The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
Dr Louise Newson
Dr Louise Newson is an award-winning physician, respected women’s hormone specialist, educator, and author committed to increasing awareness and knowledge of perimenopause, menopause, and lifelong hormone health. Each week, Louise dives into the newest research, treatments and hot topic issues, providing accessible, evidence-based information to empower your future health. Joined by fellow experts and special guests, with answers to your burning questions, Louise explores how hormones impact every aspect of our lives.
Described as the “medic who kickstarted the menopause revolution”, Louise aims to empower a generation of women to have a greater understanding, choice and control over their treatment, bodies, minds and future health through their hormones. She is the creator of the award-winning free balance app, a Sunday Times bestselling author and the founder of the Newson Health clinic. With over three decades of clinical experience, Louise is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs, a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge, a regular contributor to academic journals including the Lancet and the British Journal of General Practice, and has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Health from Bradford University.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group.
Described as the “medic who kickstarted the menopause revolution”, Louise aims to empower a generation of women to have a greater understanding, choice and control over their treatment, bodies, minds and future health through their hormones. She is the creator of the award-winning free balance app, a Sunday Times bestselling author and the founder of the Newson Health clinic. With over three decades of clinical experience, Louise is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs, a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge, a regular contributor to academic journals including the Lancet and the British Journal of General Practice, and has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Health from Bradford University.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 17, 2020 • 35min
039 - Oestrogen Matters - Dr Avrum Bluming & Dr Louise Newson
Avrum Bluming was a clinical professor of medical oncology at the University of Southern California and spent four years as a senior investigator for the National Cancer Institute. For more than two decades he has been studying the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy administered to women with a history of breast cancer. He is also the co-author of the book “Oestrogen Matters”.
In this podcast, Dr Newson talks to Avrum about the numerous health benefits of oestrogen in women, including reducing future risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia. It is a very sobering thought that as many women die from osteoporosis as breast cancer, yet so many women are denied oestrogen in HRT for the wrong reasons. Avrum's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer many years ago and he talks about treatments for breast cancer which can lead to an early menopause.
https://estrogenmatters.com
Avrum Bluming's Three Take Home Tips About HRT:
If every woman in the US started HRT, the median life expectancy of women would extend by 3.3 years
If you ever hear "If you must take hormones, then take the smallest dose possible for the shortest period of time" - there is no scientific support for this! Women can take HRT for as long as they need.
Some of the benefits of HRT, particularly for your bones, last as long as you continue to take it. If you stop taking the hormones, bone degeneration occurs at an accelerated pace.
Mar 10, 2020 • 30min
038 - Research on Testosterone & Menopause - Lauren Redfern & Dr Louise Newson
In this week's podcast, Dr Newson is joined by Lauren Redfern, a researcher who has been exploring the experiences of women using testosterone as part of their HRT treatment. Lauren has been spending time at Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre over the past year observing many different aspects of women’s care; from the moment they make contact with the team right through to their consultation. She is interested in hearing stories from women first hand about their treatment journey and is particularly interested in the gendered aspects of hormonal care. Lauren hopes that her work will provide insight into the realities facing women negotiating menopausal care in the UK today; something that she feels is currently vastly underrepresented in both social and public health research.
If you would like to know more about Lauren’s research you can visit her website www.laurenredfernwrites.com or follow her on Instagram @laurenredfernwrites where she posts about everything from the history of hormones to updates on her research.
Lauren's Top Three Facts about Testosterone and Menopause care:
Time is an underestimated benefit in healthcare. Women need longer than 10 minutes to adequately explain their symptoms to a doctor.
Menopause isn't just hot flushes and something to "get through" - the symptoms can have a massive impact on a woman's life.
Testosterone is not just the male hormone, it is essential for re-balancing female systems, just as it is for men.
