Endometriosis, Fibroids & HRT: What You Need To Know

Is It Hot In Here? Midlife Podcast

May 11, 2026 36 mins

About

Win a year's worth of Menopause Care appointments by entering our giveaway here: https://bit.ly/4t3ELhb


Can you take HRT if you have endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids?


In this week’s episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by Menopause Care doctor Dr Eloise Elphinstone to talk through the conditions that can make menopause treatment feel more complicated – including endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids.


Together, they explain why these conditions can affect HRT choices, why progesterone matters, when a Mirena coil may be helpful, and why having endometriosis or fibroids does not automatically mean HRT is off the table.


Expect clear, practical advice for women who have spent years feeling dismissed, confused, or worried that their history of pain, heavy bleeding or surgery means they have fewer menopause treatment options.


💬 Topics include:

• What endometriosis actually is

• Why endometriosis can take years to diagnose

• Can HRT flare endometriosis symptoms?

• Why progesterone is important with endometriosis

• HRT after hysterectomy

• Surgical menopause and medical menopause

• What adenomyosis is and how it differs from endometriosis

• Fibroids, heavy bleeding and menopause

• Can you take HRT if you have fibroids?

• The role of the Mirena coil

• How to tell if pain is menopause or endometriosis

• Why specialist menopause care matters


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


Follow Dr Eloise Elphinstone below:

Eloise's Instagram: @the_womenshealth_gp


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 – Introduction: menopause, endometriosis & why diagnosis takes years

00:50 – What endometriosis actually is and why it causes pain

03:05 – Why menopause and HRT can complicate endometriosis

05:03 – How HRT is prescribed differently in endometriosis

08:00 – Hysterectomy, endometriosis & why progesterone still matters

09:59 – What the Mirena coil does and why it helps endometriosis

11:30 – Key takeaways: can women with endometriosis still use HRT?

13:28 – What is adenomyosis and how is it different from endometriosis?

16:26 – The “estrogen threshold” theory explained

17:01 – Medical menopause, GnRH treatments & surgical options

19:36 – Why endometriosis care and menopause care are often difficult

20:29 – Why endometriosis is called a chronic inflammatory condition

21:52 – Fibroids explained: symptoms, growth & menopause implications

24:48 – Can women with fibroids safely use HRT?

26:08 – The emotional impact of years of dismissed symptoms

28:26 – Mirena coils, fibroids & reducing heavy bleeding

29:50 – Why hysterectomies are less common than they used to be

31:07 – Listener question: bladder pain, hip pain & menopause vs endometriosis

35:08 – Listener question: can progesterone affect endometriosis?

36:01 – Final thoughts & outro


#hrt #endometriosis #perimenopause

Information

Episode

31

Date

May 11, 2026

Length

36 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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