Podcasts about newson health

Could vaginal estrogen be the missing piece for some of your menopause symptoms? Many women find it has been a game-changer for their relief.I often talk about the lack of current information many doctors have about hormones. This is a global issue, which is precisely why I wanted to have a leading UK menopause expert on the show.Have you ever felt like your own body was working against you? Like your mood, memory, or even sexual health just aren't what they used to be, and no one's really listening? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Louise Newson to dig into why so many women first experience these frustrations and why they feel such immense relief after speaking with a menopause specialist, especially after constantly being dismissed by other clinicians.Dr. Newson, a relentless advocate for women's health, challenges why hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are often denied to women, highlighting a pervasive medical bias against female physiology. She shares crucial insights on testosterone deficiency and its effects on the brain, the revolutionary benefits of vaginal DHEA (Prasterone) for recurrent UTIs, painful sex, and vaginal atrophy, and the potential for deprescribing opioids and antidepressants through hormone optimization. Tune in for a frank, evidence-based discussion that empowers you to advocate for personalized hormonal care at every stage of life.Episode Highlights:Challenging Medical Bias: We confront the historical medical bias denying women crucial hormone therapy (HT) and discuss its impact on overall health.Hormones, Mood & Brain Health: Discover how estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone function as neurotransmitters, profoundly impacting mood, memory, and sleep. Learn how hormone optimization can even reduce the need for opioids and antidepressants.The Power of Testosterone: Beyond libido, we discussl how testosterone replacement can boost brain function, energy, and combat chronic joint pain.Vaginal DHEA: A Game-Changer: Hear about the revolutionary benefits of vaginal DHEA (Prasterone) for recurrent UTIs, painful sex, and vaginal atrophy.Advocating for Long-Term Health: Understand why hormone deficiency raises risks for major conditions like dementia and heart disease, emphasizing the need for personalized hormonal care for healthy aging.If this conversation has sparked questions or empowered you, don't keep it to yourself. Share this episode with a woman in your life who needs to hear it, and remember to visit my Youtube Channel for more resources. Until next time, stay informed and advocate for your health!Guest Bio:​​Dr. Louise Newson is a world-renowned physician, women's hormone specialist, and member of the UK Government's Menopause Taskforce, widely known as the "medic who kickstarted the menopause revolution." An award-winning doctor, educator, and Sunday Times bestselling author, she founded the free balance menopause support app (over 1M downloads) and hosts the No.1 UK medical podcast. Through her Newson Health clinic and extensive research, Dr. Newson is committed to improving access to individualized menopause and hormone treatment, while tirelessly working to educate healthcare professionals and challenge medical bias without pharmaceutical funding.Get in Touch with Dr. Newson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedinGet in Touch with Dr....

Could hormones be the key to longevity?Dr. Louise Newson is one of the world's leading voices in menopause and hormone health, a GP, best-selling author, and founder of Newson Health, the largest menopause clinic globally. She has transformed the landscape of women's health through her groundbreaking work in clinical care, research, education, and public advocacy. Louise founded The Menopause Charity, hosts the UK's No.1 medical podcast, and developed a free menopause training programme downloaded by over 30,000 clinicians worldwide. More from MOTHER:Subscribe to the newsletter: https://themotherverse.substack.com/Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8Follow Louise:Website - drlouisenewson.co.ukNewson Clinic - newsonhealth.co.ukThe Dr. Louise Newson Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor(00:00) Intro(01:20) Highlights from the UK tour(03:40) What does a healthy hormone cycle look like?(06:50) Why is estrogen so central to women's health?(09:00) Autoimmune conditions and inflammation(10:00) Endometriosis and hormone treatment(11:00) Quick summary of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone(12:30) What happens during perimenopause and menopause?(15:30) What is HRT?(17:00) Hormone therapy as a longevity tool(19:10) How does getting started with HRT work?(20:20) The controversy around the Women's Health Initiative Study in 2022(23:20) Is hormone therapy unnatural?(27:10) If you could commission any study…(28:20) What is inflammation, and why does it matter?(31:40) Social media, hormone myths, and misinformation(33:20) How should we redesign our approach to menopause?(34:50) Lessons about life, nature and the universe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advisory: this episode contains themes of suicide and topics which listeners may find upsetting. In this week's podcast Dr Louise Newson is joined by Lisa, who shares her deeply personal and challenging journey through perimenopause, mental health struggles, and the impact of her experiences on her family. Lisa discusses the devastating effects of her mental health decline, which led to a crisis point and ultimately a prison sentence for attempted murder. She also reflects on her time in prison, the realisations she had about her health, and the transformative impact of HRT on her recovery. The conversation also delves into the impact of hormonal changes on women's mental health and the often-overlooked connection between hormonal imbalances and criminal behaviour. Dr Louise and Lisa also discuss the importance of education around hormonal health, especially during perimenopause and menopause, to prevent tragic outcomes such as suicide and criminal behaviour. Click here to find out more about Newson Health. Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Professor Cassandra Szoeke, academic professor, general physician, consultant neurologist and multi-award-winning clinical researcher and author. As principal investigator of the Women's Healthy Ageing Project, the longest study of women's health in Australia, she authored the book Secrets of Women's Healthy Ageing and has several hundred published articles in academic journals. This week's episode explores the topic of healthy ageing, including the connection between inflammation and chronic diseases, the importance of physical activity, mental health, and the role of nutrition and gut health in inflammation. Dr Newson and Professor Szoeke also emphasise the need for a holistic approach to healthcare and the importance of prevention. Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

