The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Laura Bibby joins Dr Louise to share her experience of managing the perimenopause shortly after a life-changing spinal cord injury. A senior nurse and an ambulatory wheelchair user, Laura shares her struggles to have urinary symptoms, crippling anxiety and joint pain recognised as being due to her perimenopause, and not just attributed to her injury. In an empowering conversation, Laura and Dr Louise discuss the importance of persistence, and speaking out to help women with disabilities overcome barriers preventing them getting the menopause care and treatment they deserve. Laura’s three tips:  Be persistent – If something doesn’t feel right with your health, keep pushing and seeking for the right treatment. Even if a healthcare professional dismisses your request, keep going and explore other optionsSpeak up and don’t feel ashamed. Menopause affects everyoneNormalise conversations around women’s health, don’t have them in secret. Discuss periods and the menopause openly so that it is easier to go and ask for help when neededFollow Laura on Instagram @blue__brick_disability and you can read more about her story in this article on the balance website.

The supply of HRT medication Utrogestan is being restricted by the UK government because of shortages amid increase demand. Pharmacies will only dispense two months’ worth of Utrogestan 100mg capsules per prescription to help ensure continued access for women. In this special episode, Newson Health pharmacist prescriber and menopause specialist Faiza Kennedy joins Dr Louise to talk about the restrictions, and where and how to seek advice and help. They talk about the importance of taking a progesterone as part of your HRT regime if you still have a womb, as well as alternatives to Utrogestan, including progesterone in pessary form, the Mirena coil and combined forms of HRT containing both estrogen and progesterone. Faiza’s top three tips:  Only order the amount of Utrogestan you need to help everyone get through the shortfallBe organised about ordering your HRT prescriptions. Do it about two weeks before you run out so you have time in case you have any difficulties getting your supply or need to seek an alternativeReach out for help if you are struggling with your supplyClick here for a balance article for more information about the current Utrogestan supply restrictions, plus alternatives. You can read more about Faiza here.

Bestselling author of Chocolat Joanne Harris joins Dr Louise Newson to talk about her latest book, Broken Light. Broken Light’s protagonist is Bernie, a 49-year-old who has given her life to her family and friends, and feels invisible. But Bernie finds her supernatural powers as she reaches the menopause, which becomes a metaphor for the anger of women in later life who are too often silenced in art and reality. In this episode, Joanne talks about her own menopause experience, and her and Dr Louise discuss their work in ensuring the voices of women are heard as they get older – and the progress that still needs to be made. Joanne’s four reasons to read her new novel:  Menopause is a universal experience that needs to be understood. The way women feel shapes our world and shouldn’t be ignoredBecause if you are a woman you will experience the menopauseIf you are man, menopause will also be part of your experience at some point, and you need to be informedBecause it is a fun read!Click here to find out more about Joanne Harris, and follow her on Twitter at @Joannechocolat

Advisory: this podcast contains themes of mental health and suicide. Earlier this month Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week was marked across the UK. In this week’s episode Emma Hammond, an employment lawyer specialising in advising women who have experienced discrimination due to the menopause, generously shares her own story. After a traumatic birth with her first child, Emma developed serious symptoms, including psychosis and not sleeping or eating, that ultimately led to medication and hospitalisation. While she wanted a second child, her periods stopped and she was told she was perimenopausal – but an unexpected development took place soon after she was admitted to a mental health hospital. Here she and Dr Louise talk about the powerful role of hormones in women during pregnancy, birth and perimenopause, and how hormones can be overlooked by healthcare professionals caring for women struggling with their mental health. This podcast follows an earlier episode with Emma where she talked about her career, and offered advice on menopause in the workplace. Emma’s three tips:  See your GP promptly if you are struggling with your mental health and don’t think you can fix everything yourselfBe honest and open with your family and friends about what you are going through so that they can support youThink about life changes and holistic approaches as well as hormonal treatments or medication.Read more about Emma here. Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123.

In a special episode on the eve of International Nurses Day, this week’s guest is Sue Thomas, an advanced nurse practitioner with an interest in menopause who works alongside Dr Louise at Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. They discuss Sue’s 30-year nursing career, including her work in cardiovascular disease prevention, and talk about the vital role nurses play in raising awareness and treating women during the perimenopause and menopause. And with figures showing nine out of ten UK nurses are women, and more than half aged over 41, Sue and Dr Louise discuss the impact of the perimenopause and menopause on the nursing profession, with Sue sharing her own menopause experience and the barriers she faced when trying to access HRT. Sue’s three take home tips for fellow nurses and healthcare professionals are: Look for more education about the menopause, such as the free Confidence in the Menopause courseIf you are struggling with menopause yourself, be open with colleagues and line managers – we need to look after each otherLet’s make the menopause a positive thing.Click here to read an advice article by Sue for healthcare professionals on coping with menopause in the workplace.

