Today we're revealing the ultimate skincare routine for menopausal women.

And the good news? It's super simple!

If your skin has become dry, extra sensitive, or you're suffering from acne during midlife, this could be down to menopause. But there are things that can help – and for this week's episode, we're joined by THE skincare expert to reveal all...

Dr Naomi Potter is joined by skincare expert and bestselling author Caroline Hirons (aka the “Queen of skincare”) for a funny, no-fluff conversation about menopause skin changes. From perimenopause breakouts and pigmentation to dryness, sagging and sensitivity. Caroline opens up about her own menopause experience, why HRT helped massively, and what actually works when you want results without a 10-step routine.

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

Follow Caroline Hirons below:

Caroline's Instagram: ‪@carolinehirons

Caroline's TikTok: ‪@carolinehirons

Caroline's YouTube: @CarolineHirons

Caroline's skincare brand Skin Rocks: https://skinrocks.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooih8b25vzzeLOpU4-KNkHkHqW9J-aN7JvkYQ1eGPdiskK2vJRe

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 – Caroline Hirons’ skincare career

03:11 – Perimenopause skin changes explained

07:33 – Caroline’s perimenopause experience

10:25 – Post-menopause skin & dryness

11:41 – Early perimenopause skin signs

13:13 – Retinoids: benefits for ageing skin

18:32 – Lifestyle factors affecting skin

19:11 – Why washing your face matters

23:41 – Preventing skin damage early

26:05 – SPF, wrinkles & pigmentation

29:22 – SPF myths and vitamin D

32:56 – Simple daily skincare routine

38:13 – Life after perimenopause

40:08 – Perimenopause overwhelm & skin

44:20 – Caroline’s top menopause advice

49:00 – Skincare routine: morning vs night

#carolinehirons #menopause #skincare

Are HRT patches safe – and why do they sometimes stop working?

In this week’s episode, menopause doctor Dr Naomi Potter breaks down everything you need to know about HRT patches — how they work, how to use them properly, and why so many women get confused or frightened by the information leaflet.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your patch is working properly – or worried after reading the warnings inside the box – this episode will put your mind at ease.

💬 Topics include:

• What HRT patches contain (body identical oestradiol explained)

• Estrogen-only vs combined patches (Avorel, Evorel Conti, Estradot)

• How to use patches correctly (placement, timing & routine)

• What to do if your patch falls off

• Why swimming, baths & moisturiser affect absorption

• The real risk of breast cancer, stroke & heart disease

• Common side effects (bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea)

• What to do if your HRT “stops working”

• Patch allergies & adhesive reactions

• Why switching brands can cause problems

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

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 – What Are HRT Patches? (Body-Identical Estrogen Explained)

00:29 – Types of Estrogen Patches: Estradot vs Larger 100mcg Patches

02:32 – Patch Doses: 50 vs 100 Micrograms (Can You Cut Them?)

03:00 – Do You Need Progesterone With Estrogen Patches?

03:55 – Using the Mirena Coil With HRT

04:46 – Everel Sequi vs Everel Conti (Combined HRT Patches Explained)

06:59 – Patch Residue, Wrinkling & Adhesive Problems

07:43 – New Combined Estradot Patch (What’s Coming Next?)

08:08 – HRT Patch Leaflet Warnings: Breast Cancer, Stroke & Heart Risk

09:44 – HRT Patch Side Effects (What’s Normal?)

10:48 – Benefits of Patches: Twice Weekly Dosing

11:12 – Swimming, Baths & Sauna: Do They Affect Absorption?

12:24 – What To Do If Your Patch Falls Off

13:22 – “My HRT Stopped Working” – Dose & Batch Issues

14:09 – Maximum HRT Patch Dose (100mcg Explained)

14:26 – Are You a Good or Poor Absorber?

15:14 – How To Apply Patches Properly (Avoid These Mistakes)

15:38 – GP Prescribing, Brand Switching & Why It Matters

16:06 – Why Not All HRT Patches Feel The Same

#hrt #hrtpatch #menopause

Brain fog in menopause – who else can relate?

In this episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by comedian, voice actor and presenter Desiree Burch. You might know Desiree from competing on the gameshow Taskmaster, the narrator for Netflix's dating show Too Hot to Handle, or from her current standup comedy tour The Golden Wrath.

