The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

“The fire in the belly is coming from people’s want and need to help patients and to make a change”   This week, Dr Fionnuala Vernon, Medical Director of Blackwater Private Clinics and GP trainer in Ireland, joins Dr Louise Newson for a compelling conversation about breaking down barriers in healthcare and addressing the ways in which the system often fails women.  They discuss how global gaps in training for healthcare professionals can result in women’s health needs – particularly during menopause – being overlooked and highlight the critical role of education in equipping clinicians with the skills and confidence to ask the right questions and connect patients with the support they need.  Fionnuala also outlines recent developments in women’s healthcare in Ireland, such as the introduction of free hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  We’re delighted to have been nominated in the Listeners’ Choice category for the British Podcast Awards. There’s still time to vote - ⁠click here⁠      Email dlnpodcast@borkowski.co.uk with suggestions for new guests!    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.           LET'S CONNECT     ·        Website: Dr Louise Newson    ·        Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos     ·        LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn    ·        Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify    ·        YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube      RELATED RESOURCES (TBC) How to talk to your doctor about HRT – and get results Find out more about Newson Education’s education programmes here  

Dr. Louise Newson talks with Franck Mauvais-Jarvis, a Tulane University endocrinologist specializing in metabolism. They explore the essential role of oestradiol in metabolism, memory, and inflammation reduction. Professor Mauvais-Jarvis emphasizes how mitochondrial function impacts metabolic health, helping prevent diabetes. They also clarify misconceptions from the Women’s Health Initiative about hormone therapy, while highlighting testosterone's importance in women's health, especially post-menopause. Don't miss his insights on precision hormone therapy!

Shelly Horton, an Australian journalist and menopause advocate, shares her inspiring journey through perimenopause. She candidly discusses her struggles with misdiagnosis, anxiety, and exhaustion, all while in the public eye. Shelly emphasizes the need for education and open dialogue around hormonal health to break stigmas. She also highlights the joy of community support and personal advocacy, encouraging women to embrace midlife as a transformative phase. Her insights aim to empower others navigating similar experiences.

Hayley and her son Jay share their inspiring journey through decades of misdiagnosis and mental health struggles. After years of ineffective treatments, Jay discovers the crucial link between hormones and Hayley’s mental well-being. Their emotional story highlights the need for greater awareness of hormonal impacts on mental health. The duo discusses their advocacy for better healthcare and the transformative effects of hormone replacement therapy. This poignant conversation calls for systemic change and offers hope to others facing similar challenges.

This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by the inspirational Angela Rippon, whose remarkable career in television and journalism spans nearly six decades. From breaking barriers as one of the first female newsreaders on British TV to her more recent appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, Angela reflects on the evolution of her work and the deep personal passion that drives her today: getting the nation moving.  In this uplifting episode, Louise and Angela explore how dance and movement can be powerful tools for supporting long-term health and wellbeing. Angela shares the inspiration behind her Let’s Dance! initiative and explains why she believes dance is a ‘superpower’ – capable of improving physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection at every stage of life.   From using dance in schools to helping people with Parkinson’s, Angela makes a compelling case for why dance should be seen as an investment in our ‘wellbeing pension plan’.  Whether you're eight or 80, this conversation will inspire you to see dance not just as exercise, but as joy, connection, and a key to ageing well. As Angela says: ‘My ambition is to die young – as late as possible.’  Watch on YouTube   Find out more about Let’s Dance! here    We’re delighted to have been nominated in the Listeners’ Choice category for the British Podcast Awards. There’s still time to vote – click here     Email dlnpodcast@borkowski.co.uk with suggestions for new guests!       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.          LET'S CONNECT     Website: Dr Louise Newson    Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos   LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn    Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify     YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube     CONNECT WITH ANGELA  Instagram Angela Rippon (@theangelarippon) • Instagram photos and videos  

In this enlightening discussion, Paul Anderson, a leading consultant urological surgeon and regular on Channel 4’s shows, shares insights into hormonal impacts on health and relationships with his wife, Dr. Louise Newson. They candidly explore how hormonal fluctuations affect both mental health and family dynamics. Paul highlights his experience in treating male genital health issues and the importance of awareness in medical education, emphasizing the need for better communication and support surrounding hormonal changes for all genders.

