Why is your Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) not working properly? Dr. Naomi Potter – menopause specialist – explains why in today's episode.

From incorrect doses and unexpected side effects, there are a number of reasons why your HRT might not be offering the results you're hoping for. However, the brighter side is there is nearly always something that can be done about it.

Please note, this episode is not a substitute for medical advice and we do encourage any women watching, who are struggling with their HRT for menopause, to speak to their own GP and seek further information where necessary.

Stay up to date with the podcast by following us on Instagram at: @hotinhere_podcast

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568826081861&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=4ZBW1Wvx7aqTigrV&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F18evLF7Fep%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

#hormonereplacementtherapy #hrt #menopause

How can perimenopause be mistaken for bipolar disorder?

In this episode, Dr Naomi Potter talks to comedian, writer and speaker Cally Beaton about how she was wrongly diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was actually perimenopausal — a misdiagnosis that happens in more cases than you might realise.

Cally also shares how she reinvented herself in midlife to become a stand-up comedian, how she's struggling to access the HRT she needs, and gets advice from Dr Naomi Potter on how to beat those menopause-induced nighttime surges of anxiety.

This is an eye-opening conversation full of laughter, information, and great advice for midlife women.

Stay up to date with Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram: @hotinhere_podcast

Follow Cally Beaton below:

Cally's Instagram: @callybeatoncomedian

Cally's TikTok: @callybeatoncomedian

Cally's podcast Namaste Motherf**kers: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/namaste-motherf-kers/id1562113984

Cally's new book Namaste Motherf**kers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Namaste-Motherf-kers/dp/B08JJZF3MCFollow

Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

00:00 – Intro to Cally

00:28 – From TV boardrooms to comedy clubs

00:59 – Joan Rivers gives life-changing advice

02:33 – Taking the leap into standup

03:21 – From corporate gloss to vulnerability

04:26 – Learning through failure in comedy

05:05 – Balancing comedy and corporate life

05:35 – cComedy secret revealed in New York

07:51 – The hormonal chaos of our 40s

08:42 – Perimenopause is the real issue

09:19 – When Cally hit rock bottom

10:23 – Juggling too much and crashing

10:54 – Post-stage breakdown and relentless tears

11:25 – Accessing private psychiatric treatment

12:08 – Diagnosed with bipolar at 47

12:54 – Prescribed heavy-duty bipolar meds

13:46 – Finally a GP mentions hormones

14:16 – Realising it was perimenopause all along

14:36 – Off bipolar meds, onto HRT

15:08 – Misdiagnosis of women in psychiatry

16:34 – Hormonal turbulence or psychiatric issue?

17:14 – Fear of long-term bipolar medication

18:01 – Finally coming off the wrong meds

19:34 – Overprescribing and polypharmacy problems

20:11 – HRT patch frustration begins

20:49 – Side effects and stock issues

22:10 – Why HRT access is so hard

25:06 – Perimenopause symptoms: depression to anxiety

25:55 – Hot flushes, night sweats and brain fog

26:35 – The stubborn menopause tummy fat

27:15 – Brain fog vs stage clarity

27:51 – Crippling sleep anxiety in midlife

29:02 – Sleep schedule struggles as a comedian

29:26 – Cally’s current HRT regime

30:03 – Trouble replacing the mirena coil

30:56 – Alternative progesterone options

31:48 – Regular pushback from GPs

32:31 – Long-term safety of HRT

33:36 – Alternatives to HRT patches

34:35 – Chronic sleep deprivation struggles

35:07 – Could progesterone help with sleep?

35:28 – Questions from Cally’s community

35:45 – When is a good time to stop HRT?

36:24 – Managing withdrawal and symptoms

36:46 – On max HRT and still foggy

37:09 – Lifestyle factors beyond hormones

38:05 – Absorption issues and patch quality

38:28 – Testosterone and brain clarity

39:00 – What to expect post-menopause

39:49 – Hormonal chaos eventually settles

40:44 – Libido tips and tricks

41:15 – Understanding the causes of low libido

43:12 – Cally’s upcoming book and tour

44:07 – Fearless reinvention through midlife

44:50 – Mess, midlife, and moving forward

46:10 – Outro

#callybeaton #naomipotter #namastemotherfuckers

We're looking about parenting all wrong in today's world – and you're about to find out why.