Desiree opens up about what perimenopause really felt like behind the scenes: the sudden shift from “fine” to not fine, the shock of losing mental sharpness as a professional performer, and the very real trial-and-error of getting HRT right when your body won’t absorb it.

She shares the moment she realised this wasn’t “just stress” – including the mental health side that so many women are quietly battling – and why perimenopause can feel like a full-body initiation, not just a list of symptoms.

They also discuss what to do when treatment stops working, why follow-up matters, and how midlife can become a turning point for boundaries, self-trust, and giving fewer f***s (in the best way).

There are still tickets available for Desiree's tour! Get yours here: https://www.desireeburch.com/the-golden-wrath-tour/

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Desiree Burch below:

Desiree's Instagram: @destheray

Desiree's website: https://www.desireeburch.com/

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 – Intro + meet Desiree Burch

00:33 – Performing nerves: “pure panic” + adrenaline

02:58 – Brain fog hits midlife (and comedy suffers)

03:38 – Testosterone + mental acuity when words vanish

06:06 – Identity, misogyny & being misunderstood

07:26 – “Witch initiation” — perimenopause as inner overhaul

08:21 – The HRT train: progesterone first + Mirena

09:00 – Ectopic pregnancy + suicidal thoughts: “Add estrogen”

10:44 – Menopause in silence + not asking your mum

11:55 – Hearing other women’s stories brings relief

13:23 – Hormones vs antidepressants in midlife

14:39 – Penny-drop moment: bleeding, polyps & heavy periods

17:40 – The sudden “flip” + fear of how bad it gets

18:22 – HRT helped — and forced healthier habits

19:59 – Absorption chaos: gels, patches & lozenges

21:50 – What works: regulated options explained

29:39 – When symptoms return: troubleshooting HRT

34:09 – Why menopause care still feels like guesswork

37:46 – Can perimenopause derail careers?

46:08 – The Golden Wrath: show, dementia & women’s stories

52:49 – Listener Qs: partners + “giving fewer f**ks”

#menopause #perimenopause #drnaomipotter

What happens when you stop drinking in midlife – and everything starts to change?

In this episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by acclaimed crime author, former criminal barrister and The Traitors star Harriet Tyce. Harriet opens up about the turning points that led her to quit alcohol, why it became the “bedrock” for feeling better, and the mindset shifts that helped her rebuild confidence in her 50s.

They also dive into what The Traitors is really like behind the scenes – plus the simple, practical tools Harriet relies on when anxiety or rumination hits.

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Harriet Tyce on Instagram: @harriet_tyce

Order Harriet's new book Witch Trial: https://www.waterstones.com/book/witch-trial/harriet-tyce/9781035411917

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 Welcome Harriet Tyce + The Traitors intro
03:02 Middle-aged women on The Traitors (strategy + being heard)
06:01 Stepping into power in midlife
09:03 From English degree to choosing law
12:02 Criminal Bar realities + drinking culture
15:04 Motherhood, leaving the Bar, and finding writing
18:03 Blood Orange breakout success + why books struggle to cut through
21:05 Pressure after success + writing process + audience growth
24:01 Witch Trial plot, research, and the “dark imagination”
27:02 Alcohol history + last drink (6 June 2022)
30:01 How sobriety transformed health, routines, and self-worth
33:03 Therapy, resources, and why it’s hard without support
36:00 Social life shifts + what might’ve happened otherwise
39:02 Midlife challenges: access, misinformation, and information overload
42:04 Listener Qs: anxiety hacks + sober socialising tips
49:08 Wrap + final reflections

#thetraitors #traitorsuk #drnaomipotter

The internet is full of menopause advice. But how much of it can you actually trust?

In this solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter explores the growing world of menopause misinformation online – from social media 'experts' to AI-generated health advice and even deepfakes. She explains why menopause care is never one-size-fits-all, and why personalised medical advice still matters more than ever.

With more women turning to Instagram, Google and AI for answers, this episode gives you practical tools to help you question what you see online, spot red flags, and feel more confident navigating menopause information safely.

Menopause is complex, individual, and deeply personal. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice online, this episode will help you cut through the noise.