Content advisory: this episode includes themes of self-harmIn this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Christine D’Ercole, a master world champion track cyclist and Peloton instructor, who shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey. Together, they dive into crucial conversations about pelvic floor health, urinary incontinence and eating disorders, shining a light on topics often left in the shadows. Christine opens up about the impact of body image and societal judgment on women and reflects on her own struggles with an eating disorder, self-harm, and the lifelong challenge of overcoming ingrained beliefs about her body, and how these experiences intersect with hormonal changes throughout life. The conversation also tackles the complex role hormones, especially testosterone, play in women’s health and athletic performance. Together, they candidly explore the difficult decisions around testosterone and athletics, weighing thebenefits of improved quality of life and muscle strength against concerns about performance enhancement in sport. We hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email dlnpodcast@borkowski.co.uk with suggestions for new guests!  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.    LET'S CONNECT  Website: Dr Louise Newson  Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videosLinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube CONNECT WITH Christine D’Ercole  Website: Christine D'Ercole   Instagram: Christine D'Ercole LinkedIn: Christine D'Ercole  Wordshops: Upcoming Wordshops – IAMICANIWILLIDO.COMRelated resources: Click here to read more about Newson Research’s paper about testosterone and sport

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson speaks with author Jean Hannah Edelstein about her deeply personal new book, Breasts: A Relatively Short Relationship, and the complex journey she’s had with her own body. Jean shares the experience of choosing to undergo a double mastectomy at 41, after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and highlights the emotional and practical importance of finding the right doctors and surgeons during such a life-altering process. Jean reflects on growing up in the hyper-sexualised 1990s, a world where pop stars like Britney Spears were both idolised and seen as cautionary tales, and Victoria’s Secret sold not just lingerie, but a narrow vision of womanhood, aimed at teenage girls. By her early twenties, Jean had size 30G/F breasts, which brought unwanted attention, but also moments of connection, especially with other women. Jean also talks candidly about choosing to have a mastectomy, then later, a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. She opens up about her diagnosis of Lynch syndrome, and about the frustrations of navigating a medical system that often withholds information, especially when it comes to HRT and cancer risk, leaving too many patients to advocate for themselves in the dark. We hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email dlnpodcast@borkowski.co.uk with suggestions for new guests!  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.    LET'S CONNECT  Website: Dr Louise Newson Instagram: The Dr LouiseNewson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos  LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn  YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube CONNECT WITH Jean Hannah Edelstein Website: Jean Hannah Edelstein Instagram: Jean Hannah Edelstein (jhedelstein) • Instagram photos and videos Book: Breasts: A Relatively Brief Relationship – the funny, moving and universally relatable new memoir LinkedIn: Jean Hannah Edelstein | LinkedIn  Related resources: Breast cancer treatment and HRT Dr Corinne Menn: I’m a doctor who’s had breast cancer: here’s what I want you to know 

In a heartfelt conversation, Ann Newson, mother of Dr. Louise Newson, shares her rich experiences with menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after 60. They tackle common fears surrounding breast cancer and HRT, revealing important insights from past studies. Ann reflects on her journey through a silent generation and the emotional toll it took. With humor and warmth, they advocate for personalized approaches to HRT, emphasizing empowerment and informed choices that enhance well-being at any age.

'I'm a journalist, and I'm always trying to make sense of stories... that's just how my brain works. But I've never been able to make sense of this one... the whole HRT story, the information women are given, and the choices we make based on information we're not entirely sure about. I've always felt that was just unsatisfactory. So that overview from you, I have found really, really interesting’.In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by broadcaster and journalist Kaye Adams — a familiar face from ITV’s Loose Women and host of the How to Be 60 podcast — for a candid and deeply insightful conversation about navigating menopause in your sixties, the vital role of hormones, and the ongoing confusion around HRT (hormone replacement therapy).Drawing on her background in pathology and neurophysiology, Dr Louise unpacks decades of overlooked science showing how hormones like oestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone influence everything from brain function and inflammation to bone health and dementia risk. She explains how hormones deficiencies can create a perfect storm for disease, and why understanding their role at a cellular level is crucial for women’s long-term health.Together, Dr Louise and Kaye address the persistent fears around breast cancer and HRT, revisiting data from the controversial WHI study. Dr Louise explains how misinterpretation and media panic have caused widespread confusion and lasting harm to women’s health. Dr Louise also highlights the significant reductions in risks such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis that HRT can offer, questioning why compelling evidence is still often ignored by mainstream medicine.Kaye shares her personal reflections and doubts as a woman navigating healthcare in a landscape clouded by misinformation. Their discussion becomes a powerful call for clearer, evidence-based communication, encouraging women to feel empowered, not frightened, when considering treatment.Available to watch on YouTubeWe hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform.Email dlnpodcast@borkowski.co.uk with suggestions for new guests!DisclaimerThe 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.  LET'S CONNECT Website: Dr Louise NewsonInstagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videosLinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedInYouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTubeCONNECT WITH KAYE ADAMS Podcast Website: How To Be 60 with Kaye AdamsInstagram: Kaye Adams (kayeadamsofficial) • Instagram photos and videosSpotify: How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams | Podcast on SpotifyYouTube: How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams - YouTube