This week, we're doing something a bit different and opening up a conversation about something that often overlaps with menopause, and we're seeing more and more of our audience talking about... motherhood!

We know that more and more women in the western world are parenting later in life, which means raising a family is often colliding with the oncoming storm of perimenopause / hormonal turbulence. So what's the secret to coping?!

Let's hear from the expert.

This week, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by parenting specialist, coach, and podcaster Zoe Blaskey to explore the hidden pressures mothers face during midlife and why so many women feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and guilty.

Zoe introduces us to the concept of matrescence – the psychological and physical transition into motherhood – and explains why this stage of life needs the same awareness and support as menopause. Together, they discuss practical ways to protect your energy, manage your mindset, and parent with more compassion towards yourself, even on the toughest days.

If you’re a busy, burnt-out mum wondering, “Is it just me?”, this conversation will leave you feeling seen and supported.

Stay up to date with Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram: @hotinhere_podcast

Follow Zoe Blaskey below:

Zoe's Instagram: @zoeblaskey

Zoe's TikTok: @zoeblaskey

Zoe's podcast Motherkind: https://www.motherkind.co/podcast

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Introduction to Zoe Blaskey

01:47 – What is matrescence?

03:19 – Questioning identity after motherhood

04:29 – Why matrescence needs recognition

05:22 – Birth trauma and lack of support

06:14 – Sleep deprivation and confidence dips

06:48 – The need for paternity leave

07:22 – Managing energy as mothers

08:08 – Two-minute rule for energy

08:42 – The phone battery analogy

09:38 – Knowing what recharges you

10:11 – Why self-care isn't enough

10:49 – Energy management over self-care

11:31 – Please follow and share, and an intro to Motherkind

12:26 – Parallels with menopause awareness

13:44 – Backlash around menopause conversations

15:04 – Social media polarisation

15:31 – Criticism of working mothers

16:27 – Matrescence and perimenopause overlap

17:04 – Being a friend to yourself

18:15 – Using self-talk to shift perspective

19:37 – Practising self-compassion

20:11 – Negativity bias in motherhood

20:44 – Noticing what you’ve done

21:33 – Listener question: conflict with kids

22:09 – Why we snap at our kids

23:05 – Understanding anger triggers

24:16 – Recognising bodily cues

24:54 – Regulating in the moment

25:26 – It's normal to shout sometimes

25:48 – It's OK to feel annoyed

26:19 – Listener question: hormones and emotions

27:32 – Self-awareness before perimenopause

28:07 – Warning close ones about changes

28:38 – Recognising symptoms and seeking help

29:30 – Thank you and reflections

30:09 – Where to find more resources

#zoeblaskey #matrescence #naomipotter

Why do women over 40 disappear from our screens? This week, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by actress, writer, and producer Sally Lindsay to unpack why midlife women — and their real experiences with menopause, motherhood, and ageing — are still invisible in TV and film.

You might know Sally best from her role as Michelle in The Royle Family, or Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street, or even Piella Bakewell in Wallace and Gromit! But most recently, she's been starring, writing and producing the Madame Blanc Mysteries, in which Sally plays antique dealer Jean White. Sally talks about how important this job is to her – how she's putting midlife women in the limelight – and how women can bring far more to the table both on camera and behind the scenes compared to men.

This is an empowering, funny, and honest conversation reminding us that women in midlife deserve to be seen — and heard.

Stay up to date with Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram: @hotinherepodcast_drnaomipotter

Follow Sally Lindsay below:

Sally's Instagram: @sallylindsay73

Watch The Madame Blanc mysteries on Channel 5: https://www.channel5.com/show/the-madame-blanc-mysteries/season-3/d5639acf-4ec1-4a52-b4a8-6fdf7ed378cf

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18evLF...

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

Submit a question for Naomi to read at: [email protected]

00:00 – Welcome & introduction

02:02 – Why TV still prefers men in key roles

03:01 – The struggle to get female-led dramas made

04:34 – Where are all the female writers in TV?

