Am I Losing My Mind?! Or Is This Perimenopause? With Desiree Burch

Brain fog in menopause – who else can relate?🤝 Get your own personalised menopause support from Dr Naomi Potter and her team: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/what-to-expect-ihihIn this episode, Dr Naomi Potter is joined by comedian, voice actor and presenter Desiree Burch. You might know Desiree from competing on the gameshow Taskmaster, the narrator for Netflix's dating show Too Hot to Handle, or from her current standup comedy tour The Golden Wrath.Desiree opens up about what perimenopause really felt like behind the scenes: the sudden shift from “fine” to not fine, the shock of losing mental sharpness as a professional performer, and the very real trial-and-error of getting HRT right when your body won’t absorb it.She shares the moment she realised this wasn’t “just stress” – including the mental health side that so many women are quietly battling – and why perimenopause can feel like a full-body initiation, not just a list of symptoms.They also discuss what to do when treatment stops working, why follow-up matters, and how midlife can become a turning point for boundaries, self-trust, and giving fewer f***s (in the best way).There are still tickets available for Desiree's tour! Get yours here: https://www.desireeburch.com/the-golden-wrath-tour/Follow Desiree Burch below:Desiree's Instagram: @destherayDesiree's website: https://www.desireeburch.com/ Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotterNaomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter00:00 – Intro + meet Desiree Burch00:33 – Performing nerves: “pure panic” + adrenaline02:58 – Brain fog hits midlife (and comedy suffers)03:38 – Testosterone + mental acuity when words vanish06:06 – Identity, misogyny & being misunderstood07:26 – “Witch initiation” — perimenopause as inner overhaul08:21 – The HRT train: progesterone first + Mirena09:00 – Ectopic pregnancy + suicidal thoughts: “Add estrogen”10:44 – Menopause in silence + not asking your mum11:55 – Hearing other women’s stories brings relief13:23 – Hormones vs antidepressants in midlife14:39 – Penny-drop moment: bleeding, polyps & heavy periods17:40 – The sudden “flip” + fear of how bad it gets18:22 – HRT helped — and forced healthier habits19:59 – Absorption chaos: gels, patches & lozenges21:50 – What works: regulated options explained29:39 – When symptoms return: troubleshooting HRT34:09 – Why menopause care still feels like guesswork37:46 – Can perimenopause derail careers?46:08 – The Golden Wrath: show, dementia & women’s stories52:49 – Listener Qs: partners + “giving fewer f**ks”#menopause #perimenopause #drnaomipotter