Perimenopause, Hormones & Skin Ageing Explained | Dr Mandy Leonhardt | Ep 18 | Pharmacy Planet

In this episode of The Lifestyle Prescription with Pharmacy Planet, host Rena DiptiAnnobil sits down with Dr Mandy Leonhardt (DRCOG MRCGP DFFP), GP and women’shealth specialist, to explore the powerful link between hormones, skin ageing,brain fog, hair changes and overall wellbeing. From perimenopause skin changes and hormonal acne to collagen loss, sleep disruptionand mood shifts, Dr Mandy explains how hormonal fluctuations affect far morethan we’re often told — and why many women struggle to get clear answers whensymptoms first appear. Dr Mandy is the founder of Hormone Equilibrium, a clinic specialising in the holisticassessment and personalised treatment of hormonal imbalances throughout awoman’s life, including PMS, perimenopause and menopause. Together, Rena and Dr Mandy discuss the science behind estrogen, testosterone andcortisol, the role of HRT, and how lifestyle, skincare and hormone balance caninfluence healthy ageing. CHAPTERS:0:00 Introduction – Sun Damage, Hormones & What ReallyAges Your Skin0:24 Welcome to the Lifestyle Prescription – Meet Dr MandyLeonhart2:09 Why GPs Know So Little About Women's Hormonal Health4:11 How Hormones Control Your Skin: Estrogen, Testosterone& Cortisol6:35 The Goldilocks Principle – Why Hormone Balance IsEverything9:01 Perimenopause Skin Changes: Dryness, Sensitivity &Itching Explained13:28 Hormones, Histamine & Why Alcohol Hits Differentlyin Perimenopause15:51 Hormonal Acne in Perimenopause: Nodular Breakouts& Rosacea10:57 Hair Shedding in Your 40s: Iron Deficiency, Stress& Alopecia13:13 Brain Fog & Perimenopause – Is It Dementia orSleep Deprivation?17:10 How Poor Sleep Drives Brain Fog, Weight Gain &Cognitive Decline17:11 Anhedonia: Losing Your Sense of Joy in Perimenopause19:10 Why Women Were Misdiagnosed with Depression Instead ofPerimenopause22:24 Setting Boundaries & Protecting Your EmotionalHealth23:05 HRT Explained: Contraindications, Who Can & Can'tTake It25:28 Topical Estrogen for Vaginal Dryness – What Counts asHRT?27:43 Bioidentical vs Body-Identical Hormones: Is It Just aMarketing Term?27:44 What NHS HRT Actually Contains & Why CompoundedProducts Aren't Needed27:42 What Does HRT Do to Your Skin & Hair?28:36 The Collagen Timeline: Why the First 5 Years AfterMenopause Are Critical30:36 Can You Reverse Collagen Loss? The Hard Truth32:09 How HRT Can Benefit Skin Barrier Function &Moisture32:51 Estrogen Creams on the Face – Trend or Risk?38:07 Can You Slow Down Hormonal Aging Through Lifestyle?39:49 Menopause as Liberation: The Positive Side NobodyTalks About40:44 Sun Damage vs Hormones: The #1 Cause of Skin Aging41:24 SPF 50 Every Day – Why Sunscreen Is Your BestAnti-Ageing Investment43:21 Collagen Supplements: Are They Worth the Money?44:38 LED & Infrared Face Masks: Do They Actually Work?46:59 Retinol vs Tretinoin: What's the Difference &Which Actually Works?49:32 The Best Skincare Routine for Perimenopause &Menopause51:40 Vaseline, Glycolic Acid & Ceramides: AffordableSkincare That Delivers55:14 Do Expensive Moisturisers Work Better Than Cheap Ones?1:00:21 Dr Mandy's Top 3 Lifestyle Tips: SPF, No Alcohol& Better Sleep1:01:30 Wrap-Up & Where to Find Dr Mandy Leonhart🔗 Guest Links👉 Dr Mandy Leonhardt – Women’s Health GP🌐 https://hormoneequilibrium.co.uk/about/📸 https://www.instagram.com/hormoneequilibrium/?hl=en👉 Follow Rena Dipti Annobil📸 https://www.instagram.com/renadannobil/📸 https://www.instagram.com/sisterhoodofmummyimperfect/👉 Pharmacy Planet🌐 https://www.pharmacyplanet.com/📸https://www.instagram.com/pharmacyplanetuk/🎧Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xs0BApZk55bgrQz7PN7VW🔖 Hashtags#Perimenopause #MenopauseHealth #HormoneHealth #WomensHealth #HRT #SkinAging #LifestylePrescription #PharmacyPlanet