Making a welcome return to the podcast is menopause activist, author and documentary maker Kate Muir. Kate is the author of Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause (but were too afraid to ask) and the producer behind Davina McCall’s two award-winning menopause documentaries; her third documentary, investigating the contraceptive pill, is currently in production. This week, after more than 200 episodes of the Dr Louise Newson Podcast, Kate is the one asking the questions. She asks Dr Louise about her hopes for HRT and menopause care over the next decade, and about the importance of hormones for healthy ageing and prevention of future disease. They also discuss barriers to accessing HRT, the so-called natural approach to the menopause and tackle claims the menopause is being over-medicalised. And in place of the usual top three tips, Dr Louise shares the four things in her handbag that she can’t live without. For more about Kate visit her website Follow Kate on Twitter @muirkate and Instagram @muirka Kate Muir photo credit: Suki Dhanda

Dr Andrew Weber is Medical Director of the Bodyvie Medi-Clinic in London and has more than 40 years of experience as a GP and 25 years specialising in advanced medical aesthetics and cosmetic procedures.   In this episode, Dr Weber and Dr Louise Newson discuss the impact of the perimenopause and menopause on the skin and throughout the body, the importance of hormones and benefits of HRT, and why it is crucial healthcare professionals listen to their patients.   The episode also covers how HRT has advanced and the importance of individualising treatment to find the right dose – Dr Weber likens HRT to buying a bespoke, made to measure Savile Row suit, rather than an off-the-peg outfit.   For more about Dr Andrew Weber and the Bodyvie Medi-Clinic visit bodyvie.com Follow Dr Andrew Weber on Twitter at @drandrewweber

Bone density for women can plummet around the time of the perimenopause and menopause. An estimated one in two women over 50 (and who do not take HRT) worldwide will develop osteoporosis. This puts women at high risk of bone fractures, which can have a major impact on health and wellbeing. Here Chicago-based Dr Kristi DeSapri, who specialises in bone health, joins Dr Louise Newson to talk about what can increase the risk of your bones becoming weak, the role of hormonal changes in this and what to do about it. Hear what the latest research says about the valuable role that HRT can play in protecting bones to keep you fit and strong in the future. Dr DeSapri shares her top three tips for listeners worried about their bone health: Find out how healthy your bones are and whether you could be at risk of fractures.  This could include booking a bone density scan, or completing free online assessments and taking that information to your doctorIncreasing evidence suggests HRT can help protect bone health, so consider this treatment option to keep your bones strongFind out about the importance of bone health so that you can be your own advocate - make sure you have the right information to make the right decisions.You can follow Dr DeSapri on Instagram @boneandbodywh. Her website is www.boneandbodywh.com

Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sajjad Rajpar makes a welcome return to the podcast this week to talk about the chronic skin condition rosacea, and how it can be impacted by the perimenopause and menopause. In a special episode to mark Rosacea Awareness Month, Dr Louise and Dr Sajjad discuss the physical and psychological effects of rosacea, as well as offering practical advice on avoiding triggers, and treatment strategies. Dr Sajjad’s top three tops if you have or suspect you have rosacea: Really look at your skincare routine and strip it right back to a gentle non-foaming cleanser and a light moisturiser containing ceramides.Sunlight can be a trigger for rosacea, so block out the sun as much as you can.Consider talking to your GP about trying active topical ingredients such as azelaic acid, metronidazole and ivermectin, because they can be a real game changer.For more information about Dr Sajjad, visit www.midlandskin.co.uk

Joe Wicks really needs no introduction: he’s a fitness coach, presenter and bestselling author who kept the nation moving during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Joe is also one of the expert contributors in Dr Louise Newson’s new book, The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause. In this episode, Joe and Dr Louise discuss the importance of keeping active, and finding the motivation and time to exercise during the perimenopause and menopause. Joe offers tips on setting achievable goals, plus beneficial exercises, and they talk about how replacing hormones with HRT will help ease symptoms so women can also better focus on exercise and nutrition. Joe’s top three tips if you are struggling with motivation to exercise: Prioritise your sleep: see sleep as an investment to give you more energy to work outWork out in the morning: working out earlier can be transformative to how you take on stress at work, and for your relationships tooPrep like a boss: meal prepping on a weekend will protect you against fast foods and convenience foods during the week.Follow Joe Wicks on Instagram @thebodycoach Find out more about the Body Coach app on Instagram @bodycoachapp and online at www.thebodycoach.com