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at:

https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Why menopause advice online is rising

00:24 – Social media and menopause information boom

00:48 – Why menopause advice isn’t one-size-fits-all

01:08 – How to safely navigate menopause advice

01:36 – Why women use Instagram for menopause advice

02:04 – HRT vs lifestyle: dangers of extreme advice

02:56 – Why menopause clickbait works

03:23 – Why personalised menopause care matters

04:25 – Can AI give safe menopause advice?

04:51 – Why AI menopause answers can be wrong

05:25 – The risks of AI medical misinformation

05:56 – What menopause deepfakes actually are

06:26 – How menopause experts are faked online

06:56 – 3 ways to spot fake menopause advice

08:26 – How to check menopause specialist credentials

09:07 – Can anyone call themselves a menopause expert?

09:56 – Why quick online health answers feel reassuring

10:29 – Why doctors still matter in menopause care

10:54 – When AI gives unsafe HRT advice

11:20 – The safest way to get menopause advice

#menopause #drnaomipotter #fakenews

For years, these women were told they were depressed. Anxious. Burnt out. Even bipolar.

In this powerful compilation episode of Is It Hot In Here?, we share eight moments from past celebrity guests where the penny finally dropped — the real cause of their symptoms wasn’t a psychiatric disorder, stress, or personal failure… it was perimenopause.

From fears of early-onset dementia and brain tumours, to antidepressants prescribed as a quick but ineffective fix, these stories expose how often women’s hormonal transitions are misunderstood, dismissed, or missed entirely.

If you’ve ever been told “it’s just anxiety”, “it’s probably stress”, or “this happens to everyone” — this episode is for you.

Follow Is It Hot In Here? on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Lorraine Candy: mistaking perimenopause for a brain tumour

00:54 – Lisa Snowdon: perimenopause being overlooked by depression

01:47 – Cally Beaton: perimenopause misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder

05:17 – Lavina Mehta: a fear of Alzheimer's overshadowing perimenopause diagnosis

06:08 – Kate Lawler: mistaking perimenopause for heart problems

07:01 – Naga Munchetty: Women's pain not being taken seriously

07:56 – Rosie Nixon: menopause symptoms being shrugged off as anxiety

09:58 – Bryony Gordon: perimenopause causing OCD to flare up

Watch Naomi's full conversation with:

Lorraine Candy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oPlBmuiw0mI7yPEU3Ez6Z?si=io10fuoHT8y5zbZfWjOdLw

Lisa Snowdon: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WJEhycgRWgk6QqZqdhcMm?si=4gvi2yhCQ5GdAovMPxKtWQ

Cally Beaton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6l6DH9H9VyfR8Wz9kgvZR1?si=0evUO6oxSxqu86dKyWfkjw

Lavina Mehta: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UNeIYs6QhMFTjTqnSU1pk?si=cBLu6umbRFKYYljT8U7_6A

Kate Lawler: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eSbAVhA0ymFYWkGWzV5QP?si=CDhKbqL3QCOmD_J0h8AmXg

Naga Munchetty: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kSIqsjmTaxELkjGiv3Ojh?si=7HYXdgmnRLeI8jWn-CdkzQ

Rosie Nixon: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zWwGun1xjFISmV2hI6FHY?si=SQObyoaYS-mIOR04U53fNA

Bryony Gordon: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HvWsF9n00VTSyRVDqutLQ?si=PRuD7GFXST26J_Ow3oeUKQ

#menopause #perimenopause #drnaomipotter

Nobody warns you about half of the symptoms that come with menopause.

In this solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter talks through some of the more surprising, and often unspoken, symptoms women experience during perimenopause and menopause. The ones that don’t always make it onto the usual checklists, but regularly show up in clinic.

From itchy ears and tinnitus to heart palpitations, sudden bladder urgency and even unexpected changes in libido, Naomi explains why these symptoms happen, how hormones influence them, and when to seek reassurance or support.

Oestrgoen affects every organ system in the body, so it's not surprising that menopause can show up in various weird and wonderful ways. If you’ve ever felt confused, worried, or brushed off because a symptom didn’t seem 'menopausal enough', this episode is for you. You’re not imagining it – and you’re certainly not alone.

Follow Is It Hot In Here? on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Surprising menopause symptoms nobody warns you about

00:22 – Is tinnitus a sign of menopause? Ringing ears explained

01:24 – Are itchy ears linked to perimenopause and menopause?

02:50 – What is lightning fanny? Sharp vaginal pains in menopause

04:21 – Can menopause cause a sudden increase in libido?

