Answering Your Questions About HRT In Menopause (side effects, HRT not working, biggest myths, and more)

Diagnosed At 34: Dani Harmer Holds Nothing Back About Early Menopause (Tracy Beaker)

Can you go through menopause in your 30s? 🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: [https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihih](https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihih) This week, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by actress and national treasure Dani Harmer (best known as Tracy Beaker) for a very honest conversation about early menopause, HRT, exhaustion, brain fog and trying to parent young children while completely running on empty. Dani opens up about the symptoms that made her realise something was wrong, how her partner first spotted the signs of perimenopause, and why finally starting HRT made her “feel like herself again”. Naomi also explains why women who go through menopause young may need extra support for their bones, heart and long-term health. 💬 Topics include: • Early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) • Perimenopause symptoms in your 30s • HRT for younger women • Why DEXA bone scans matter in early menopause • Brain fog, exhaustion and menopause fatigue • Hair loss during menopause • The role of nutrition and protein in menopause symptoms • Menopause rage, anxiety and low mood • Parenting young children during perimenopause • How partners can better support menopause llow Dani Harmer below: Dani’s Instagram: @missdanijharmer Dani’s TikTok: @daniharmer Follow Dr Naomi Potter below: Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter 00:00 – Dani Harmer on early menopause at 34 03:18 – The early menopause symptoms nobody warned her about 06:17 – Diagnosed with perimenopause in her 30s 09:23 – What is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)? 12:05 – Why younger women may need higher HRT doses 15:50 – Why Dani still feels exhausted despite HRT 18:16 – Hair loss in menopause: hormones or nutrition? 21:14 – The menopause fatigue cycle explained 24:00 – Simple menopause nutrition changes that could help 27:06 – Can menopause cause hair thinning and hair loss? 29:14 – How Dani's partner supported her through menopause 32:30 – The right way to talk about menopause with your partner 34:21 – Dani's advice if your GP won't listen 37:03 – Feeling isolated with early menopause? What helps 38:32 – Parenting young children during perimenopause 41:04 – Why more women need to talk about early menopause #menopause #earlymenopause #hrt

Rewind Time: Breaking Menopause Taboos In The South Asian Community

Today we're revisiting our episode with personal trainer, author, and wellness coach Lavina Mehta. Lavina very candidly opened up about her experience as a South Asian woman bringing 'taboo' topics like perimenopause, periods, and women's health to the table – and why this is so crucially important to do. If you enjoyed this snippet, you can listen to the full episode with Lavina here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UNeIYs6QhMFTjTqnSU1pk?si=mcTPkZqvQ2y90kFMSbaOjg #menopause #perimenopause #southasianculture

How Your Negative Thoughts Are Impacting Your Health – With Nutritionist Sarah Ann Macklin

Healthy shouldn't be this hard. 🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihih In this week’s episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by nutritionist, author and podcast host Sarah Ann Macklin for a fascinating conversation about diet culture, self-worth, stress and why your mindset may be affecting your metabolism more than you realise. Sarah explains why so many women feel like they’re “failing” at health during midlife – despite trying so hard to eat well, exercise and keep up with endless wellness advice. Together, they unpack the science behind self-compassion, stress, digestion, emotional eating and why being kinder to yourself may actually improve your health outcomes. 💬 Topics include: • Why stress affects digestion and metabolism • The link between self-worth and food choices • Why women feel exhausted by wellness culture • Diet culture and “optimisation” explained • The science behind self-compassion • Why shame does NOT motivate healthy habits • Emotional eating and binge eating • Why “healthy eating” feels harder in midlife • The surprising psychology behind cravings • How mindset affects hormones and health • Why mums are more active than they think • How to build healthier habits without punishment 📘 Get Sarah's new book Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard/dp/0857509977/ref=asc_df_0857509977?mcid=ebba7bd752a23e949a6647f3f30010ab&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=795502497071&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6551743774984784278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9262905&hvtargid=pla-2472515035398&psc=1&hvocijid=6551743774984784278-0857509977-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1 Follow Sarah Ann Macklin below: Sarah’s Instagram: @sarahannmacklin Sarah’s podcast: Live Well Be Well Sarah’s book: Healthy Shouldn’t Be This Hard Follow Dr Naomi Potter below: Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter #menopause #nutrition #selfcompassion