Content advisory: this episode discusses themes of suicide and sexual assault. In this week's episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Christiane Gurner, who shares her story of endometriosis and PMDD, highlighting the challenges many women face in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. Christiane also shares her experiences of IVF and menopause at the age of 42. The conversation also covers the importance of listening to patients, individualising care and access to the right treatment, as well as the impact of hormone-related conditions on mental health. Christiane has written about her IVF experiences in the Sydney Morning Herald here (subscription required) and here, and menopause at 42 here. She can be contacted via email at christianewrites@outlook.com. Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

In this week's episode, Dr Louise Newson talks to Professor Mike Kirby, president of the British Society for Sexual Medicine and author of more than 450 clinical papers and 32 books. He was previously director of the Hertfordshire Primary Care Research Network, visiting professor to the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire, and was attending physician to the Prostate Centre, London, where he dealt with complex medical problems until 2020. Dr Newson and Professor Kirby discuss the importance of hormone health for both men and women, including testosterone. They also explore the benefits of phosphodiesterase inhibitors – which include Viagra – in treating not only erectile dysfunction, but their potential to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, urinary symptoms, dementia, and even cancer. Professor Kirby is one of the speakers at the upcoming Newson Conference: The Hormone Blueprint, which will be held in London on 21 March. An event for healthcare professionals, the conference will delve into the far-reaching impact of hormones on the body. For more information and to book your place, click here. Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

Content advisory: this episode includes themes of mental health and suicide In this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Rachel Jones to delve into the critical role hormones, particularly progesterone, play in women's mental health. They discuss the importance of understanding hormonal changes throughout a woman's life, the differences between natural and synthetic hormones, and the need for individualised treatment plans. The conversation emphasises the significance of balancing hormones and considering lifestyle factors that impact mental health. Dr Louise and Dr Rachel share insights on how natural progesterone can help with mental health symptoms, including mood and anxiety, and encourage women not to give up on finding the right hormonal balance for them. Click here to find out more about Newson Health. Find out more about Dr Rachel on Instagram @the_hormone_clinic Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

Joining Dr Louise Newson on this week's podcast are Jane Hajduk and Shari Dolan, the real-life friends behind Thee Third Act, a YouTube comedy series about women's third act: menopause. Thee Third Act follows Jane and Shari's characters, Josephine and Lauren, in their search for answers during menopause. From life coaches to hormone replacement therapy, they strive to conquer or at least ease hot flushes, sleepless nights, and astronomical mood swings. Jane and Shari discuss their own menopause experiences, their off-screen friendship, and why sisterhood, laughter and honesty are key when navigating menopause. Catch with Thee Third Act on YouTube here – the second season premieres on 27 January Click here to find out more about Newson Health

In this week's episode of the podcast, Dr Louise Newson talks to Paula, a 76-year-old woman who reached out to share her experience of being on HRT for over 30 years. Paula explains how she was prescribed HRT after a hysterectomy when she was 44, following a complicated gynaecological history, which included an ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, fibroids and endometriosis. She had been taking HRT for a decade when the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study was released. Paula explains how she researched the study, then weighed up her personal risk and benefits in discussion with her doctor and made the decision to carry on taking HRT. Paula was happy to stay on HRT and credits it with helping her to feel better in her 70s than she did in her 30s. Click here to find out more about Newson Health

Joining Dr Louise on this week's podcast is Matt Roberts, one of Britain's foremost fitness experts and personal training pioneer. Matt opened Europe's first exclusively personal training gym in 1996, is a bestselling author and is responsible for honing some of the most famous physiques in fashion, sport, film, music and politics. In this episode, Matt and Dr Louise discuss the importance of strength training, cardio and mobility exercise for health span, as well as some of the key barriers to exercise during perimenopause and menopause –  and how to overcome them. Finally, Matt offers advice on getting into good habits during menopause, whether you are already active or haven't exercised for a while. Find out more about Matt at www.mattroberts.co.uk and follow him on Instagram @mattroberts_lifestyle Click here for more about Newson Health.

On this week's podcast Dr Louise Newson is joined by her friend Liz Earle MBE, writer, TV presenter, award-winning entrepreneur and best-selling author of A Better Second Half: Dial Back Your Age to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life. Liz is synonymous with wellbeing, and as we head into 2025, she talks about why most New Year's resolutions fail because they are unachievable. Instead, Dr Louise and Liz together offer practical tips on making some small but meaningful changes to improve health and wellbeing in midlife and beyond, including nutrition, exercise, mental health and hormones. They also talk about the importance of prioritising yourself – and why self-care is anything but selfish. For more about Liz, visit www.lizearlewellbeing.com You can follow Liz on Instagram @lizearleme Click here for more about Newson Health.

Joining Dr Louise Newson on the podcast this week is A&E consultant Professor Rob Galloway, who talks about his career to date and pressures facing the health service. He also shares the nutrition and exercise changes he's made in his own life that have improved his physical and mental health, as well as his top tips on living healthier for longer. You can follow Professor Galloway on X @DrRobgalloway Click here for more about Newson Health.

