TV doctor Amir Khan has urged women not to let health concerns be dismissed, saying they "deserve better". In a video on TikTok, the doctor, known for appearances on ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, outlined five symptoms that "deserve proper medical attention".
Five symptoms requiring attention
Dr Khan began the video by saying: "Let's talk about hormone symptoms women are told to ignore but absolutely shouldn't. Here are five symptoms that deserve proper medical attention."
The first symptom is heavy or irregular periods. "If you're bleeding through your pads or tampons every hour, bleeding for more than seven days, or skipping periods altogether, don't ignore it," Dr Khan said. "This could be a sign of endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, thyroid issues, or even fibroids."
Explaining the causes
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue resembling the womb lining develops outside the uterus, typically in the pelvis, while adenomyosis occurs when the uterine lining begins penetrating the muscle in the womb wall. PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a condition impacting hormone levels. The thyroid also regulates hormone levels, while fibroids are common, benign growths which form in or around the womb.
Dr Khan continued: "It's not just bad luck or something you should you have to put up with."
Fatigue and skin issues
Number two is persistent fatigue. "Now, we all get tired, but if you feel wiped out despite sleeping well, it could be hormonal," he said. "Think low thyroid, low iron, B12 deficiency, or cortisol dysregulation from chronic stress. It's not laziness, it could be something serious."
Third on the list is acne that won't go away, particularly on the jawline and chin area. Dr Khan said: "Adult hormonal acne is real and often linked to high androgens, like in PCOS. It can also be triggered by perimenopause." Androgens are hormones responsible for regulating sex drive and reproductive health, along with bone density, energy levels, and mood. Perimenopause refers to the transitional phase women experience prior to the menopause, during which the ovaries produce fewer eggs and hormone levels fluctuate considerably. "A good skincare routine won't fix it. This needs a hormonal work-up," he added.
Hair loss and mood changes
The fourth symptom is hair loss or thinning, hair falling out in clumps, or the parting in the centre of the head gradually widening. Dr Khan said: "That's often dismissed, but it could point to thyroid imbalance, low iron levels, a scalp issue, or the menopause-related changes. It's worth investigating."
Concluding the list is mood swings, anxiety, or low libido. "Hormones don't just affect periods, they affect your brain too," Dr Khan said. "Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all influence mood, motivation, and sex drive. Sudden mood changes, PMS that floors you, or feeling completely disconnected from yourself. That's not just being hormonal, it's medical."
Summing up, Dr Khan said: "So if you're dealing with any of these and being told it's normal, I'm here to tell you it's not. You deserve better. So go and talk about it with your doctor, and hopefully you'll get listened to."
