The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

079 - Media & the Menopause - Nadia Sawalha & Dr Louise Newson

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Nadia Sawalha. Nadia is a well-known British actress and TV presenter and has been part of Loose Women from the outset. While talking to Dr Newson, Nadia is very open and candid about her menopause experience and how frightened she was. She talks about how she has always been a very positive and outgoing person and found herself becoming very negative and argumentative. She has had some very dark thoughts which, understandably, were very scary to her. 

Nadia talks to Dr Newson about how little she knew about menopause in the past and how important it is that women have access to evidence-based information and treatment. Nadia is determined to talk more openly going forwards to educate more women about the symptoms and also the numerous health risks associated with low hormone levels. 

Nadia Sawalha's Three Take Home Tips:

1. As women we have to talk about it, share information and be open to changing our minds about the menopause and HRT.
2. Spread positive messages and don't be judgemental about the choices of other women.
3. We need to challenge the myths and negativity surrounding the menopause and HRT. 

 

078 - Urogenital Symptoms of the Menopause - Lavinia Winch & Dr Louise Newson

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Lavinia Winch, Ambassador for YES organic vaginal moisturisers and lubricants and a patient representative for all aspects of women’s gynaecological health, but especially for menopausal urogenital symptoms.  

Lavinia shares her story and talks openly about the 30 years of misdiagnosed vaginal and vulval symptoms which were eventually resolved by choosing responsibly formulated lubricants and vaginal moisturisers. Also touched on is Lavinia’s diagnosis of endometrial cancer, and the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms, of which the most common is post-menopausal bleeding.  

Dr Newson and Lavinia discuss the lack of progress since 2000 in terms of healthcare professionals’ training and treatment of menopausal symptoms, both for vaginal health and for the wider range of symptoms. 

The difference between bio-identical unregulated hormone therapy and the regulated body identical HRT available on the NHS is another topic covered, and the importance of women using self-knowledge and seeking evidence-based information in order to work collaboratively with GPs to reach individualised solutions. 

Lavinia’s Three Take Home Tips:

1. Be aware of the main menopausal symptoms but particularly those relating to urogenital function.
2. Learn about the make-up of our vaginas and vulvas and how to maintain a healthy intimate environment.
3. Seek out a GP or specialist who has a real interest in women’s health and continue until you get the help and support that’s right for you. Don’t give up! 

077 - Spoon-Fed: Food & Tim Spector - Tim Spector & Dr Louise Newson

Tim Spector is a Professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College in London and also co-founder of Zoe. In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson talks to Tim about his newly published book, Spoon-Fed. This ground-breaking and informative book really leads the reader to question their current diet and their relationship with food.

Dr Newson and Tim discuss the importance of gut health and gut biodiversity, in particular with respect to our mental and physical health. Many diseases could be prevented by having the right knowledge of food and cooking from scratch rather than eating processed foods. They also talk about simple ways to improve health and nutrition. We are all individuals and our way of eating can be individualised to optimise our health. 

Tim Spector's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Try and eat 30 plants a week, that includes nuts, seeds and herbs. Think diverse!
2. Have some fermented foods every day. Think the Three K's: Kombucha, Kefir and Kimchi but also yoghurt and cheese.
3.  Look at fasting and the timing of how you eat. The longer you can rest your microbes overnight, the better your metabolism is. Trying to rest between 12 and 14 hours a night can really help you.

Click here to find out more about Tim's new book 'Spoon-Fed'

Find Tim on Instagram: @tim.spector

Twitter: @timspector

076 - Menopause and Employment Law - Victoria Duddles & Dr Louise Newson

Dr Louise Newson is delighted to welcome Victoria Duddles, solicitor and Principal Associate at Weightmans LLP.  Dr Newson and Victoria Duddles first met when they were both guest speakers at a Birmingham CIPD event all about menopause in the workplace.

In this podcast, Victoria talks with Dr Newson about the employment law implications for employers when managing and supporting women in the workplace who are going through the menopause and in particular how the Equality Act 2010 may apply.

Victoria Duddles' Three Take Home Tips for employers:

1. Put in place menopause policies and training and communicate these with your workforce.
2. Make sure the menopause conversation is open for all staff, but especially for those during discussions about performance or absence.
3. There are lots of resources available for employers, from bodies such as CIPD and ACAS. As a manger or even supervisor, you can look at these and educate yourself on how to best support the women in your workplace.

Instagram: @weightmans_law

075 - Premature Menopause & Fertility - Dr Rebecca Gibbs & Dr Louise Newson

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Rebecca Gibbs, an Obstetrics and Gynaecological Consultant at The Royal Free Hospital in London. Dr Gibbs is also an ambassador for The Daisy Network, a charity dedicated to providing information and support to women diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

In this podcast, Dr Gibbs and Dr Newson have an in-depth conversation about the challenges of being diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (premature menopause) whilst going through fertility treatment. They also discuss the reality of menopause education for gynaecologists in the U.K. and why it’s so important that women take their HRT when diagnosed with the menopause younger than expected. 

Dr Rebecca Gibbs' Three Take Home Tips for women dealing with POI:

1. Take your HRT. You may well feel much better. 
2. Take your HRT. It’ll prevent long term health problems.
3. Don’t be afraid to push for the help that you need when dealing with healthcare professionals.

Find out more about The Daisy Network: www.daisynetwork.org

admin@daisynetwork.org.uk 

074 - HRT Prescriptions in England - Dr Sarah Hillman & Dr Louise Newson

In this episode of the Newson Health podcast series, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Sarah Hillman, a GP and clinical lecturer in Primary Care at the University of Warwick.

