8 Celebs Open Up About Nightmarish Perimenopause Diagnoses

Is It Hot In Here? Midlife Podcast

February 2, 2026 ∙ 12 mins
Episode 12

About

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

Information

Podcast

Is It Hot In Here? Midlife Podcast

Episode

12

Date

February 2, 2026

Length

12 mins
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Is It Hot In Here? Midlife Podcast

Part open-clinic, part talk show, this is the podcast for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health. Each week, menopause Doctor Naomi Potter is joined by a new guest to explore the real-life impact of their hormonal changes. From hot flushes and anxiety, to brain fog and sleep problems, no topic is off limits. Whether […]

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