The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Noticed that your eyes are feeling drier, grittier or even more watery lately? It could be dry eye syndrome. July marks Dry Eye Awareness Month, and what you may not know is dry eyes can be a hidden symptom of menopause. In fact, one in four of the nearly 6,000 women surveyed ahead of the release of Dr Louise’s book, the Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause, said they experienced dry eyes during the menopause. Joining Dr Louise on this week’s podcast is Maria McGoldrick, a clinical performance consultant for Specsavers who is based in Scotland. Maria, who is an optometrist with 13 years’ experience, gives us the lowdown on the typical symptoms of dry eyes and treatments that can help. Maria’s top three tips to optimise your eye health: Have a regular eye test, ideally once every two years. If you suspect you may have dry eyes, make an appointment with an optometrist so this can be assessed and a treatment plan devised. If you are perimenopausal or menopausal and have an eye appointment coming up, mention this to your optometrist. This will help them support you and make the right treatment plan for you.

Podcaster, author and journalist Lorraine Candy returns to the podcast this week to talk about thriving in midlife and the importance of sharing menopause knowledge and spreading awareness. Lorraine is co-host of the popular podcast series Postcards from Midlife, which often looks at the Generation X experience of the perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, she joins Dr Louise to discuss her new book What’s Wrong With Me? 101 Things Midlife Women Need to Know, which is a compelling and reassuring account of how to live a magnificent midlife. The book draws on many women’s experiences to look at the emotional side of midlife and how our identity as women can change during this time.  Lorraine shares three reasons you should buy her new book: It will make you laugh – which is always important. It is packed full of expert advice that can support you to change your life in midlife. Find out more about the emotional changes and impact of midlife, looking at how your identity can change in your 40s and 50s. Click here for more details on Lorraine’s new book. You can access the Podcasts from Midlife podcast here and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.  

This episode looks at how hormone changes impact women in the workplace and in their personal lives – and why do many women put their own needs last? Dr Louise is joined by Dr Claire Kaye, an executive career coach and former GP specialising in perimenopause and menopause in the workplace. Dr Claire explains how career coaching can help bring about clarity and focus, particularly when you’re dealing with physical and psychological symptoms during the perimenopause and menopause. And both Dr Claire and Dr Louise offer advice on how to navigate these changes and overcome negative emotions to prioritise your own health and wellbeing. Dr Claire’s top three tips for building self-esteem: Recognise what it is that you’re feeling, take a few minutes to work out what it is that’s an issue for you at the time and label it Ask yourself ‘what might help here?’ or ‘who might help here?’ Pick one really simple thing that will help and feels really comfortable: and do it. You can follow Dr Claire on Instagram @drclairekayecoaching, LinkedIn @drclairekaye or visit her website here.  

Consultant dermatologist Dr Sajjad Rajpar returns to the podcast this week for a special summer episode about melasma, a condition that leads to darkening or brown patches developing on the skin. Up to 85% of those affected by melasma are women – and there is a connection between this condition and female hormones. Dr Sajjad and Dr Louise delve into what is known about this chronic complex condition, why it is crucial to protect your skin from the sun and the wide range of treatment options available, including topical treatments and laser therapy. Dr Sajjad’s three top tips on what to do if you suspect you have melasma, plus advice on self-management: Educate yourself on how to tell the difference between melasma and freckles – look at the areas of the face where it occurs. Family history and background may mean you are more susceptible. Sun protection is crucial in managing melasma. This means being really disciplined with using sunscreen, and seeking out a tinted version that will block visible as well as ultraviolet light. There are a wide range of active skin ingredients that can help with melasma; Dr Sajjad suggests starting with azelaic acid or arbutin to treat your condition. For more information about Dr Sajjad, visit www.midlandskin.co.uk  

How do you work out what the right dose of HRT is for you and balance the benefits with any potential risks? In this episode, Dr Louise talks about HRT doses with Corinna Bordoli, who began experiencing menopausal symptoms when she was just 10 years old. Corinna shares her experience of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) – menopause before the age of 40 – and of the challenges she faced in getting a prescription for a higher dose of estrogen to help both her symptoms and future health. Dr Louise and Corinna discuss why hormone needs and absorption can vary from woman to woman, particularly for those with POI. Corinna’s three tips for those who may suspect they have POI:  1. Keep track of your perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms so that you have evidence when you go to see your doctor. 2. If you are diagnosed with POI make sure you seek out a specialist in the condition to get the best care. 3. If you have POI, find a community of other people with similar experiences for support, such as through the Daisy Network. Sharing your story and hearing other people’s stories can make a huge difference and be healing. Find out more about the charity the Daisy Network mentioned in the podcast here, or on Twitter  @thedaisynet.

On this week’s episode of the Dr Louise Newson podcast, Dr Louise welcomes Sharon Saunders. Sharon is a menopausal woman with learning disabilities and is a wheelchair user. During the episode, Sharon talks about when she first learned about the menopause from her mum, and her menopause symptoms, including joint aches and pains and headaches. She describes how these symptoms make her feel and the impact on her daily life, and Dr Louise and Sharon also talk about treatment options. Finally, Sharon offers some important advice to other women with learning disabilities who are going through the perimenopause and menopause: speak up about how you are feeling, and don’t give up. Sharon is supported by Dimensions, a not-for-profit organisations supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, behaviours of distress and those with complex health needs. Click here for more information more about Dimension or on Twitter @DimensionsUK. And click here for an easy read booklet on the perimenopause and menopause by balance and Dimensions.

Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of Leon, food campaigner and writer, joins the podcast this week to talk about the dangers of a diet high in ultra-processed foods – that is, foods with a long list of ingredients such as preservatives and emulsifiers not typically found in home cooking. While convenient, ultra-processed foods such as breakfast cereals and mass-produced breads do not fill us up, encourage us to eat more and contribute to weight gain, Henry says. ‘Food is by far the biggest thing making us sick,’ he says. In this episode, Henry talks to Dr Louise about breaking the ultra-processed food cycle, ignoring calories and eating more food cooked from scratch. They also discuss his new book Ravenous, which looks at how to eat in a way that is better for you and the planet. Henry’s three tips:  Exercise has huge benefits for your health, so find an enjoyable form. Don’t think about it as being for weight loss, but for other health benefits. Cook from scratch as much as you can and include lots of fibrous green veg and pulses in your dishes. Try and reduce ultra-processed, plastic-wrapped food packed with mystery ingredients in your diet. Getting rid of breakfast cereals is a good place to start. Find out more about Henry’s work here and follow him on Twitter @HenryDimbleby  

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 options Speak up and don’t feel ashamed. Menopause affects everyone Normalise 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 needed Follow 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 shortfall Be 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 alternative Reach out for help if you are struggling with your supply Click 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 ignored Because if you are a woman you will experience the menopause If you are man, menopause will also be part of your experience at some point, and you need to be informed Because it is a fun read! Click here to find out more about Joanne Harris, and follow her on Twitter at @Joannechocolat