On this week's episode, Dr Sumi Rampling, a GP and Menopause Specialist who works alongside Dr Louise at Newson Health, shares her personal story of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Diagnosed in early adulthood, Dr Sumi talks openly about the challenges of her ADHD diagnosis, as well as the impact that hormone changes, including perimenopause, can have on women with ADHD. She talks about the determination her condition has given her, and also offers advice for women navigating hormone changes and ADHD. Download balance's ADHD and menopause booklet here. Click here for more about Newson Health.

In a departure from our usual format, as we reach the end of 2024, Dr Louise looks back on her highlights of this year, including her recent theatre tour, her education work and the work of the Newson Health research team. She looks at some of the key developments for menopause in 2024, and busts some myths around hormones and hormone replacement therapy. Plus, she'll be looking forward to 2025, and sharing details of some exciting work for the year ahead. For more information on Newson Health, click here.

Joining Dr Louise this week is Louise Mulley, who shares her experience of anxiety and menopause. Louise shares the importance of speaking openly about menopause and mental health, and how a conversation with a close friend helped her recognise her symptoms and find the right support and treatment. She also shares her top three tips on helping friends or loved ones who may be struggling with their mental health during perimenopause and menopause: Help your friend unburden: ask them ‘would you like to talk to me about it?'. Make it clear they can talk to you with no judgement and in confidence. Share your own menopause story to encourage your friend to open up about what they may be going through. Keep an open mind: if you're a woman of menopausal age and experiencing mood changes, consider that it might be your hormones. For more information on Newson Health, click here.

On this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Rebecca Walker, a GP who specialises in headache medicine and migraines. In this episode, Dr Rebecca and Dr Louise (who suffers from migraines herself) get back to basics, looking at what migraines are, why they can occur and management approaches, from lifestyle measures to medication. They also talk about how hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause can impact the frequency and severity of migraines, and bust some myths around taking HRT if you have a history of migraines. Follow Dr Rebecca on Instagram @dr_rebeccawalker. For more information on migraines, visit the National Migraine Centre here, and you can find resources about migraine and menopause on the balance website here. You can also listen to an earlier episode of the Dr Louise Newson Podcast with Dr Katy Munro, author of Managing Your Migraine, by clicking here or searching for episode 115 on your favourite streaming app. For more information on Newson Health, click here.

Joining Dr Louise Newson on the podcast this week is Jen Moore, a campaigner dedicated to raising awareness of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Jen started experiencing endometriosis symptoms at the age of 11, but it took her 22 years to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids. By this stage organ failure was a risk and she required multiple surgeries, including a hysterectomy. She has since become committed to helping other women – from speaking out to creating research projects. Here, she shares three things she believes women with endometriosis can do to make a difference to their future health: Find a specialist – someone you can ask as many questions as you want, because if they are genuinely a specialist, they will not be afraid of answering questions. Don't feel like you have to do it alone. You have your medical team, but you also need a team outside of the hospital. It doesn't matter who it is, even if it's somebody online, just reach out. There are so many of us who are just happy to help even if it's just to talk. Keep going. When you get your diagnosis, you can think awesome, everything's going to change. But then you realise, that's just the start of it – you've got this wait list to get treatment and it can be a long slog. It's exhausting, but it's important that we do. You can follow Jen on Instagram at @jen.dometriosis and find out more at www.jenmoore.co.uk For more information on Newson Health, click here.

This week, Dr Louise is joined by Nicola McFarlane, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2023. Nicola shares the story of her MND diagnosis, as well as the barriers she faced in accessing treatment for perimenopause symptoms – including low mood, anxiety and recurrent UTIs – to improve her quality of life. Nicola talks about how health professionals often put her perimenopause symptoms (which pre-dated her MND diagnosis) down to her MND, and why she is sharing her own experiences to help other women living with MND and facing hormonal changes. For more information on Newson Health, click here.

On this week's episode Dr Louise is joined by Dr Marty Makary, Johns Hopkins professor, member of the National Academy of Medicine and bestselling author. Together they discuss the impact of the Women's Health Initiative study on women's hormone health, menopause education for healthcare professionals and the importance of patient-centred care that focuses on root causes, rather than just symptoms. Dr Marty talks about his new book Blind Spots, and the importance of asking big questions in medicine. You can follow Dr Marty on Instagram @martymakary, and TikTok @marty.makary For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, runs until 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.

Joining Dr Louise this week are Dr Tash Mirando and Dr June Tan Sheren, who are GPs based at Osler Health International in Singapore. Dr Tash and Dr June explain the pillars of lifestyle medicine, including sleep, nutrition and exercise, and talk about longevity and the importance of taking a holistic approach to menopause care. They also discuss menopause care in Singapore, bust myths on how menopause can affect women of different ethnicities and highlight the importance of knowledge and empowerment in making informed decisions about your health. You can find out more about Osler Health International on Instagram @oslerhealth.sg and Facebook at oslerhealthsingapore. For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, runs until 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.  

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women and this risk increases after the menopause, and a woman's risk of heart attack is around five times higher after the menopause than before*. Joining Louise on this week's podcast is Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon based in the US, to discuss heart health, hormones and menopause. They discuss the role of oestrogen in reducing inflammation in the body, why women typically present with different heart attack symptoms compared to men – and the signs to look out for – and the crucial role of nutrition and exercise in maintaining good heart health. Finally, Dr London shares his top three tips on what women (and men!) can do to help their future cardiac health: Don't smoke: it is the single worst thing you can do for your health in general. From a cardiac standpoint, from a blood vessel standpoint, for the risk of lung cancer. Nutrition: avoid processed foods and eat real, whole foods. Exercise and recovery: look to incorporate resistance training and some aerobic training, and don't forget about recovery and prioritising sleep. *El Khoudary, S.R. et al. (2020), Boardman, H. et al. (2015). Follow Dr London on Instagram @drjeremylondon For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, runs until 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.

