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