Sarah talks about a piece of research she has recently published that looks at HRT prescriptions in England. The research shows that women in deprived areas are less likely to be prescribed HRT and Sarah talks to Dr Newson about why this matters. 

Sarah and Dr Newson also discuss a menopause event at Warwick University and how important engagement is within women’s workplaces. 

Dr Sarah Hillman's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Speak to your GP about your menopause, and ask which GP has an interest in women’s health.
2. Have a look online for evidence-based research. including the new Balance app.
3. Make time to think about your body and how to get help through the menopause, it’s hard to always find time, but you need to be well in order to look after others and function at work.   

073 - Menopause in the Media - Kaye Adams & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Kaye Adams, a radio and television presenter and regular panellist on ITV's Loose Women. Kaye has recently co-authored the book called Still Hot in which 42 women have written about their own menopause experiences. 

Kaye and Dr Newson talk about the ways journalists and the media obtain their information and how, for many years, any information they have obtained about the menopause has been incorrect. They also discuss how the incorrect prescribing of antidepressants is so common for menopausal women and how this can be reduced in the future. 

Kaye talks openly about her own menopause experience and the reservations she had. She talks about how she came to consider HRT because she's the type of person who needs to read and ascertain the research, which she found to be so different from what she, like many women, had wrongly been told in the past. 

Kaye's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Don't feel like you have to keep your head down and soldier on. 
2. Stand back and take the time to really assess how you are feeling and what you need to feel better.
3. Prioritise yourself and don't feel selfish for taking that time for you!

Follow Kaye on Instagram: @kayeadamsofficial

Twitter: @kayeadams

Facebook: @kayeadamsprogramme

072 - The Menopause Charity - Vanessa Barnes & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson chats with Vanessa Barnes, fellow trustee and Chief Executive of their newly formed Menopause Charity. 

Vanessa describes in detail her own menopause journey and her experiences of being perimenopausal and how she came to first meet Louise when trying to find treatment for herself over three years ago.  Louise and Vanessa discuss the lack of information, knowledge and awareness surrounding the perimenopause and menopause and the apparent stigma attached to it. There is a very real need for this to be addressed and Louise and Vanessa explain how The Menopause Charity can help to do this. 

Louise and Vanessa also discuss the wider impact of oestrogen deficiency and the general lack of information and knowledge about the very vital part that oestrogen plays in women’s health. The need for a menopause charity to be set up is something that Louise has been thinking about for some time and now, thanks to the collaboration and efforts from a wide variety of people who are working on The Menopause Charity team, Louise and Vanessa are hugely excited to be in the position where they have now received official registration as a charity from the Charity Commission! The whole team are looking forward to the future and getting the funding needed to get The Menopause Charity website built and to start the process of helping more women to get the support, information and help that they deserve. 

Click here to find out more about The Menopause Charity 

Vanessa’s Take Home Tips about why The Menopause Charity is essential: 

1. The Menopause Charity will benefit millions of women and will make a positive impact on the lives of so many perimenopausal and menopausal women (and indirectly on their partners!) 
2. The Menopause Charity has been set up by a very special team of people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and skill sets but who are all united in their passion to improve the quality of menopause care are raise awareness about it. As a result of this collaborative effort, this expert team will work to ensure that The Menopause Charity will be the very best that it can be. 
3. The Menopause Charity is essential as it will raise awareness about the menopause and will help to remove the stigma attached to it.  Through the charity, we will encourage society to embrace the change! 

071 - Women’s Health Magazine - Claire Sanderson & Dr Louise Newson

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson talks to Claire Sanderson, the editor-in-chief for Women's Health magazine. Claire talks openly about her mental health and the struggles she has faced in the past in the past. She also talks with Dr Newson about the perimenopause and how so many women are incorrectly offered or given antidepressants for their low mood - a symptom that usually occurs as a result of changing hormone levels. 

Dr Newson and Claire discuss how HRT can be beneficial for so many women and they also explore the benefits of regular exercise and nutrition. Claire talks about ways that celebrities can help to empower women with knowledge about their perimenopause and menopause and give them confidence that taking HRT is not something to be scared of. Together, they also talk about sexuality and body confidence issues related to low hormone levels. 

Claire Sanderson's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Find evidence-based information, such as that on menopausedoctor.co.uk, and take it to your doctor. You can demand the right treatment, don't be deterred.
2. Look at your health generally, the changes you make now can benefit you for the rest of your life. Do you need help managing your weight, sleep etc? Put yourself first, preserve your armour so you're ready for battle!
3. Speak to your friends and the women around you. Lean on your squad and be open and honest - others around you may be struggling too and you can help each other.

Find Claire on Instagram: @clairesanderson

Twitter: @c_l_sanderson

www.womenshealthmag.com

070 - Bone Health & World Osteoporosis Day - Julia Thomson & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast released on World Osteoporosis Day, Dr Louise Newson welcomes Julia Thomson, who manages the Royal Osteoporosis Society's Specialist Nurses Helpline.

Together, they discuss what exactly osteoporosis is and identify some of the major risk factors of osteoporosis. Julia and Dr Newson also talk about the various treatments options available for people at high risk of fracture; including hormonal therapies and non hormonal treatments such as bisphosphonates. DEXA scans are also an effective method of diagnosing osteoporosis and Julia discusses this along with the importance of a well balanced, calcium rich diet and regular exercise throughout life.

Dr Newson chats to Julia about her work at The Royal Osteoporosis Society and what the charity can offer people with concerns about their bone health and World Osteoporosis Day.

Julia's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Make sure you and your family are getting the nutrition you need to keep your bones healthy.  
2. Remember that bone likes to be exercised! Always try to keep as active as you can.
3. Talk to your GP if you feel you may be at risk of osteoporosis.

Find out more about The Royal Osteoporosis Society here.