In a special episode to mark World Menopause Month, and ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October, Dr Louise is joined by Dr Rebecca Lewis, co-founder of Newson Health. Together they cover some of the most frequently asked questions about perimenopause, menopause and HRT, including: When should I expect symptoms to improve after starting HRT? How long can I take HRT for? Plus advice on taking a holistic approach to menopause, tracking your symptoms, and talking to your healthcare professional. Dr Rebecca also suggests three things women and healthcare professionals should consider about hormones: Know there is a difference between older synthetic hormones and body identical, natural hormones Be aware of the health benefits of HRT  The importance of shared decision making and patient-centred care. You can download the balance app here, and the Easy HRT prescribing guide mentioned in the episode here. For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, runs until 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.

Joining Dr Louise on this week's episode is Victoria Faulkner, who was diagnosed with type one diabetes in childhood. Victoria talks about day to day life managing menopause and diabetes, as well as her experiences of a surgical menopause due to treatment for endometriosis. Finally she shares the three things she thinks women with type one diabetes should know about hormonal health, and what has helped her personally: Familiarise yourself with the NICE guidelines on diabetes and see what you can access to monitor your diabetes Use a body map to track your symptoms ahead of any appointments you have to help discussions on any symptoms you might be experiencing Ask your healthcare professional for a continuous glucose monitor to help monitor your blood sugars and spot any patterns, and if possible, push for a sensor augmented pump system to monitor any highs or lows. For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, takes place 27 September to 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.

Content advisory: this podcast contains themes of mental health and suicide Joining Dr Louise on the podcast this week is Linda Gask, retired psychiatrist and author of new book Out of Her Mind: How We Are Failing Women's Mental Health and What Must Change. In her book, Linda draws on the lived experiences of women, alongside expert commentators, recent history, current events, and her own personal and professional experience to look at women's mental healthcare today. Dr Louise and Linda discuss the challenges women face in accessing mental health treatment, the importance of understanding the impact of hormones on women's mental health, and the need for women to be listened to. Find out more about Linda's book here. For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, runs until 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here. Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

On this week's podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Dr Mohit Khera, a US-based leading urology specialist treating urinary tract disorders, male infertility, and male and female sexual dysfunction. They discuss the role of testosterone, the most biologically active hormone in the female body, why he believes testosterone is the best barometer of health of all hormones, and testosterone replacement. For more information about Dr Mohit, click here, and you can follow him on Instagram @ drmohitkhera. For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, takes place 27 September to 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.

Joining Dr Louise on this week's podcast are US-based Kristin Johnson and Maria Claps, authors of new book The Great Menopause Myth: The Truth on Mastering Midlife Hormonal Mayhem, Beating Uncomfortable Symptoms, and Aging to Thrive. Kristin and Maria share their own menopause stories, why they wanted to write a book to help others and why menopause can be the best time of your life. The pair also share the four things, besides hormones, that can help women during this time: Education Exercise Nourishing your body with the right foods Managing stress For more information on The Great Menopause Myth, which will be released in the UK on 26 September, click here. For more information on Newson Health, click here. Dr Louise Newson's first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, takes place 27 September to 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.

This week's episode is all about Dr Louise Newson Menopause Masterclass, a brand new video-led, one-stop guide to perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, Dr Louise chats to Kate Muir, journalist, author, documentary maker and menopause activist, who worked with Dr Louise on developing Menopause Masterclass. Together they discuss the inspiration behind Menopause Masterclass, topics covered, featured experts and why it's a must watch for everyone, whether you are menopausal, keen to be prepared for the future or simply want to know more to support loved ones. To find out more and to sign up to the Menopause Masterclass, click here. Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

Joining Dr Louise on this week's podcast is Melanie Verwoerd, political analyst, former member of parliament for the South African ANC party under Nelson Mandela, and former South African ambassador to Ireland. In this episode, Melanie shares her experience of radical hysterectomy, and her shock at just how little information is available to women before their operation. She tells Dr Louise how she is on a mission to close the information gap by chronicling her experiences in a book, Never Waste a Good Hysterectomy, followed by a podcast series of the same name. Dr Louise also shares her own experience of a having a hysterectomy, and together with Melanie offers advice to women who are preparing for surgery on what to expect. Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

In this week's episode Dr Louise is joined by one of her patients, Lesley Henry, a nurse who lives in Northern Ireland. Lesley shares her experience of menopause, which started before she received a diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Her treatment for cancer led to a surgical menopause, which she found debilitating. Lesley explains she feared her brain fog and fatigue would prevent her from returning to work and from caring for her mother. A firm believer in the importance of quality of life, Lesley decided to resume taking HRT. She hopes to help other women who are going through similar experiences and shares the things that have given her the strength to make decision about her treatment and her life: I have a faith. Not everybody will have the same faith as I have, and that's fine, but I think having a faith helps. Be proactive and find support groups. Through Action Cancer I learnt about scar therapy, which has helped, plus I completed a positive living programme to learn how to re-energise and rebuild my life. Be prepared to say goodbye to the old you. She's not coming back and in a way, she needs to go. Trust in yourself and listen to your heart. You are worthwhile and your life matters. Click here to find out more about Newson Health  

Menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the UK workforce, yet a 2022 survey by the Fawcett Society found one in ten women leave work due to their menopause symptoms. This week, Dr Louise is joined by Oonagh Ferson, who researched the experiences of perimenopausal and menopausal women in the workplace as part of her MSc in HR management at Queens University Belfast. Oonagh shares her research findings and some of the stories of women she interviewed, and with Dr Louise discusses the impact of perimenopause, menopause and other conditions such as PMS and PMDD in the workplace. Oonagh offers advice on how women can thrive at work, including the three things she believes would make the biggest difference to women in the workplace: A bottom up approach, where employers sit down with women and ask them: what would help you? What can we do? Even though it may be difficult at times, advocate for yourself: be open with your employer to secure the support or adjustments you need  Having open discussions, using clear language and avoiding terms like ‘the change', can help dispel the stigma around menopause   There is a chapter dedicated to menopause and the workplace in Dr Louise's bestselling book, The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause. Order your copy by clicking here. Click here for more about Newson Health.

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is once again joined by her friend, retired consultant urologist Steve Payne. Together they look at the similarities and differences in women and men's experiences of menopause and andropause, and the effect of low testosterone levels, including loss of libido and lust for life, lethargy, mood changes, depression and muscular weakness. They address the issues surrounding testosterone replacement and Steve questions if medical professionals can learn from the treatment of men with prostrate cancer with testosterone supplementations when treating women with breast cancer with hormones. Steve has written a factsheet about making informed decisions during cancer care. You can also read more about his and his wife Jan's experience, plus practical advice, here, and listen to the podcast  Making decisions about cancer treatment and the importance of quality of life with Steve Payne. Click here for more about Newson Health.

This week, Dr Louise is joined by Dr Claudia DeGiovanni, a consultant dermatologist with a keen interest in the menopause. Dr Claudia has published a four-part review on the effect of menopause on skin and hair and has carried out research into the effect of menopausal skin issues on quality of life. Here she talks about the prevalence of skin issues in menopause and their causes, the significance of oestrogen and what to look out for in products and what to avoid. Finally, she shares three tips for menopausal skin: If you have got significant skin problems, if it's affecting your quality of life, seek help, see your GP, see a dermatologist, get a diagnosis and find some accurate treatments because we will take you seriously. Look at your skincare routine and be aware of how your skin is changing. It's likely to become more sensitive so avoid harsh exfoliants or anything that strips the skin of moisture, and include a good quality SPF into your regime. When choosing products it's more important to look at the ingredients list, and choose quality ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, than buying those labelled for menopause. You can follow Dr Claudia on Instagram @dr.degiovanni_dermatology and read her paper on menopause and skin disorders here. There is a chapter dedicated to skin and hair in menopause in Dr Louise's bestselling book, The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause. Order your copy by clicking here. Click here for more about Newson Health.

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Dr Ceri Cashell, a GP in Australia who specialises in female hormonal health. After completing Newson Health's Confidence in Menopause course, Dr Ceri became passionate about educating both patients and fellow healthcare professionals about the importance of hormones, and busting myths around HRT. Here she talks about the advantages of longer consultations with patients and shares the things she thinks it's important for healthcare professionals to know so they can improve their care of perimenopausal and menopausal women:  Understand that menopause can affect women of a wide range of ages, and to consider perimenopause when you are presented with multiple-system symptom clusters. Simplify your HRT regime. Use body identical hormones, oestradiol patches, gels or sprays, micronised progesterone and consider testosterone. Understand that women don't all absorb medication through the skin the same so you may need to tweak the doses. Know that not all oestrogens and progestogens are the same. The oestrogen in body identical HRT on its own has been shown to reduce the lifetime risk of breast cancer, while the body identical progesterone is not associated with any increased risk of breast cancer in the best data. Testosterone is licensed for loss of libido, but in clinical practice does seem to really help other symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and can really be a gamechanger. If you do prescribe more HRT, you'll see the most transformational medicine that you've probably ever encountered. You can follow Dr Ceri on Instagram @drcericashell Find out more about the Confidence in Menopause course here and the balance app symptom checker mentioned on the podcast here Click here to find out more about Newson Health

This week Dr Louise is joined by sprinter Desirèe Henry who is representing Team GB at the Paris Olympics this year. Desirèe is no stranger to the Olympics – she was one of seven young athletes who lit the Olympic caldron at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Games, plus she took home a bronze medal in the 4 X 100m relay at the 2016 Rio Games. And she'll be heading to Paris on a high after being part of Team GB's gold medal-winning women's 4x100m relay team at the European Athletics Championships in Rome in June. Desirèe talks about the challenges of competing throughout the menstrual cycle and coping with heavy periods, plus the importance of talking openly about these issues, maintaining a healthy weight and body positivity. Finally, Desirèe shares three tips to help you lead a happier and healthier life: Set one goal every day. It doesn't have to be anything big, it could be drinking water or having a piece of fruit every day, but it's something that will add up over the week and benefit your lifestyle in a positive way. Try to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle. It could be watching a YouTube yoga video or anything that just allows your body to move, that increases blood flow around the body and helps you get in some extra stretching. Check in on other people more often. Just find out how they are and show them that somebody cares – you'll be appreciated. You can follow Desirèe on Instagram @desiree_lh Click here to find out more about Newson Health  

