women over 45, NICE guidance says a GP can usually recognise perimenopause from the symptoms alone. Your notes are the useful part.
Is there such a thing as male menopause?
Men do not go through a sudden change like the menopause, but testosterone can fall gradually, and many men notice changes in energy, mood, sleep and drive. The NHS points out that "male menopause" can be a misleading label, because these symptoms often have other causes too. The checker helps you describe what you are noticing, and a GP can then work out what makes sense.
Is my information stored anywhere?
No. You download the checker and fill it in privately. I never see it.
Can I use these with my team or my clients?
You are welcome to share the page link. If you would like to talk about training for your workplace, take a look at The Phase Partnership