Advisory: this podcast contains themes of mental health and suicide. In this episode, Jo shares a moving account of her menopause experience before finding the right treatment for her. Struggling with numerous symptoms including vertigo, dry mouth and eyes, joint pain and vaginal dryness, Jo went from not visiting her GP for six years to monthly appointments. After being prescribed a cocktail of medication and spending thousands of pounds on dental treatment to no avail, Jo felt she was never going to get better. She talks to Dr Louise about the effect of low hormones, and the transformative impact finding the right dose and type of HRT had on her mental and physical health. Jo’s three top tips:  Download a period tracker, such as the balance menopause support app, to track your periods. This will help you notice any changes and identify any patterns of other symptoms occurring.Educate yourself: try to read as much as possible about the menopause so that you can understand what's happening with your body.Reach out to friends: by being honest and saying how you're feeling, you can help others to open up too.

In this episode, Dr Louise is joined by Kat Keogh to talk about Dr Louise’s new book, The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause. Packed with advice and information from leading experts, it is the definitive, accessible and evidence-based guide to help you navigate your perimenopause and menopause. It covers key facts about hormones, family histories, the complete guide to HRT, libidos, mental and physical health, how menopause affects careers and relationships and so much more. Kat, who works at Newson Health, shares her top three reasons to buy The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause:  It gives clear, practical advice on talking about the menopause with your children.If you’re starting, at any age, to feel like your hormones are off balance, buy this book to find out everything you need to know about the role of hormones in your health and how to manage that.If you’re struggling and alone with the perimenopause or menopause, turn to this book for reassurance, support, knowledge and to be empowered.Order your copy here

Dr Walter Rocca is a neurologist from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA, where he studies common neurological diseases as well as the aging processes between men and women. He has a particular focus on estrogen and the effects of menopause on health risks. In this episode, Dr Rocca explains how sex hormones have a much greater role in many of the body’s functions than simply regulating the menstrual cycle and reproduction. He explains why it’s so important to treat women with hormone replacement after bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy or early menopause, especially younger women. Dr Rocca’s three take home messages: The ovaries are a tremendously important organ for healthy functioning of our heart, brain, bones, kidneys, lungs and more.For healthcare professionals: be very careful when thinking about removing the ovaries and/or the uterus, unless there is a very clear clinical indication. The longer-term harmful effects of these surgeries are greater than the apparent short-term benefit to symptoms.If a woman has a high genetic risk of ovarian cancer (>40% risk level), removal of the ovaries is appropriate, but she should be given estrogen therapy afterwards as the risk associated with this treatment is very low (including for BRCA carriers). If a natural menopause occurs early or prematurely, these women should also be offered estrogen therapy, unless there is a specific counterindication.More about Dr Walter Rocca

Dr Namugga Martha Monicah is one of four female urologists in Uganda. She recently completed the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons (FCS) exam at the College of Surgeons East and Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) exams, finishing top of her class. She was supported with a sponsorship from Newson Health. This episode of the podcast, released on the eve of International Women’s Day which this year centres around equity for all, looks at women’s health and access to care in Africa. Dr Monicah tells Dr Louise Newson about the barriers to women’s health in Africa, the shame surrounding it and the international support making a difference. She also addresses the stigma around the menopause and the need to move past a ‘suffer in silence’ approach. Guest’s three tips: Anyone in the world who listens to the podcast, know that there is somewhere where menopause doesn’t have to be taken on humbly and that something can be done to improve your quality of life.To the African girl child, know that despite all the challenges, the hurdles, you can still do it, you can still emerge victorious.In whatever small way, any individual can do something to improve the life of another.For more about Dr Namugga Martha Monciah, visit https://www.baus.org.uk/professionals/urolink/urolink_home.aspx.