Newson Health Research & Education
Mar 3, 2020 • 31min
037 - Ageing Well, Menopause and Yoga - Claudia Brown & Dr Louise Newson
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by yoga teacher, Claudia Brown who runs workshops at Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. Claudia is an Om Yoga magazine columnist and runs classes, workshops and retreats in the West Midlands. She also works with professional footballers, teaching yoga at Doncaster Rovers Football Club! Together, Dr Newson and Claudia discuss ageing well and the menopause, demystifying meditation, how yoga is more than physical postures and why everyone should give it a try.
Claudia's Top Three Tips for beginning your yoga journey:
Just do it! Don't be afraid to start, ask for recommendations and try different classes to find the right teacher.
Don't get caught up in buying the right outfit or equipment. You can practice yoga in just about anything!
Don't talk yourself out of it because of your body size - it isn't relevant to your strength or how your body moves. You will always be among friends in a yoga studio.
www.yogabyclaudia.com
Twitter – yogabyclaudia
Instgram – yogabyclaudia
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yogabyclaudiauk/
To find out more about Claudia's yoga workshops at Newson Health, or to book your place, click here.
Feb 25, 2020 • 30min
036 - Sex and the Menopause - Samantha Evans & Dr Louise Newson
In this engaging discussion, sexual health expert Samantha Evans shares her insights on the challenges women face regarding libido and intimacy during menopause. With a nursing background and co-owner of Jo Divine, she emphasizes the importance of communication with partners and provides practical tips, such as using appropriate lubricants and even introducing sex toys. The conversation also tackles the stigma surrounding female sexuality, advocating for openness and education to enhance intimacy and sexual wellbeing during this significant life transition.
Feb 18, 2020 • 26min
035 - Hair Loss and Hormones - Dr Sajjad Rajpar & Dr Louise Newson
In this week's podcast, Dr Newson is speaking with consultant dermatologist, Dr Sajjad Rajpar all about hair. Hair changes can be very common during the perimenopause and menopause. Dr Rajpar eloquently explains how our hormones are important with respect to hair growth and also hair texture. They discuss in detail reasons why women experience hair loss and the importance of having a holistic consultation to explore reasons why hair changes. Dr Rajpar talks about the different treatment options and provides some simple advice which will help us all regarding our hair.
Find out more about Dr Sajjad Rajpar here: https://belgraviadermatology.co.uk/
Dr Rajpar's Three Take Home Tips to help reduce hair loss:
Avoid any tight hairstyles. If you can leave your hair down, it will help.
Think about the health of your scalp too, it may be drier due to low oestrogen levels during the perimenopause and menopause.
If you are suffering with brittle hair then by sensible with heat and styling tools.
Feb 11, 2020 • 31min
034 - Menopause Taboo in Women from Different Ethnic Groups - Dr Nighat Arif & Dr Louise Newson
Dr Nighat Arif is a GP with a specialist interest in women’s health, based in Buckinghamshire. In this week's podcast, Dr Nighat Arif talks openly with Dr Newson about her work educating and empowering women from different ethnic groups about the menopause. Many women from ethnic minorities think the menopause is a condition that only affects Caucasian women or it is a western phenomenon. However, it is well known that many women are experiencing symptoms such as pains in their bodies, “head to toe pain”, low mood and anxiety which are being misdiagnosed and inappropriately managed as these symptoms are not being linked to the menopause. Although language is often a barrier to consultations with a healthcare professional, there are also many cultural differences that need to be explored. Many women’s health issues, including the menopause, are kept “under the veil” and not spoken about. In this episode, Dr Newson and Dr Arif also talk about other taboo subjects such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and how that affects marital relationships in a conservative community.
Dr Nighat Arif offers three take home tips in Punjabi to help break down barriers and empower women from South Asian Communities to not accept their menopausal symptoms and suffer in silence.
Dr Nighat Arif's Three Top Tips:
For all women, please keep a symptom diary. No symptom is silly and this is useful to your doctor during the 10-minute consultation.
Never deny yourself treatment, there are always risks and benefits to every treatment and only your health and wellbeing will suffer if you don't seek help.
Don't suffer in silence!