14 Alternatives To HRT That Can Help Menopause Symptoms (herbal, supplements, therapies)

What can you do if HRT isn’t right for you? 🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihih In this week’s solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter explains the non-hormonal options that may help with perimenopause and menopause symptoms — from CBT, hypnotherapy and acupuncture to herbal remedies, antidepressants, beta blockers, Veozah and lifestyle changes. HRT can be brilliant, but it is not suitable for everyone. Whether you can’t take HRT, don’t want to take it, or have tried it and struggled with side effects, this episode breaks down what else is available — without the fear, fads or confusion. 💬 Topics include: • CBT for menopause • Hypnotherapy, reflexology and acupuncture • Herbal remedies (e.g black cohosh and ashwagandha) • Plant oestrogens • When antidepressants may be helpful • Beta blockers • Veozah / fezolinetant • Bladder medications • Lifestyle changes still matter • How to avoid wasting money on menopause fads Follow Dr Naomi Potter below: Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter 00:00 – 14 alternatives to HRT for menopause symptoms 01:20 – CBT for menopause anxiety, hot flushes & mood swings 03:28 – Hypnotherapy for menopause anxiety & sleep 04:43 – Reflexology for menopause symptoms 05:34 – Acupuncture for hot flushes & night sweats 07:41 – Herbal remedies for menopause explained 08:29 – Black cohosh for hot flushes & night sweats 09:21 – Ashwagandha for menopause brain fog & anxiety 09:54 – Plant oestrogens, soya & red clover for menopause 11:56 – Antidepressants (SSRIs) for menopause mood & anxiety 14:12 – Oxybutynin for hot flushes & night sweats 14:56 – Propranolol & beta blockers for menopause anxiety 16:03 – Veozah (fezolinetant): new non-hormonal menopause treatment 17:33 – Gabapentin for severe menopause symptoms 18:23 – Mirabegron & solifenacin for bladder symptoms 20:40 – Lifestyle changes that improve menopause symptoms 22:07 – How to choose the right menopause treatment for you #menopause #hrt #drnaomipotter

Endometriosis, Fibroids & HRT: What You Need To Know

Win a year's worth of Menopause Care appointments by entering our giveaway here: https://bit.ly/4t3ELhb Can you take HRT if you have endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids? In this week’s episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by Menopause Care doctor Dr Eloise Elphinstone to talk through the conditions that can make menopause treatment feel more complicated – including endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids. Together, they explain why these conditions can affect HRT choices, why progesterone matters, when a Mirena coil may be helpful, and why having endometriosis or fibroids does not automatically mean HRT is off the table. Expect clear, practical advice for women who have spent years feeling dismissed, confused, or worried that their history of pain, heavy bleeding or surgery means they have fewer menopause treatment options. 💬 Topics include: • What endometriosis actually is • Why endometriosis can take years to diagnose • Can HRT flare endometriosis symptoms? • Why progesterone is important with endometriosis • HRT after hysterectomy • Surgical menopause and medical menopause • What adenomyosis is and how it differs from endometriosis • Fibroids, heavy bleeding and menopause • Can you take HRT if you have fibroids? • The role of the Mirena coil • How to tell if pain is menopause or endometriosis • Why specialist menopause care matters Follow Dr Eloise Elphinstone below: Eloise's Instagram: @the_womenshealth_gp Follow Dr Naomi Potter below: Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/ 00:00 – Introduction: menopause, endometriosis & why diagnosis takes years 00:50 – What endometriosis actually is and why it causes pain 03:05 – Why menopause and HRT can complicate endometriosis 05:03 – How HRT is prescribed differently in endometriosis 08:00 – Hysterectomy, endometriosis & why progesterone still matters 09:59 – What the Mirena coil does and why it helps endometriosis 11:30 – Key takeaways: can women with endometriosis still use HRT? 13:28 – What is adenomyosis and how is it different from endometriosis? 16:26 – The “estrogen threshold” theory explained 17:01 – Medical menopause, GnRH treatments & surgical options 19:36 – Why endometriosis care and menopause care are often difficult 20:29 – Why endometriosis is called a chronic inflammatory condition 21:52 – Fibroids explained: symptoms, growth & menopause implications 24:48 – Can women with fibroids safely use HRT? 26:08 – The emotional impact of years of dismissed symptoms 28:26 – Mirena coils, fibroids & reducing heavy bleeding 29:50 – Why hysterectomies are less common than they used to be 31:07 – Listener question: bladder pain, hip pain & menopause vs endometriosis 35:08 – Listener question: can progesterone affect endometriosis? 36:01 – Final thoughts & outro #hrt #endometriosis #perimenopause