The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

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.

064 - Early Menopause and Fertility - Jon Hughes & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is speaking with Jon Hughes, a gynaecologist who specialises in fertility and endometriosis. Jon and Louise discuss the various reasons why women may have reduced fertility, including women who have an early menopause or Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Jon talks about his work and details the possible ways that fertility can be improved.

Jon has recently joined the team here at Newson Health and is now offering individualised advice to women with fertility problems or potential fertility issues as a result of their early perimenopause and menopause.  

Jon is the lead clinician for Worcestershire Fertility, which is part of Oxford Fertility. Oxford Fertility is part of TFP, with 37 fertility clinics across the UK and Europe. 

Jon Hughes' Three Take Home Tips for young women with potential fertility issues:

1. When trying to start a family, try and live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Try to maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking and moderate any alcohol.
2. Talk to your mum, aunties, grandmothers, and find out if there is any history of POI or early menopause in your family. If so, it may be helpful to start thinking and talking to your GP about your fertility.
3. Keep an eye on the symptoms! If your periods are becoming irregular and you are planning on having a family, it may be worth getting everything checked out.

Find out more about Jon's clinic at Newson Health here.

063 - Psychosexual Medicine and Menopause - Dr Stephanie Goodwin & Dr Louise Newson

In episode 63 of the Newson Health podcast series, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Stephanie Goodwin, a london-based GP, menopause specialist and specialist in Psychosexual medicine.

Together, Dr Newson and Dr Goodwin discuss the possible consequences of cancer treatment on women’s sex lives. Often sex isn’t discussed at the outset of treatment and it isn’t until much later that women have the opportunity to get advice. 

Dr Goodwin also speaks about vaginal changes during the menopause and the importance of intimacy and keeping channels of communication open with your partner if sex becomes difficult during this time. Vaginal dryness is a very common problem that is easy to treat so don't be afraid to seek out advice.  

Dr Stephanie Goodwin's Three Take Home Tips:

1. If you are having cancer treatment, ask for advice about the possible impact on your sex life at the start.  Find someone in the team who is comfortable discussing that with you.
2. There are lots of resources available that can be helpful - Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, The Daisy Network (for younger women under 40) and The Institute of Psychosexual Medicine.  
3. Don’t be afraid to ask if you need help! That’s not just for cancer patients but for any women having sexual difficulties.  If you don’t get help the first time, try someone else and keep asking. 

www.drstephaniegoodwin.co.uk

Find Dr Goodwin on Instagram: @drstephaniegoodwin

062 - Menopause and Contraception - Dr Philippa Kaye & Dr Louise Newson

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson chats to Dr Philippa Kaye - GP, journalist and author. Dr Kaye has just released a new book titled 'The M Word: Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause' and she talks to Dr Newson all about it and explains why she decided to write a book about this area of a woman's life.

Dr Newson and Dr Kaye discuss a number of women's health topics in this informative podcast, including safe sex, STD prevention and contraception around the time of the menopause and perimenopause - when you can stop, when you need protection and the different options available.

Dr Newson also chats to Dr Kaye about the taboo surrounding women's health in general and why it's important that we change the narrative surrounding the menopause. 

Dr Philippa Kaye's Three Take Home Tips about Contraception and Menopause: 

1. You probably need it no matter how old you are! You will need contraception up until 55 depending on when your menopause was and then afterwards as a barrier against STDs.
2. Some of that contraception can be used as part of HRT, such as the mirena coil.
3. Even if you are going or have gone through an early menopause, you may still need contraception. If you have the right menopause treatment and your libido improves, that's great! But we need to make sure we stay safe.

'The M Word: Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause' by Dr Philippa Kaye is available on Amazon and waterstones.com, as well as in most bookstores.

www.drphilippakaye.com

Find Dr Kaye on Twitter: @drphilippakaye

Instagram: @drphilippakaye

061 - The Hormone Pharmacist - Lindsey Lester & Dr Louise Newson

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Lindsey Lester who is a pharmacist with special interest in the menopause and founder of The Hormone Pharmacist. 

Lindsey set up The Hormone Pharmacist, after much encouragement from Dr Newson, to provide affordable expert menopause advice, which enables women to make an informed choice about the treatment they would like. Lindsey offers a 45 minute consultation which covers the risks and benefits of the treatments available, as well as general health advice which ultimately saves the time of women and their GPs and ensures they receive the safest, evidence based options. 

In this podcast, Lindsey and Dr Newson discuss the large number of women aged 40+ that are prescribed antidepressants and also older women receiving antibiotics repeatedly for urinary tract infections, both of which are often menopause related. 

Lindsey is a member of The British Menopause Society and she talks to Dr Newson about why it's so important that women make sure the health professional they speak to has undertaken specific training in menopause. In many cases, even a GP or Gynaecologist might not have had enough training to give  the right information or treatment. 

Lindsey Lester's Three Take Home Tips:

1. Talk! Talk to everyone; friends, family, daughters, nieces. It can be so helpful if your healthcare professional has an interest in the menopause - check their credentials first.
2. Don't suffer - there's no medal at the end! Find the right treatment for you, it doesn't have to be HRT just make sure you have all the evidence before you decide.
3. Take charge of your own destiny and be informed!

Lindsey is now offering consultations here at Newson Health, click here to find out more.

Find Lindsey on Facebook: @thehormonepharmacistUK

Instagram: @thehormonepharmacistUK

060 - Menopause Education & Fourteen Fish - Dr Mark Coombe & Dr Louise Newson

Dr Mark Coombe is the educational director of Fourteen Fish, a UK based company specialising in medical appraisals. They provide education for over 40,000 GPs and healthcare professionals in the UK.

In this podcast, Mark and Dr Newson talk about a new menopause education programme they are developing together which has just been launched and is available for healthcare professionals. Dr Newson has created the content with three other GPs with a special interest in the menopause, Dr Rebecca Lewis, Dr Alice Duffy and Dr Sarah Ball.

Frustratingly many healthcare professionals have little or no formal education in the menopause which results in women being given the wrong advice and treatment. Education for healthcare professionals needs to be done in an evidence-based and non-biased way. It is also important that healthcare professionals are monitored and assessed regularly for their education so this platform is ideal for launching the menopause education programme on. 

Dr Mark Coombe's Three Take Home Tips About the Menopause Education Programme:

1. This programme is evidence-based and current. The information is fresh and right up to date.
2. It is online and so easily accessible. You can pick it up and put it down whenever suits you and can focus on specific modules.
3. "We will be working towards helping you provide evidence in your appraisals so you can justify being looked upon as someone with a specialist interest in menopause and HRT."

www.fourteenfish.com