05:42 – Motherhood, childcare & losing women in the industry

07:05 – Midlife women and missing roles on screen

08:33 – Why Sally writes roles for women over 50

10:05 – The reality of casting women in midlife

11:04 – Bringing menopause and hot flushes to TV

12:32 – The power (and freedom) of menopause

14:09 – Sally’s personal perimenopause journey

16:02 – Brain fog, anxiety & the fear of losing yourself

18:03 – The life-changing impact of HRT

20:02 – Managing anxiety during menopause

22:04 – The battle women face getting HRT

24:03 – Sally’s experience starting HRT

26:03 – Travelling with HRT & the stress of access

28:04 – If men went through this, it would be everywhere

30:05 – Why has progress on menopause care stalled?

32:02 – Support (or lack of) from friends who didn’t struggle

33:04 – Listener question: Balancing career & family life

36:02 – Listener question: Anxiety, brain fog & confidence at work

39:01 – Final thoughts & where to find support

#sallylindsay #madameblanc #naomipotter

If you could ask menopause specialist Dr Naomi Potter anything, what would it be?

Is It Hot In Here podcast has hit 100,000 downloads! Thank you all for being part of our community. As a way of giving back, Naomi is sitting down today to answer as many questions sent in from all of you about menopause, perimenopause, HRT, midlife, and so much more. 

From “What does the future of HRT look like?” to “How did you first gain interest in menopause?”, Naomi shares all. She also chats about future dream guests and more updates about the podcast itself. 

What milestone do you think we should aim to reach next? 200K? 500K? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay up to date with Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram: @hotinherepodcast_drnaomipotter

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18evLF7Fep/?mibextid=wwXIfr

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Intro

0:15 – Why did Dr Naomi Potter start this podcast?

0:42 – How did Dr Naomi Potter end up specialising in menopause?

2:15 – Who would Naomi like to have as a guest on the podcast?

3:16 – Will menopause ever get the level of support it deserves?

4:42 – What's Naomi's secret to balancing podcasting, being a Doctor, and a mum?

5:12 – Is brain fog curable?

6:05 – What does the future of HRT look like?

6:33 – How to get testosterone in the UK?

7:40 – How do we know if oestrogen is working?

8:51 – Can HRT help my skin?

9:27 – What alternatives can I use for HRT if I have had breast cancer?

11:27 – Can you use HRT with epilepsy?

12:20 – Is it OK to cut my HRT oestrogen patch in half?

13:06 – Am I too old for HRT?

14:35 – How do you know if you need more progesterone with a mirena coil?

15:27 – How to stop waking up in the night?

16:58 – Who can you trust online about menopause?

18:00 – Outro

#menopause #hrt #naomipotter

Can you be a boss AND handle menopause?

What’s the secret to balancing a busy worklife, family life AND menopause?

This week on Is It Hot In Here? Dr. Naomi Potter is joined by Executive Director of The National Theatre, Kate Varah.

This woman is no stranger to managing intense workloads, parenting teens, spending evenings at countless lobbying events and networking exercises, navigating marriage life… all while trying to find your feet in menopause.

Kate’s story is a refreshing look at how any of us can thrive when our calendars are full and our hormones are in flux. Naomi even jokes that Kate might be part robot – but as the layers peel back, we get a deeply honest insight into how she really does it.

Together, they explore how workplaces are beginning to talk more about menopause, the reality of being a high-achieving woman in a C-Suite role, and how to manage symptoms while still showing up in high-pressure environments.

Stay up to date with Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram: @hotinherepodcast_drnaomipotter

Find out more about The National Theatre: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/home/

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18evLF7Fep/?mibextid=wwXIfr

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

Submit a question for Naomi to read at: [email protected]

#menopause #DrNaomiPotter #perimenopause

Want to become your fittest self in your 40s onwards? This 45 minute guide will give you all of the tools you need.

And no, you don’t need a posh kit, expensive gym membership or even any experience to get started.