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Manisha Morgan, whose own experience of menopause led her to train as a nutritionist. Manisha offers support to women who are fed up with yo-yo dieting to build a positive relationship with food, lose weight, and lead a healthy lifestyle. She helps women learn mindset techniques to help improve self-confidence and implement habits that can lead to long-term success. Manisha talks about the importance of acknowledging cultural attitudes and approaches to food, and how genetic doesn't necessarily dictate your future health. Finally, Manisha shares three achievable goals: Manage your expectations, start small and then gradually build up. So for example, if you don't go for a walk, start going for a 20-minute walk and then maybe gradually increase that over a period of time. Start to include protein in every single meal that you're having, breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you're having three different meals, there are lots of different things that you can have. If you have a 'bad' day, don't let that throw you off. Just pick yourself up the next day and continue with whatever new habits you're establishing. You can follow Manisha on Instagram @manisha_your_nutritionist Click here to find out more about Newson Health.  

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Osama Naji, a Consultant Gynaecologist who is an expert in advanced gynaecological scanning at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. In this episode Osama shares his vast knowledge on fibroids – common, benign growths that usually develop during a woman's reproductive years when oestrogen levels are at their highest. He explains the impact menopause can have on fibroids, treatment options and the possibility of HRT. Finally, Osama advises on things to consider if you've recently been diagnosed with fibroids: Find out all the facts about your fibroid - number, location and size – as knowledge is power. You can usually get this from an ultrasound scan. Use that knowledge to get professional guidance about managing your fibroids. HRT is safe. The benefits of it usually outweigh the risks. The only thing to consider is if the fibroid is causing problems before starting HRT but even in this scenario, HRT may worth trying. If you experience rapid growth in the fibroids or accelerated symptoms seek help to determine the right treatment. Find out more about Osama here and read his feature on balance on fibroids and the menopause here. Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Dr Corinne Menn, a New York-based, board-certified OB-GYN and North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner, with more than 20 years of experience caring for women. When she was 28, Corinne was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following her BRCA2+ diagnosis, she underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy then navigated pregnancy and menopause plus longer term survivorship issues. Corinne received support from the Young Survival Coalition, an organisation that advocates for women under 40 with breast cancer, and worked with her oncologists to manage her pregnancy, menopause and treatment options. She feels passionately that women who have or have had breast cancer receive individualised care and treatment for their cancer and menopause symptoms, and shares three tips to help with quality of life:    Do not minimise your menopausal symptoms, your hot flushes, your night sweats, sleep etc. So whether you use hormonal therapy or non-hormonal medications, make sure you get help and can sleep so you function better and breaking the vicious cycle of spiralling menopausal symptoms. Please do not neglect vaginal sexual health. Again, if you can preserve a little bit of that, it can stop a negative cycle of suffering, of urinary tract infections and relationship and intimacy issues. Scheduling time to have a separate appointment with your oncologist and your GYN. Come prepared. Listen to Louise's podcast. Listen to Menopause in Cancer podcast and Instagram page. Be empowered because you and your quality of life are worth it. You can follow Corinne on Instagram at @drmennobgyn Click here to find out more about Newson Health.  

This week on the podcast with Dr Louise, Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sajjad Rajpar returns to talk about acne and its effect on women during the perimenopause and menopause, including on their self-confidence and mental health. Dr Saj explains the causes of acne and the different treatments available, including an encouraging new treatment that could make a big difference to acne sufferers in the long term. Finally, Dr Saj shares his three tips for anyone who might have acne: Keep skincare simple and targeted. Pick one of three active ingredients – retinoids, benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid – and give it three to six months to work. Only supplement it with a very simple supporting skincare regime. Assess the impact of the acne – if it is leaving persistent blemishes, pigmentation or scars, then escalate the treatment. If the first line treatment hasn't worked, give it three months and see a medical professional to try to get it under control because prevention of scars is so much easier than trying to reverse and cure them. Be mindful about all the different risk factors and triggers, and do not underestimate the impact of diet and stress. Where we can treat acne holistically, we should. You can follow Dr Saj on Instagram @dr.rajpar_dermatologist There is a chapter dedicated to skin and hair in menopause in Dr Louise's bestselling book, The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause, which includes expert contributions by Dr Saj. Order your copy by clicking here. Click here to find out more about Newson Health

About 28 million people in the UK are thought to be living with chronic pain – that's 43% of the population, according to the 2011 Census. But what is chronic pain, and how can it overlap with the perimenopause and menopause? In this week's episode Dr Louise is joined by Dr Deepak Ravindran, a consultant in pain medicine and author of The Pain-Free Mindset: 7 Steps to Taking Control and Overcoming Chronic Pain. Dr Deepak unpicks the science behind chronic, or persist, pain and the two discuss the relationship between hormones, inflammation and pain. Dr Louise and Dr Deepak have co-authored a new article which offers 10 top tips for primary care practitioners on improving care for women with fatigue and/or pain. You can access the article here. Follow Dr Deepak on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Click here to find out more about Newson Health

