The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

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.

069 - Managing Menopause as a New GP - Gregory Monk & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Gregory Monk, a newly qualified GP.

Gregory chats to Dr Newson about his experience dealing with the menopause so far in his career and during his training. They go on to discuss Gregory's perspective of the menopause how this has changed during his time as a GP - particularly his perception of HRT and how Dr Newson's work has been a key factor in this.

Dr Newson and Gregory also talk about the importance of GPs learning and understanding more about the menopause and the need for HRT to be considered a low risk treatment with significant health benefits - rather than a high risk treatment surrounded by negativity and fear.  Gregory also stresses  that it should not matter whether your doctor is a man or woman; all doctors should be able to offer a good standard of menopause care to women. 

Dr Gregory Monk's Three Take Home Tips:

1. For Patients - Keep Knocking On The Door! There is increasing awareness of menopause in primary care and the health benefits of treating it. If you think you are having troubles related to the menopause, go and see your doctor!
2. For Health Professionals - You are never too experienced to put your hand up and ask for help. Information regarding the menopause, its diagnosis, treatment options and safety are getting more and more accessible. Take the opportunity to use some of the great resources out there and consider the benefits of treatments rather than just the risks .

3. For Everyone - Talk about it. The more you talk about it, the more doctors will talk about it and the more doctors talk about it, the better menopause care will be. 

068 - Going Through a Teenage Menopause - Ellie Waters & Dr Louise Newson

When Ellie Waters was 14 years old, she was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer that required intensive and lengthy treatment. The interventions saved her life, but they also stopped her ovaries working for good. With little menopause information or support from her medical team, Ellie found herself on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

In this episode, Ellie talks to Dr Newson about her story, what it was like going through the menopause at such a young age and how finding the right treatment has turned her life around.

In her own words, "At first, I was elated at the prospect of no periods, but as time went on, I realised that the menopause is much more than your periods stopping; I realised that it meant a life of suffering with night sweats, joint pain, vaginal atrophy and hot flushes. During a time when I was meant to be happy that I survived cancer, my mental health was spiralling with the burden of the menopause. But, thankfully, I got an appointment with Dr Newson and I am now receiving the HRT that I need. Before, I felt like I was 18 going on 80, but now I feel like superwoman!"

Ellie's Three Take Home Tips:

1. You are entitled to be referred to a menopause specialist, even on the NHS. Your doctor, surgeon or endocrinologist may not have sufficient information for you.
2.  Empower yourself with information - you know yourself and your symptoms the best so be your own advocate when it comes to healthcare professionals.
3. Entering relationships as a younger woman going through menopause can be difficult. Make sure you know your own worth and see yourself as a whole. You are more than your menopause.

Follow Ellie on Instagram: @teamellie_blog

067 - Genitourinary Syndrome of the Menopause - Professor James Simon & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is talking with Professor James Simon about Genitourinary Syndrome of the Menopause which affects the majority of women after the menopause and can include symptoms such as vaginal discomfort, irritation, dryness and pain during sexual intercourse. However, only the minority of women currently receive treatment and this needs to change.

Treatment with localised oestrogen can be very effective for the majority of women and is very low risk. Other symptoms related to this condition include urinary symptoms and Prof Simon talks with Dr Newson about how common urinary infections and consequent sepsis can be and how this can be avoided by using vaginal oestrogen. 

Professor James Simon's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Bring it up with your health professional and be direct. Speak to them about about when you are experiencing pain.
2. If one treatment doesn't work for you - make sure you don't give up. Speak to your doctor about an alternative and remember that women often need more than the standard dose.
3. Remember that urinary tract infections and urinary symptoms are part of the whole syndrome. You can treat those symptoms and infections by taking care of the vagina and vulva as a whole.

Find out more about Professor Simon by visiting his website here.

Find Professor Simon on Facebook: @IntimMedicine

Twitter: @IntimMedicine

Instagram: @menopause.whisperer

066 - Gut Health and Addiction - Lindsey Beveridge & Dr Louise Newson

Dr Louise Newson chats to Lindsey Beveridge, nutritional therapist and founder of Recovery Nutrition, in this episode of the Newson Health podcast series. Lindsey talks openly about her recovery from alcohol addiction in her late 40s and how that drove her to study nutritional therapy and then change careers.

Alcohol and sugar are both substances which affect our guts, brain health, as well as every other body system, but it’s hard to remove them as they are both so addictive. Quite often these self-destructive habits escalate in our 40s – a time when we are possibly experiencing bereavement, financial pressures or relationship challenges, as well as experiencing hormonal fluctuations, so we reach for substances that temporarily make us feel better.  It’s important to recognise patterns of destructive behaviour so we can make changes.  

Breaking habits and making changes require commitment and hard work, but also a degree of self-compassion and Lindsey and Dr Newson share some tools to help with this.

Lindsey beveridge's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Be honest with yourself! If you think you are drinking too much or having too much sugar then think about if it's still bringing you joy. If it's not then open your mind to change.
2. Educate yourself as much as possible.
3. Recognise that you don't need to do it by yourself - everyone struggles in some way and you can ask for help.

Find Lindsey on Instagram: @recoverynutrition

www.recovery-nutrition.co.uk

065 - HIV, Menopause & Sophia Forum - Sophie Strachan, Dr Nneka Nwokolo, Dr Jacqui Stevenson & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is speaking with Sophie Strachan, director of Sophia Forum, Dr Nneka Nwokolo, honorary HIV clinician and menopause specialist, and Dr Jacqui Stevenson, researcher and advocate for Sophia Forum. Together, they talk about the charity Sophia Forum and their 'We Are Still Here' campaign which is calling for: 

• Opportunities to pass on experiences 
• Peer networks for older women 
• Holistic services and standards of care 

Dr Jacqui Stevenson recently carried out research exploring women’s experiences of ageing with HIV in London. Many of these women were experiencing menopausal symptoms yet were often receiving inadequate advice and help. Understandably, many women were worried that their symptoms were related to their HIV or their treatment and a large number of women expressed frustration in not receiving the right support or treatment. The expert guests in this podcast discuss how important it is for women to receive education about potential symptoms of the menopause and also health risks related to their low hormones. Jacqui talks in more detail about her research and ways of potentially improving access to evidence-based information worldwide to women living with HIV. 

Sophie Strachan, Dr Nneke Nwokolo & Dr Jacqui Stevenson's Three Take Home messages:

1. Women living with HIV should expect the same care and menopause support as women without HIV. These women should not have any less expectations that they can have their symptoms managed.
2. It's important that we break down the silence around issues like HIV and menopause and provide the space for women to demand the care, support and information that they deserve.
3.  In the context of health professionals, don't be afraid in how to look after your patients living with HIV. We are asking you to get educated about this condition as we have had to and start having menopause conversations with your patients when they are in their 30s - not 50s!

Find out more about Sophia Forum at:
www.sophiaforum.net
www.instagram.com/sophiaforum/
www.facebook.com/SophiaForum/

 

Click here for more information about the We Are Still Here campaign.