In this episode of Is It Hot In Here?, Dr. Naomi Potter is joined by midlife fitness expert Caroline Idiens (AKA ⁨Caroline's Circuits). The two discuss who women can build strength, boost energy, and stay active through perimenopause and menopause. Caroline opens up about her own fitness evolution, how resistance training changed her body and mindset in her 50s, and why short, consistent workouts can be more effective than long gym sessions.

Together, they dive into topics like menopause weight gain, joint pain, low motivation, the power of walking, the truth about protein and hormones, and the often-overlooked connection between movement and mental health. Caroline also shares her tips on how to get started with strength training — even if you’ve never picked up a dumbbell in your life.

Follow Caroline Idiens below:

Caroline's Instagram: ‪@carolinescircuits

Caroline's website: https://carolinescircuits.com/

Caroline's book Fit At 50: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fit-50-Stronger-Fitter-Happier/dp/0241715288

Caroline's YouTube: ⁨@carolinescircuits⁩

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

Submit a question for Naomi to read at: [email protected]

00:00 – Intro: meet Caroline Idiens (@carolinescircuits)

01:32 – Why Caroline started strength training in midlife

03:08 – What is resistance training? (and why it matters after 40)

05:10 – Caroline’s workout routine: structure, duration & frequency

07:45 – Walking, hormones & mental health: a powerful combo

09:30 – How strength training boosts mood, confidence & energy

11:48 – Will lifting weights make you bulky? (spoiler: no)

13:22 – Glutes, core & stability: the muscles that matter most

15:00 – Joint pain, menopause & how to modify exercise safely

17:10 – Everyday strength: why midlife fitness isn’t just about looks

19:25 – Menopause & nutrition: the role of protein, sugar & balance

21:40 – Midlife weight gain & belly fat: what's really going on?

24:05 – Sleep & stress in menopause: how exercise can help

26:10 – Caroline’s bedtime routine & supplement stack

28:25 – Struggling with motivation? here’s where to start

30:10 – Building habits that stick: the power of small steps

32:18 – Exercise & anxiety: breaking the spiral

34:00 – Caroline’s go-to modifications for sensitive joints

36:12 – Top supplements Caroline recommends for midlife wellness

38:10 – Avoiding injury after 40: smart training tips

40:15 – Can fitness help with skin, hair & hormone balance?

42:00 – Final advice: keep it simple, stay consistent

#carolinescircuits #menopause #menopauseworkout

Have you heard about HRT but you aren’t sure where to start?

Menopause specialist Dr. Naomi Potter is here to answer the top 10 questions we commonly hear from women when it comes to menopause and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). From ‘Is HRT safe?’ to ‘What HRT options are there?’ to ‘How do I know if my HRT is working?’ Naomi shares the up-to-date facts — with compassion, clarity, and zero judgement.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or just don’t know what options are available to you, this is the clear conversation you’ve been waiting for — warm, honest, and rooted in science.

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

Submit a question for Naomi to read at: [email protected]

0:00 – Intro to menopause and HRT

0:26 – What is HRT?

0:57 – How does HRT work?

1:55 – When should I consider taking HRT?

3:18 – What different HRT options are out there?

7:25 – What are the benefits of taking HRT?

9:23 – Are there risks involved in taking HRT?

12:40 – Can I change my choice of HRT?

14:03 – What are the signs that my HRT might not be working?

16:08 – What alternatives are there to HRT?

18:27 – How do I find out more about HRT?

19:13 – Outro

#menopause #perimenopause #hrt

Why are women’s health problems so ignored?

Today on Is It Hot In Here? Podcast, Dr. Noami Potter is joined by BBC presenter and journalist Naga Munchetty. In this powerful, emotional conversation, Naga reveals the decades she spent living with debilitating periods. The pain was so bad that she was regularly passing out, throwing up, and “bleeding half my life”. It took 32 years for Naga to be finally given an adenomyosis diagnosis.

But why so long? And why can so many women relate to this story?

In this conversation, Naga and Naomi talk about the need to better support women’s health – and how Naga’s own experiences will affect her in the next chapter of her life: menopause.