This week on the podcast Dr Louise meets comedian Anne Gildea, who will be joining Louise on her 34-date theatre tour this autumn, Hormones and Menopause: The Great Debate. Anne, a founding member of Irish musical-comedy trio The Nualas talks to Louise about her diagnosis of breast cancer, aged 45, and her ensuing menopausal symptoms, which she was unprepared for. She explains how her research inspired her to create her own show, How to Get the Menopause and Enjoy It. Louise and Anne discuss why they've come together to create a new show that will take you on a journey through the history of women's health and lead you to see menopause and hormones in a whole different light. Finally, the pair share some of the reasons they think people should come to the show: It'll be a wonderful night out - a real sharing experience where you can also have a laugh. There'll be lots to learn with new content and a sharing of knowledge. You'll be able to ask questions and gets answers. Some shows will also have doctors available in the interval but Louise will answer questions on the stage as well. You can follow Anne on Instagram @annegildea   To buy tickets to the show click here Click here to find out more about Newson Health  

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Elin Sullivan, a young woman who suffered a myriad of symptoms for years before getting the right treatment. Elin first experienced recurring urinary tract infections at 19 years old, and twice required hospitalisation. She also suffered from sweats, sleep disruption and fatigue, shaking and lichen sclerosus. After a chance encounter with Louise, she tried local HRT, which was transformative, and now takes testosterone to balance her low levels. Elin talks about how hard it can be to experience perimenopausal symptoms at a young age and shares her tips for other younger women experiencing issues that they think might be down to their hormones:   Although it can feel really hard, don't stop advocating for yourself. You may have self-doubt or worry that you're wrong but keep pushing. My doctor was sick of seeing me, I was there probably every week, but don't give up. Rather than just giving your doctor a list of your symptoms, show them when they were happening as well. Have a log of symptoms and anything that might have affected them on that day. This will help your doctor rule out things but also show if your diet, etc, has an influence. Don't be scared to try medications or suggestions. It might help but if it doesn't it can potentially help your doctor decide the next step. I never believed local HRT could make such a big difference but am so glad I tried it. Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

This week on the podcast Dr Louise is joined by Dr Felice Gersh, who is double board-certified in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine, and specialises in female health, with a focus on managing female hormonal dysfunctions. She is the author of the book PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist's Lifeline to Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness, and recently published a paper on oestrogen and cardiovascular disease, and a 2021 paper on HRT. Here she talks about the family of oestrogens and the important role of hormones on the heart. Finally, she shares three tips on improving heart and whole body health: Eat a lot of phytoestrogen-containing foods - so every kind of plant in all the different colours, including beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables. They are nature's gift to us. Sunlight is like happy medicine. Try to get sunlight in the morning, midday and watch the sunset every chance you get. This will help you to sleep better, make more serotonin, and help to set your master clock in your brain, which tends to drift when we lose our oestrogen production. Move. Your fitness status is more predictive of healthy longevity than your blood pressure. Think of your fitness, strength, flexibility and balance as a critical part of your life so get active in every way you can. You can follow Dr Felice on Instagram @felicegershmd. Click here for more about Newson Health.

This week Dr Louise is joined by Aoife O'Sullivan, a family medicine doctor who trained in Dublin before completing a second family medicine residency at the University of Maryland.   After taking some time out to complete extra training in perimenopausal and menopausal care, including Newson Health's Confidence in the Menopause course, Dr Aoife is passionate about providing more comprehensive and holistic care to women during midlife.   Dr Aoife share the ways clinicians, and all people, can educate themselves in order to improve the health of women in the US, and across the world: Take every opportunity to learn and educate. So join any local healthcare Facebook groups and pass on links to the Confidence in the Menopause website, the balance app, etc. Even if you reach one or two people like that, it will make a difference and they might reach another one or two people. Share small bites of information because it can be a little overwhelming. So when you're trying to reach somebody, give them small amounts of information at a time. Harness the power of friends. If everyone informs their friends and they all go to their doctors, obstetricians, gynaecologists and urologists, and ask questions, it will fuel discussion and increase knowledge. You can follow Dr Aoife on Instagram @portlandmenopausedoc Find out more about the Confidence in the Menopause course and click here for more about Newson Health.    

This week on the podcast Dr Louise is joined by a new colleague, Dr Louisa James, a psychiatrist who has recently joined the team at Newson Health. Dr Louisa's personal experience of the menopause prompted her to learn more about the impact of hormones, and incorporate her knowledge in her role as an NHS consultant psychiatrist in a home treatment service. Here she discusses the importance, and power, of asking patients about their hormones during a psychiatric appointment. Finally, Dr Louisa shares her tips for thinking about your hormones alongside your mental health: 1.Consider whether this feels different to any previous episodes of depression you may have experienced or if your symptoms are fluctuating. Some women have suicidal thoughts or are depressed at certain times of the month. Track your symptoms and look at the fluctuations. Your history can affect your menopause. If you've had an episode of postnatal depression or PMDD, then you're more likely to experience mental health difficulties in the perimenopause. How do you feel about your life? Lack of joy rather than a sadness, the emotional lability, is often greater with a hormonal mental health problem whereas irritability, rage and impulsiveness can be greater with mental health problems. Dr Louisa James is now offering consultations to existing Newson Health patients. Click here for details.    

This week is a celebration of Dr Louise Newson's new paperback book, a revised and updated version of the bestselling The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause & Menopause. Dr Louise is joined by Kat Keogh, who worked on the book with her and is the head of editorial at Newson Health and across the balance website and app. Here Kat turns the tables and asks Dr Louise the questions, discovering why the subject of HRT doses warranted more attention in the book, the importance of hearing directly from women experiencing the menopause as well as experts in their fields, plus how Louise felt sharing her personal experiences. Finally, Dr Louise shares three reasons she thinks people should buy the book: The bright yellow cover is uplifting, and when you're happier you're healthier. It's packed with information so you'll learn something that will either help you or a loved one. Increasing awareness of hormones, perimenopause, menopause, plus PMS and PMDD will help women feel less lonely, more included and more listened to. Pre-order the paperback book here Click here to find out more about Newson Health.  