Feb 4, 2020 • 31min
033 - Bone Health, Osteoporosis & the Menopause - Professor David Reid & Dr Louise Newson
In this week's podcast, Dr Newson is joined by Professor David Reid, Consultant Rheumatologist and Osteoporosis Specialist at the University of Aberdeen. Professor Reid is also the Senior Medical Adviser and Fundraising Ambassador for the Royal Osteoporosis Bone Research Academy.
Bone density reduces as our hormone levels lower, as a result of the perimenopause and menopause. Around one in three menopausal women will have a osteoporotic hip fracture so it is essential we are all thinking about ways of improving bone density and reducing future risk of developing osteoporosis. In this episode, Dr Newson and Professor Reid talk about what osteoporosis is, how to diagnose it and also ways of increasing our bone density.
Professor David Reid's Three Top Tips for Bone Health:
For people in their 20s and 30s, don't worry too much about your bone health - take plenty of exercise and eat well, this is the best way to prevent any future problems.
For women going through the menopause, now is the time to start thinking about your bones. Take preventative measures such as reducing your alcohol intake and stop smoking. Consider a DEXA scan to measure your bone density.
For elderly people, try regular weight bearing exercise and get the required amount of Vitamin D and Calcium, be careful to ensure your home is safe from trip hazards that can result in fractures.
Jan 28, 2020 • 32min
032 - Taking HRT Forever - Ann Newson & Dr Louise Newson
In this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson has an open discussion with her mother, Ann Newson, about her personal views regarding taking HRT. Over 30 years ago, Ann was experiencing symptoms of severe fatigue which were negatively affecting her ability at work, prompting her GP to give her a prescription for HRT. Ann was then told that she was going through “The Change” but had no idea what that meant! The menopause was never spoken about at that time and she was given no information about it. However, taking HRT gave Ann her life back and her energy levels vastly improved. Fast forward to today and Ann is delighted to have learnt so much about the menopause from her daughter, Louise. In this episode, Ann also explains how many of her friends have developed breast cancer over the years despite none of them taking HRT. She strongly feels that women should be given a choice regarding hormone therapy and how she plans to stay on her HRT forever!
Ann Newson's Three Take Home Tips:
Carry on! If you're happy with your HRT then you don't have to stop taking it
If you are feeling low, don't think that you're not menopausal just because you aren't experiencing hot flushes and night sweats.
Don't be frightened of HRT, it can be life-changing!
Jan 21, 2020 • 27min
031 - Pelvic Floor Health - Jane Simpson & Dr Louise Newson
This week, Dr Newson is joined by Jane Simpson, a continence nurse specialist who works from The London Clinic in Harley Street.
In this episode, Jane and Dr Newson discuss all aspects of pelvic floor health relating to the menopause, including stress incontinence, an overactive bladder (key in the door syndrome!), vaginal dryness/atrophy, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation and the bowels and last but not least the pelvic floor and how menopause can affect our sex lives.
You can find Jane at www.thepelvicfloorbible.com and on Instagram @jane_thepelvicfloorbible.
Jane's Three Take Home Tips for pelvic Floor Health:
Make sure you are exercising the correct muscles
Once you're sure that you are, make sure you do it regularly
If you are unsure or think there could be a problem, then please seek help!
Jan 14, 2020 • 35min
030 - Early Menopause and POI - Dr Sarah Ball and Dr Louise Newson
In this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Sarah Ball, a GP with a special interest in the menopause. Together, they talk all about early menopause and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) which affects women under 45 years. In the UK, around one in 100 women under 40 experience an early menopause yet many of these women are not diagnosed nor do they receive evidence-based advice and treatment. It is essential that these women receive replacement hormones at least until the age of 51 (the average age of the menopause) unless there are medical contra-indications to taking hormones. Dr Newson and Dr Ball discuss the health risks of untreated early menopause and POI and also the different ways in which women can receive individualised help and treatment.
Dr Sarah Ball's Three Take Home Tips:
Early menopause is a different experience - it is essential to replace your hormones
Your fertility still does need to be considered
Don't feel isolated! Find some support, there are others out there experiencing the same thing.
Click here to watch Dr Louise Newson discuss early menopause and POI.