In this episode, Naga opens up about:

💥 Being dismissed and misdiagnosed by doctors

💥 The pain and trauma of coil fittings

💥 Why women's pain is so often minimised

💥 Her journey into perimenopause and finding the right HRT

💥 The fight to change NHS guidance on women’s health

💥 How to advocate for yourself and speak to your Doctor

If you’ve ever felt ignored, belittled, or frustrated by the system when it comes to your health, then this listen will be an hour well and truly spent.

Naga and Naomi hope that you will come away feeling heard, reassured, and empowered to go to their own GP with the information needed to make a real impact for themselves.

Follow Naga Munchetty below:

Naga's Instagram: ‪@tvnaga

Naga's new book It's Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis (and How to Thrive Despite It); https://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Probably-Nothing-Critical-Conversations/dp/0008686572

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

Submit a question for Naomi to read at: [email protected]

00:00 – Introduction

00:45 – What Is Adenomyosis?

12:25 – Naga on Being Dismissed by Doctors

14:00 – Period Pain, Dismissal & Misdiagnosis

18:00 – The Coil Fitting That Left Her Traumatised

22:00 – Finally Getting a Diagnosis

26:00 – The Link Between Menopause and Adenomyosis

30:00 – The Gap in Medical Knowledge About Women’s Health

33:00 – Are We Taught to Hide Our Pain?

37:00 – Changing NHS Guidelines: A Real-Life Win

43:00 – The Emotional Toll of Being Ignored

47:00 – Navigating Perimenopause

53:00 – Advice for Women Feeling ‘Less Like Themselves’

56:00 – How to Advocate for Yourself at the GP

1:03:00 – The Urgent Need for Change

#womenshealth #naomipotter #nagamunchetty

If you're feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, imposter syndrome, or rising stress levels in midlife — you're not alone.

In this episode of Is It Hot In Here?, Dr. Naomi Potter is joined by the brilliantly funny and refreshingly honest Louise Boyce — also known online as Mama Still Got It.

Louise began her career as a successful model, but in recent years has reinvented herself as a content creator, author, and mum-of-three sharing the real, unfiltered moments of parenting. Alongside the chaos of family life, Louise has been navigating a host of perimenopause symptoms — from brain fog and hot flushes to crippling anxiety.

So how does she manage it all and still find time to feel like herself again?

This conversation is packed with practical advice and reassuring insight for anyone approaching or in the thick of perimenopause. You’ll come away feeling seen, supported — and with a few laughs along the way.

Follow Louise Boyce below:

Louise's YouTube: ⁨@mamastillgotit_⁩

Louise's Instagram: @mamastillgotit_

Louise's TikTok: @mamastillgotit_

Louise's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAMA-STILL-GOT-HB-Yourself/dp/0008561842

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568826081861

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

Submit a question for Naomi to read at: [email protected]

0:00 – Intro

1:12 – Louise on transitioning from modelling to content creator

3:55 – Eating disorders within the modelling industry

5:10 – Being told pregnancy is the end of your career

7:12 – The good and bad of social media

9:45 – Putting perimenopause symptoms down to stress

11:35 – How to prepare for menopause

12:36 – How has perimenopause affected family life?

15:03 – How to talk to your family about menopause

16:32 – Having a baby during perimenopause

17:50 – Sleep problems during menopause

18:42 – Brain fog in menopause

21:15 – A shortage in HRT supplies (patch crisis!)

23:33 – Alternative oestrogen patches

24:33 – Menopause progress has stalled

27:02 – Is imposter syndrome due to menopause or society?

30:35 – Should I take testosterone for menopause?

34:50 – Can testosterone cause hair growth?

36:03 – Do you need to take oestrogen before you can have testosterone?

37:42 – Alternatives to HRT

41:22 – The mental benefits of exercise

43:00 – Can I increase my HRT?

46:39 – What to do if menopause symptoms return

48:44 – Women are being let down

50:18 – The truth behind blood tests for menopause

54:46 – Are night sweats enough to say I'm in perimenopause?

55:43 – How long can I take HRT for?

57:21 – Everyone should use vaginal oestrogen!

59:30 – How can I get rid of my menopause belly?

1:01:27 – What is Louise Boyce up to now?

#menopause #perimenopause #mamastillgotit