Could your recurrent UTIs actually be a menopause problem?

🤝 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 surprising and often overlooked link between diminishing oestrogen and recurrent urinary tract infections – and why antibiotics alone are never going to be the long-term answer.

If you've had two or three UTIs in the past year and keep getting sent away with antibiotics, this episode is for you. Naomi explains why recurrent UTIs are so common in perimenopause and menopause, why they're so often missed, and what you can do right now to prevent them – including the simple, safe and highly effective role of topical oestrogen.

Topics include:

• Why UTIs become more common in perimenopause and menopause

• How diminishing oestrogen affects the urinary tract

• Why antibiotics treat UTIs but don't prevent them coming back

• The role of topical oestrogen in preventing recurrent UTIs

• Practical tips to reduce your risk of UTIs

• Why recurrent UTIs are a serious long-term health risk if left untreated

• Why this menopause symptom is so often missed by doctors

Follow Dr Naomi Potter below:

Naomi's Instagram:

@dr_naomipotter

Naomi's TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

#menopause #UTI #topicaloestrogen

0:00 – Why Recurring UTIs Are a Hidden Menopause Problem

0:51 – The Real Cause: Low Oestrogen and Urinary Tract Health

2:15 Practical Tips to Reduce UTI Risk

2:56 The #1 Solution: Local Vaginal Oestrogen

3:43 The Danger of Untreated UTIs in Older Women

4:32 Get Personalised Help with Menopause Care

Today, we're looking back at our conversation with Nadia Nagamootoo.

Nadia is a chartered psychologist, CEO of Avenir Consulting Services, and host of the Why Care? podcast.

In this chat, she opened up about brain fog and how it's been impacting her life. This is an incredibly raw, vulnerable moment where Nadia comes to terms with the fact that she's "in denial" about perimenopause – something many people experience in midlife!

If you enjoyed this snippet, you can listen to the full episode with Stacey here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NMGVdECTZsXouihsqQw21?si=REMauUZvQ5CCazpikY6zgg

#menopause #perimenopause #brainfog

Can menopause really change the way you run – and can running change the way you experience menopause?

🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihih

Susie Chan didn't start running until she was 35. She was a smoking, self-described idle single mum with zero sporting background. Fast forward to now, and she's completed four Marathon des Sables – a gruelling six-day ultra across the Sahara Desert – run 100-mile races, and built a career as one of the UK's most beloved endurance runners and Peloton coaches.

But when perimenopause arrived, even she found her world shifted beneath her feet.

In this episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by Susie for an honest, funny and genuinely inspiring conversation about running later in life, what menopause actually does to your body when you're an athlete, and why it's never ever too late to start moving. 

Topics include:

• How Susie went from complete non-runner to desert ultramarathon competitor

• The perimenopause symptoms that hit hardest: joint pain, fatigue, anxiety and brain fog

• Why menopause symptoms can be so easy to miss or misattribute

• How HRT – including testosterone – has helped Susie continue competing

• Why women in midlife may actually be built for endurance sport

• How menopause affects fuelling, energy and performance during long-distance running

• The mental strength required to run ultras – and how perimenopause tests it• Advice for women who want to start running in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond

• Why you should never compare yourself to who you were before perimenopause

• Listener questions: is 66 too old to start running? And how do you keep going when perimenopause kills your motivation?

Follow Susie Chan below:

Susie's Instagram: @susie_chan_

Susie's TikTok: @susie.chan

Follow Dr Naomi Potter below:

Naomi's Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi's TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

0:00 Meet Susie Chan: From Museum Curator to Ultra Endurance Runner

1:32 How Running Started: From One Half Marathon to a New Life

8:00 Joining the Ultra Running Community

17:54 Becoming a Full-Time Running Coach at Peloton20:09 Why Women Excel at Long-Distance Running

26:08 Menopause and the Physical Toll of Running

33:01 Hormones, HRT and Performance: Oestrogen, Testosterone and Thyroid

39:48 Starting Running Later in Life: It's Never Too Late

44:58 Life After Menopause: What to Expect

51:00 Listener Q&A: Age, Knee Pain and Motivation

#menopause #perimenopause #running

Today, we're looking back at our conversation with former fashion editor and columnist, Stacey Duguid.

Stacey worked with the likes of Elle, Prada, Armani and more. She divorced her husband back in 2022. Since then, she has spoken openly about her turbulent experience navigating perimenopause – alongside living with ADHD – which inevitably led to the crumble of her marriage.

If you enjoyed this snippet, you can listen to the full episode with Stacey here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dgl8cSiJPxrqd6PAxIfHb?si=tPFUV9P_Sxe0qJgAmEqhUQ

#menopause #perimenopause

Why are my allergies suddenly worse in perimenopause?

🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihih

Have you suddenly developed hay fever, itchy skin, rashes, food sensitivities or reactions to things you've tolerated your whole life?

In this week's solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter explores the surprising connection between menopause, histamine and allergies. She explains why hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can make some women more sensitive to foods, alcohol, environmental triggers and even HRT itself.

If you've ever wondered why your symptoms seem to come out of nowhere, this episode will help you understand what's happening and what you can do about it.

💬 Topics include:

• Why allergies can worsen during perimenopause

• Histamine intolerance and menopause

• The role of mast cells and hormonal changes

• Common food triggers including wine, tomatoes and fermented foods

• Why keeping a symptom diary can help

• The "histamine bucket" theory explained

• Hay fever, itchy skin, rashes and digestive symptoms

• How HRT can affect histamine sensitivity

• When to seek medical advice

• Practical ways to reduce allergy symptoms

Follow Dr Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

00:00 – Allergies in perimenopause and menopause explained

00:31 – Histamine sensitivity, mast cells and menopause symptoms

01:24 – Common histamine triggers: food, alcohol, stress and temperature

02:23 – The histamine bucket theory explained

03:07 – Antihistamines and HRT for menopause allergies

05:06 – How to start HRT if you have histamine sensitivity

06:43 – Do menopause allergy symptoms get better over time?

07:30 – How to identify and manage histamine intolerance in menopause

08:14 – When to see a doctor about menopause allergies

#menopause #perimenopause #allergies

Today we're revisiting our episode with author, coach, and former editor of Hello! Magazine, Rosie Nixon.

Rosie opened up about the burnout that hit her in midlife – which was only exacerbated by hormonal turbulence in perimenopause – and how this did, in fact, lead to the biggest and best transformation of her life.

If you enjoyed this snippet, you can listen to the full episode with Rosie here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zWwGun1xjFISmV2hI6FHY?si=6YNgHbLARgePL1NrjkuU1g

#menopause #perimenopause #burnout

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

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

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

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

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