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Tova Gillespie, a working single parent to two daughters, one of whom has severe disabilities and complex medical needs. Here she talks about the challenges of being perimenopausal while being a carer and how it's easy to not recognise or understand your symptoms.   Louise and Tova discuss how it's easy for your own needs to end up at the bottom of the to-do list when you're a carer or have a busy family life, and Tova shares three tips for anyone who may not be looking after themselves: Learn to ask for and accept help. People want to help, but very often they don't know how to offer it and our usual response can be ‘no, I don't need anything'. Instead, say straight out: ‘Please do my washing up. Or I have five loads of clean laundry that needs sorting. Or can you bring over some food?' Anything really. If your health isn't what it should be, go to your GP. When you ring your GP, ask for an appointment to talk about perimenopause and hormones. They'll know from the get go what it is you're after and if they have anyone in the clinic with an interest in that area, they'll put you in with that person. Try to see the good every day. I do gratitude journalling, where I write down a minimum of three positive things that have happened that day, and they're not big. It could be the sun is shining. It could be the taste of that first sip of coffee in the morning. I train myself to look for the positive because it's so easy to get overwhelmed in the bad stuff. Learn more about Tova on her YouTube channel. Or follow her on Instagram @parentXP Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

This week on the podcast, journalist Bryony Gordon, bestselling author of several books including her latest, Mad Woman, explains how the perimenopause caused her to reconsider her mental health. Was her experience of OCD affected by her hormones and what would society look like if women's health was taken more seriously? Bryony shares her belief that there's a 'witchy magic' to menopause and that the issues it brings are the ones that you need to deal with and there is power in doing so. Finally, Bryony shares three bits of advice to any woman being dismissed with 'it's just your hormones': Don't dismiss yourself. Don't discount your point of view or feelings just because they are yours. Maybe sometimes you're right, maybe sometimes you're wrong - that's OK. It's OK sometimes to be bad. We all are. It's just society wants us to live as women in a way that isn't very human. Confidence is a trick. No one has confidence. I don't have confidence. I just have a will and a desperation not to spend the rest of my life hating on myself because it's such a waste of energy. Follow Bryony on Instagram @bryonygordon her community organisation @Mental Health Mates Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

This week, Dr Louise is once again joined by journalist and activist Kate Muir, who made the Davina McCall documentary Sex, Myths and the Menopause. In Kate's new book, Everything You Need to Know About the Pill (but were too afraid to ask), she turns her attention to the hormones commonly used in the contraceptive pill. Kate shares personal stories of how women have been negatively affected by synthetic hormones and uncovers the bad science and patriarchy that have had such an impact on women's health. She also offers hope that women have options and can demand change. Finally, Kate shares three things every women should know about hormones and the pill: Progestins are not all the same. Some of them are androgenic and some of them are oestrogenic, and they have very different effects. So, women can be on the wrong pill for them. You can always take a pill holiday. There's nothing wrong with taking a few months off and seeing how you feel. And you may be a different person, or there may be other reasons for why you are in that state of mental health. There needs to be more research into every bit of what synthetic hormones do in our bodies, and particularly in our minds. You can follow Kate on Instagram at @muirka and on @pillscandal Click here to find out more about Newson Health.

This week we mark 250 episodes of the Dr Louise Newson Podcast! And joining Dr Louise this week is Anita Nicholson, a nurse practitioner and menopause expert at Age Management Center in the US, where she aims to help patients lead the best quality of life for as long as they can. Here, Dr Louise and Anita compare notes on the attitudes towards testosterone in the UK and the US, share their clinical experience of the benefits it can provide women, particularly in restoring their zest for life. Finally, Anita shares three things she thinks could make a huge difference to women's health: Women need to educate themselves. They have to be their own advocate. I would love for hormones to become available and affordable. In the US, we don't even have vaginal oestrogen covered by some insurance here, never mind over-the-counter access. More education of healthcare providers. So have a fellowship in menopause. Let's start very early with med students and nurse practitioner students so they understand that menopause and sexual medicine is very important for our life span and our health span. You can follow Anita on Instagram @menopause_agewellfnp and the Age Management Center on Facebook /AgeManagementCenter and YouTube /@agemanagementcenter. Click here for more information about Newson Health    

The Dr Louise Newson Podcast is celebrating two huge milestones this week: not only is the podcast five years old, we've hit six million downloads since Dr Louise started her podcast back in March 2019! Making a welcome return to the podcast this week is world-renowned neuroscientist Dr Lisa Mosconi, PhD. Her new book, The Menopause Brain is released on 21 March and in it Dr Lisa shares some of the fascinating changes that occur to the brain during menopause. In this episode, Dr Lisa explains how our understanding of the importance of hormones' role in the brain is relatively new – man was walking on the moon almost 30 years before scientists realised that the hormones that play an important part in ovarian function also have a fundamental role in the brain. She explains that she wrote her book to empower women with the information they need to navigate the menopause – by understanding why your brain might feel foggy and the science behind it, she hopes to reassure and enlighten. You can follow Dr Lisa Mosconi on Instagram @dr_mosconi Click here to find out more about Newson Health