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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.
Episodes

Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
062 - Menopause and Contraception - Dr Philippa Kaye & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
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:
- 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.
- Some of that contraception can be used as part of HRT, such as the mirena coil.
- 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.
Find Dr Kaye on Twitter: @drphilippakaye
Instagram: @drphilippakaye

Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
061 - The Hormone Pharmacist - Lindsey Lester & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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

Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
060 - Menopause Education & Fourteen Fish - Dr Mark Coombe & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
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:
- This programme is evidence-based and current. The information is fresh and right up to date.
- 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.
- "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."

Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
059 - PMS and the Menopause - Dr Hannah Short and Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Hannah Short, who is a GP and menopause specialist. She also has a particular interest in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) which is very common yet not well managed. Many women need individualised advice and treatment which is often a combination of lifestyle changes and taking hormones.
Hannah openly talks about her own experience of having a surgical menopause when she was younger. She talks to Dr Newson about ways of improving awareness of this condition so women do not have to suffer both physically and mentally as a result of inadequate support and treatment.
Dr Hannah Short's Three Take Home Tips:
- Track your symptoms by using apps or online downloadable trackers.
- Use the internet to find useful resources. Firstly https://iapmd.org/ which is a US based site and http://www.pms.org.uk/ to read the UK guidelines.
- You do not need to solve this alone, look for support. Be kind to yourself.
Find Hannah on Instagram: @dr.hannah.short
Read this booklet from Dr Newson for more information about PMS and menopause.

Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
058 - Changing the Perception Around HRT - Davina Mccall & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
Tuesday Jul 28, 2020
In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson chats to one of Britain's best loved TV presenters, Davina Mccall. Davina talks openly and honestly about her own menopause experience and how she had no idea that she might start to experience symptoms when she was just 44.
Davina and Louise talk extensively about the perception of HRT in the media, how women are often needlessly scared and ashamed when they hear those three letters and why it's so important that this starts to change. It's essential that women have access to evidence-based menopause information - we all have the right to make informed choices about our own care and treatment.
Davina Mccall's Three Take Home Tips:
- Inform yourself! You have the right to choose the best treatment for you, but make sure you find out all the correct information beforehand.
- Find a supportive community and exercise. Whether it’s a weekly class or an online platform like Own Your Goals – exercise can be great for your mental health.
- Judgement is often a reflection of how we are feeling within ourselves. Every woman has a story and has the right to make their own choices without fear of judgement.
Find Davina on Facebook: @DavinaMccall
Twitter: @ThisIsDavina
Instagram: @davinamccall
Click here to watch Dr Newson and Davina discuss 'All Things Menopause'

Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
057 - The Irish Menopause - Sallyanne Brady, Claire Peel & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
The Irish Menopause was set up by Sallyanne Brady and Claire Peel - two ladies who suffered horrendously with their own menopause symptoms and met in an online support group. Ireland was lacking in knowledge, support and evidence based information, for women in particular, so they founded The Irish Menopause in April 2019 and the group now has 2700 members! Sallyanne and Claire chat to Dr Newson about the stories they hear day after day that are heartbreaking and unnecessary and how they are striving for change in Ireland.
Sallyanne's Three Take Home Tips for women in Ireland:
- Join The Irish Menopause - it's evidence-based support and you might find something you relate to.
- Find a doctor - if your doctor doesn't listen or you're not happy with what they have said, go to the next doctor and keep trying!
- Reach out - share, talk to others. You're not going mad, it's not just you, it's every other woman.
Claire's Three Take Home Tips on how women can help themselves:
- Talk to other people, go online and find support groups like The Irish Menopause.
- Look after yourself, don't feel guilty for taking time to yourself. Rest!
- Give Yoga a try! It can do wonders during this time of your life.
Find The Irish Menopause on Instagram: @theirish_menopause

Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
056 - ’balance’ Menopause App - Jane Oglesby & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is talking with Jane Oglesby, whom she first met at Manchester University when they were both medical students together. Dr Newson and Jane then reconnected a few years ago when she visited the Newson Health clinic as she had been really struggling with menopausal symptoms and was unable to receive the right help and treatment. Jane now works a trustee for The Oglesby Charitable Trust and she is passionate about tackling health inequalities, amongst other issues, and she is also a Director of both Focused Care and the Shared Health Foundation. Jane has kindly personally donated money to enable us to develop and produce a brand new menopause app called 'balance' which has just been launched. The aim of this app is to provide evidence based and non-biased information about the perimenopause and menopause to as many women as possible worldwide. Dr Newson and her team have been working hard for the past year with the most incredible team at Magnetic North in Manchester and is really excited to announce that it is now available to download.
Click here to find out more and download 'balance' today!
Jane Oglesby's Three Favourite Things About 'balance':
- We have asked women what they want! The app has been designed with that as the main objective - it gives women what they have asked for.
- The app is a free resource full of information. We want it to stay accessible for all women.
- balance demonstrates a collaborative effort from a great group of women and I'm very proud of it!

Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
055 - Exercise & the Menopause - Janette Cardy & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by online personal trainer, life coach and corporate wellbeing trainer Janette Cardy. Janette is a GB athlete and founder of Janette Cardy Fitness and she chats to Dr Newson about the physical and mental effects of exercise. Dr Newson and Janette also discuss how to find the right exercise programme for you and they share some helpful tips on how to build regular exercise into your daily life.
Janette Cardy's Three Take Home Tips:
- Get support - find a trainer, a coach or someone who can help guide you in the right way.
- Don't be persuaded to do exercise that you don't want to do. If you don't enjoy it, you won't stick to it. Find something that you love!
- Remember that there is no right or wrong! It doesn't matter if you go the wrong way or can't get in the same positions as others - it's your journey so enjoy it.
Find Janette on Instagram: @janettecardyfitness
Facebook: @JanetteCardyFitness

Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
054 - The Basics About HRT - Dr Rebecca Lewis & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson chats to friend and colleague, Dr Rebecca Lewis and together they talk all about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). They discuss the different types and ways of taking HRT, as well as the advantages of various preparations and different types of progestogens. Dr Newson and Dr Lewis also detail the numerous benefits of taking HRT and the possible risks. It is very important that women receive individualised care and treatment regarding their perimenopause and menopause and that they receive the right dose and type of HRT for them. Many women often find they have to try several different doses before they optimise how they are feeling.
Dr Rebecca Lewis' Three Take Home Tips:
- HRT will help your systemic symptoms.
- HRT will help improve your future health.
- There is no time limit on how long you can take HRT.
Find Dr Rebecca Lewis on Instagram: @dr.rebecca.lewis
Get more information about Menopause & HRT in this booklet from Newson Health.
Click here to learn the facts about HRT and uncover common myths.

Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
053 - The costs of the menopause - Professor Philip Sarrel & Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson talks to Professor Philip Sarrel, Professor of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Sciences and also Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University.
Dr Newson and Prof Sarrel discuss the importance of hormone replacement, not only to improve symptoms but also for disease prevention as Prof Sarrel talks about the increased risk of heart disease in women who have had an early menopause. He is the Founder and President of the Advancing Health After Hysterectomy (AHAH) Foundation, an organisation that focuses on educating women who have had a hysterectomy by age 60, a total of 15 million women in the USA! In the 1990s, around 80% of women received HRT following a hysterectomy and now the figure is around 15%. Yet women who have had a hysterectomy in the past and take HRT actually have a lower future risk of developing breast cancer. Professor Sarrel talks to Dr Newson about how many studies, including WHI (Women's Health Initiative), have found that taking HRT can control debilitating symptoms including hot flushes, sleep disturbance and fatigue, and reduces the risk of developing conditions such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis and heart attacks, and vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction.
Professor Sarrel talks about menopausal symptoms being the “canary in the coal mine” as ignoring symptoms leads to an increased risk of many diseases including heart disease and osteoporosis. The financial costs of these diseases is huge and a new article in the Menopause Journal has reported consequent medical expenditures for five of the diseases which reduced when women age 50 to 59 take HRT - coronary heart disease (CHD), breast cancer, bowel cancer, hip fracture, and stroke. When the costs for all of these conditions have been added together the expenditure consequences for untreated vasomotor symptoms in the USA in a single year is estimated in billions of dollars. In addition, around 20% of Medicare dollars in the USA is spent on Alzheimer’s disease – which is more common in menopausal women.
Find out more about Professor Sarrel's research here.
Professor Philip Sarrel's Three Take Home Tips:
- Take charge of your menopause! Improve your knowledge and learn from reliable sources.
- Ask yourself about any symptoms you are experiencing – make a diary and record any symptoms.
- Find a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable who can really help you. It's okay to get a second or even third opinion.