The Hormone Truth: Perimenopause, HRT & Why Women Are Being Let Down | Dr Fiona Downie

This week on Keeping It Real, K is joined by Dr Fiona Downie — GP turned women's health specialist and founder of The Menopause Medic — for one of the most honest, no-nonsense conversations we've ever had on this podcast.If you've ever felt dismissed, confused, or overwhelmed by the noise around perimenopause and menopause, this episode is for you.We cover absolutely everything:🔹 Why the "skinny is healthy" trend is back — and why it's dangerous for midlife women 🔹 The rise of midlife eating disorders and the RED-S crisis nobody's talking about 🔹 The wild west of supplements, detox teas and the "gold rush niche" preying on confused women 🔹 HRT — body identical vs synthetic, estrogen, progesterone and the testosterone debate 🔹 Why vaginal estrogen should be free over the counter 🔹 The real reason your libido has changed (hint: it's not just hormones) 🔹 Why Fiona left the NHS — and what a proper women's health consultation actually looks like 🔹 Alcohol and perimenopause — the truth 🔹 Alzheimer's, bone density, cardiovascular health and the silent benefits of HRTChapters:00:00 Introduction01:13 Social Media & Body Image11:22 Midlife Eating Disorders & Supplements18:23 Energy Deficiency & Perimenopause38:53 HRT Deep Dive56:22 Testosterone58:55 Sex, Libido & Relationships01:04:28 Quick Fire Questions01:12:47 HRT & Alcohol01:26:45 How to Find FionaFind Dr Fiona Downie: Instagram: @themenopausemedic Website: www.themenopausemedic.com