Dorothy Byrne returns to the podcast this week to discuss her previous role as former Head of News and Current Affairs for Channel 4 television and the commissioning of and reaction to the menopause documentaries. She also updates us on her new role as president of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge University – one of only two higher education institutions in the UK for women only – and how she hopes to inspire young women especially in the fields of medicine and science. During the conversation, Dorothy shares some of her experiences of how a menopausal lack of sleep affected her at work, why she continues to take HRT in her 70s, and the ongoing systemic gender discrimination in medicine and the workplace. Dorothy’s advice to women who are struggling to get menopause treatment: Go to your doctor and ask for accurate, up to date information about HRT, and if they are not able to provide this, ask to see another doctorDon't think you just have to put up with your symptomsDon't be embarrassed by anything related to the menopause. If something’s going on ‘down below’, find out what the cause of it is, it may well be the menopause and there are effective treatments available.

Nina McGowan is a visual artist and Bikram yoga practitioner from Ireland who discovered freediving while on holiday in Egypt when she was in her mid-forties. Shortly after she turned 50, Nina secured a world record dive of 43 metres that involved holding her breath for 2 minutes and ten seconds. In this episode, Nina explains how her yoga practice helps her free diving and she outlines the benefits of eating well, sleeping well and clearing your mind to focus on your breath. Nina also shares some of her own personal experience with her hormone journey and seeking out the right support. Nina’s three priorities for a positive lifestyle change: Prioritise your sleep and protect that spaceMake any diet changes slowly and one at a timeHave faith in yourself to take a step into the unknown and a bridge will appear across the chasm.Follow Nina on Instagram

Emma Hammond is a lawyer with gunnercooke LLP specialising in employment law. Often assuming the role of Investigating or Grievance Officer, Emma leads enquiries into complex bullying, harassment and discrimination complaints for individuals and organisations. Emma has an interest in mental health and its impact on the workplace and she incorporates as much pro bono work into her practice as possible, specialising in advising women who have suffered discrimination due to the menopause. In this episode, Emma chats to Dr Louise Newson about the effects of the menopause at work, the intricacies of legal protections for women suffering professionally because of menopausal symptoms, and they discuss some positive examples of working in a menopause confident organisation. Read more about Emma Hammond here.

Breast cancer specialist, Dr Tony Branson returns to the Dr Louise Newson podcast two years since his first appearance. Tony is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. In this episode the experts discuss the current situations women can find themselves in when having treatments for breast cancer and experiencing the onset of menopausal symptoms. Tony supports the women he sees through some challenging decisions around managing the risk of cancer recurrence while for some, treating menopausal symptoms with HRT to improve the quality of their lives.

Two important issues for women come together in this episode of the Dr Louise Newson Podcast featuring guest Joeli Brearley. Joeli founded the charity Pregnant Then Screwed after she was fired from her job the day after telling her employers she was pregnant. Joeli wanted to create a space for others to share their stories of discrimination at work, which quickly grew into Pregnant Then Screwed, a charity dedicated to ending the motherhood penalty and campaigning for change. Joeli shares a personal story of her own changing hormones in her late 30s; she recounts her struggle to be listened to by healthcare professionals and to find the right treatment for her symptoms that were exacerbated by progesterone intolerance. Joeli’s three tips for women who think they might be perimenopausal: Talk to other women, it’s a great way to find out really useful informationKeep going and don’t give up. Trust in yourself and how you know you’re feeling. Keep pushing for what you feel you need.If you don’t feel well and feel like you’re going mad after having the Mirena coil fitted, tell your healthcare professional. You could have a sensitivity to the progestogen in it and there may be a better alternative method for you.For more about Joeli’s work and her books, visit pregnantthenscrewed.com Follow Pregnant Then Screwed on Instagram or Twitter.

Dr Louise Oliver, a GP and functional breathing practitioner and therapeutic life coach, joins Dr Louise Newson as a guest on the podcast this week. Louise Oliver has had a special interest in women’s health and menopause for many years and now incorporates her skills as a functional breathing practitioner to raise awareness of how breathing is altered by hormones, how this can lead to symptoms of inefficient breathing and how to improve the connection between our brain, body and breath. Louise’s three tips to breathe more efficiently: Be aware that your hormones affect the way you breathe and how you breathe affects your health and wellbeing. Learn more about breathing. The book ‘Breath’ by James Nestor and all Patrick McKeown books and podcasts are excellent.Assess your breathing efficiency by observing your breathing at different times over the next week and see whether it matches the description of effective breathing as discussed.Improve your breathing efficiency by learning the techniques and dedicating some time over a number of weeks and months to adjust your breathing style until it becomes more natural for you.For more about Dr Louise Oliver, visit her website. The video link mentioned in the episode from Mr Vik Veer, ENT consultant, to improve snoring and sleep apnoea can be found here. Louise is on Instagram as @drlouiseolivertlc and on Facebook here.