05:26 – Burning mouth syndrome and menopause: what to know

07:13 – Body odour changes in menopause: why you smell different

08:25 – New allergies and sensitivities during menopause

10:54 – Heart palpitations in menopause: when to worry

12:12 – Sudden urinary urgency and menopause explained

#menopause #perimenopause #drnaomipotter

Is testosterone something every menopausal woman needs, or is it being overhyped?

In this highly requested episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined once again by menopause specialist Dr Liz Andrew to answer your real-life questions about testosterone in menopause. No trends, no fear-mongering – just clear, evidence-based answers to the things women are genuinely worried (and confused) about.

From whether you actually need testosterone, to testing, side effects, and those persistent myths about aggression and excess hair growth, Naomi and Liz break it all down.

Follow Is It Hot In Here? on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Liz Andrew:

Liz's Instagram: @drlizandrew

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Testosterone for women: why there’s still so much confusion
02:32 – Testosterone side effects in women (hair, skin, aggression myths)
05:12 – Do women need testosterone blood tests before menopause?
07:34 – Can testosterone help urinary symptoms and vaginal health?
10:01 – What “low libido” really means in menopause
12:33 – Do all menopausal women need testosterone?
15:02 – When doctors add testosterone to HRT (and why timing matters)
17:36 – Testosterone in surgical menopause and early menopause
20:04 – Can testosterone make you angry or aggressive?
22:34 – Female testosterone products explained: Androfeme vs Testogel
25:03 – Safe prescribing, dosing errors and monitoring testosterone
27:31 – Final thoughts: personalised testosterone care for women

#testosterone #drnaomipotter #menopause

Dr Naomi Potter breaks down everything women need to know about post-menopause – a stage that’s often misunderstood, under-discussed, and wrongly assumed to be symptom-free.

Naomi explains what’s normal, what’s not, and how to feel supported and informed once periods have stopped. She also tackles some of the biggest questions women ask in clinic about HRT, bone and heart health, urogenital symptoms, contraception, and knowing where you actually sit on the menopause timeline.

If post-menopause feels confusing, overwhelming, or like unexplored territory, this episode is here to bring clarity, reassurance and practical guidance.

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

00:00 – What post-menopause actually means

01:18 – How symptoms typically change after menopause

02:33 – What to do if new symptoms appear post-menopause

03:55 – How long you can safely stay on HRT

05:28 – Deciding whether to stop or continue HRT

06:42 – Why oestrogen matters for urogenital health

08:39 – Oestrogen’s role in bone and heart health

09:28 – When you can stop using contraception

10:48 – How to know where you are on the menopause timeline

11:59 – Sequential vs continuous HRT explained

12:22 – When menopause feels overwhelming

13:42 – Why perimenopause can be so unpredictable

14:57 – When and how to ask for support

#menopause #perimenopause #hrt

What major menopause changes are coming in 2026 – and how will they affect you?

In this week’s episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by fellow menopause specialist Dr Liz Andrew from the Menopause Care team to break down the biggest updates shaping menopause care in 2026.

Together, they unpack what it really means for menopause to be included in NHS GP health checks for women over 40, how testosterone is becoming more accessible, and how increased workplace support could change daily life for millions of women. If you want to feel informed, empowered, and prepared for what’s ahead, this is an essential listen.

Follow Is It Hot In Here? on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Liz Andrew:

Liz's Instagram: @drlizandrew

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – What’s changing for menopause care in 2026

00:53 – Menopause being added to NHS health checks

01:40 – Using smear appointments to open menopause conversations

03:41 – How women can prepare for NHS health checks

05:15 – Breaking down barriers to talking about menopause with doctors

05:42 – Easier access to testosterone for women

07:07 – New testosterone options including patches

08:19 – Menopause support and policy changes in the workplace

09:17 – Menopause challenges faced by NHS staff

10:18 – Missed opportunities to treat vaginal symptoms in primary care

11:24 – Why the menopause movement will keep growing

12:29 – Reaching underserved and culturally diverse communities

14:35 – What effective menopause support at work really looks like

16:27 – Audience question: HRT patch shortages explained

19:09 – How to involve partners and husbands in menopause conversations

22:56 – How and where to find trusted menopause support

#menopause #perimenopause #drnaomipotter