If vaginal dryness is bothering you and you want to talk about options that do not involve hormones, a little preparation makes the appointment more useful. The steps below walk through the visit in order: what to write down, what to bring, what to ask, and how to leave with a plan. Choosing a product or treatment is a decision for you and your clinician, and Step four lists the questions that help you make it.
Step one: Write down what is happening
Start a short note a few days before the visit. Record what you notice, when it happens, and whether anything makes it better or worse. Keep the wording plain. Describe what you feel, such as "dry and sore after a long day", and leave the diagnosis to your clinician.
It also helps to note when the symptoms began and whether other changes showed up around the same time. If you want background reading first, the MedlinePlus overview of menopause and its symptoms is a public starting point.
Step two: Gather what to bring
Put the items below in one folder or one bag so they are not scattered on the day.
Medicines and supplements
List every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take, with doses. If you use anything already for dryness, write down the name and how long you have used it.
What you have already tried
Write down what you tried, how long you tried it, and what happened. This keeps the visit from repeating steps you have already taken.
Insurance and visit details
Bring your insurance card and any referral paperwork. If you are unsure what your plan covers, ask the office before the visit, not after.
Step three: Expect questions, and ask about tests
Expect questions about your symptoms, your history, and your medicines. Your notes from Step one are there to answer them.
Before the day, ask the office two things: whether an exam is planned, and whether any lab work is planned. If lab work is planned, ask what it is for. You should not have to guess why a test is being ordered.
Step four: Ask about nonhormonal options
This is the center of the visit. Ask your clinician which nonhormonal options fit your situation and what each one involves. Useful questions, in order:
- What nonhormonal options are available for me?
- How is each one used, and how often?
- How long before I should expect to notice a difference?
- What side effects or cautions apply to me, given my medicines and history?
- What should I do if an option does not help?
Read the Menopause Society patient education page on sexual health before you go, so the terms in the conversation are familiar.
Step five: Agree on a plan and a follow-up
Before you leave, say the plan back in your own words. Confirm what you will start with, what to track, and when to check in. Ask when to call sooner if something changes.
Where the steps come from
The public health pages linked above shaped the order of the steps. They are general, so no treatments are named here. Your clinician knows your history and the pages do not.
Choosing with your clinician
The visit goes best when you arrive with notes, a medicine list, and a short set of questions. Take the steps above in order, ask about nonhormonal options directly, and leave with a plan and a date to follow up. For a plain-language overview of the choices people discuss with clinicians, read the Office on Women's Health page on menopause treatment.
Preparation drawn from public health pages gets you to the visit, and the choice of a nonhormonal option stays with you and your clinician.