Is It Hot In Here? Midlife Podcast

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

The Best of Is It Hot In Here? 2025: The Moments You Loved Most

Missed an episode this year — or want to relive the moments everyone’s been talking about?

In this special compilation episode, Dr Naomi Potter looks back at some of the most powerful, honest and popular conversations from Is It Hot In Here? in 2025. Featuring unforgettable moments from guests including Dame Kelly Holmes, Bryony Gordon, Louise Boyce, Cally Beaton and more, this episode celebrates the stories that resonated most with you.

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

00:00 – Bryony Gordon on OCD and menopause
02:09 – Dr Karen Gurney on what 'normal' sex is
04:43 – Kate Lawler on losing herself in perimenopause
06:11 – Dame Kelly Holmes on feeling weaker during perimenopause
06:56 – Davinia Taylor on testosterone for women
07:45 – Louise Boyce on brain fog
09:20 – Cally Beaton on being misdiagnosed bipolar
12:05 – Stacey Duguid on perimenopause destroying her marriage
15:44 – Kate Silverton on childhood trauma impacting menopause
16:35 – Victoria Emes on HRT and dogs

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/

Watch the full episode with:

• Bryony Gordon: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HvWsF9n00VTSyRVDqutLQ?si=QkgI3nsoTZ-NlstYrC4L7A&t=0&pi=OG8U1ujZRP6Ek
• Dr Karen Gurney: https://open.spotify.com/episode/74WPkh7SDcNVh7E9oJ0Bgx?si=YrvZC7ZmSlKZA5T8VqfmiQ&t=0&pi=FLP9eeMqSjaYM
• Kate Lawler: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eSbAVhA0ymFYWkGWzV5QP?si=ATzmZ6LZSHujMkiJMtsb7g&t=0&pi=B6kRsLwSS4G-6
• Dame Kelly Holmes: https://youtu.be/JV2XaovVUAA?si=gFwtF0_5y_GrYeta
• Davinia Taylor: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3zRhBx2EDQJ6d7LQABhCX2?si=37baxu-mQbiTPNG4BFa8pQ&t=0&pi=KLsKZTJgSAi1j
• Louise Boyce: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HLr6inTWAtJS9OkEVsMkx?si=DTJTc3pwTN6njXOGgXUlIQ&t=0&pi=Vp1AzxTzQUCYD
• Cally Beaton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6l6DH9H9VyfR8Wz9kgvZR1?si=TC5VOwx4TCClPxzW_7c1Ig&t=0&pi=qvqKlrFgSH-Nh
• Stacey Duguid: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dgl8cSiJPxrqd6PAxIfHb?si=0A5tfrOlRcOybXWWSp32yg&pi=jYpDK29TRh6tT&t=0
• Kate Silverton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Qn172LZSPkAMHfoVKvvgb?si=kU3CFAESRsGCQTLi8jQ42A&t=0&pi=gYeSt01cSTWgN
• Victoria Emes & Kelly Bedford: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jp9OkA1yll5wlTQPX2VzG?si=yHRZA5atQ6ep-EJXu0-p2g&t=0&pi=VmEq2nyZRjGRR

#menopause #perimenopause #naomipotter