"Concerned about consultant's reaction"

I attended a gynaecological appointment on the cancer pathway after a 2 week wait,  following a smear test that revealed a "growth" on my cervix and what I thought was a post menopausal bleed as well as hip and groin pain. The smear was a follow up after a smear the previous year that revealed the HPV virus.

It was an incredibly anxious wait for the appointment as your mind runs away from you when you are referred on a cancer pathway and you convince yourself (despite being a very rational human being) that you have cancer and what the consequences of this could be to you, your family, work etc.

On arrival to the unit I was met by a very smiley receptionist who directed me where to wait. After a while I was called through to the consultation room by a lovely nurse who could see that I was very nervous and tried to reassure and comfort me.

There were 3 other members of staff in the consultation room, including the  gynaecologist. When the consultant asked me about why I was there I mentioned about the growth and that I was in the menopause. Straight away the consultant said I couldn't be in the menopause as I was too young and that I was probably peri-menopausal. This was without any knowledge of my medical history (I've been on HRT in the past year). 

Thankfully after a very painful examination it was revealed that the "growth" was in fact a cyst and there was no treatment required (much to my relief). Following the consultation I can't stop thinking about the consultants reaction to menopause. If a Gynaecologist can't accept that a woman in her forties is in the menopause (normal menopause age 45-55. average age of menopause 51 years old) then what hope have women got! 

I feel it is bad enough the GP's have no idea about menopause, but not a Gynaecologist!