The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

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 www.janettecardyfitness.co.uk    

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.

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. 

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is speaking to Professor Jim Simon, a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Reproductive Endocrinology at George Washington University in Washington DC.  Dr Newson and Professor Simon talk about the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study and more specifically about the different types of progestogens and progesterone. He clearly describes and explains how body identical progesterone is the safest to take as well as the benefits women often experience when taking body identical progesterone. Jim also explores and explains the evidence regarding the reported risks of breast cancer with HRT and he and Dr Newson also talk about how important it is that women receive the best care and treatment during their menopausal years.  Professor Jim Simon's Three Take Home Tips: Listen to your own body - it will tell you the truth! Address each of your symptoms with a healthcare profession and know your treatment options. Your symptoms are not 'a right of passage' that you have to put up with. You are likely to live a very long life, take the big picture into account and try to practice preventive medicine. Remember that whatever you decide on with your healthcare professional, doesn't have to be for the rest of your life. Make the best choice for you today and live it out until things change - you can always make a different choice if it's warranted tomorrow. Find out more about Professor Simon by visiting his website here. Find Professor Simon on Facebook: @IntimMedicine Twitter: @IntimMedicine Instagram: @menopause.whisperer

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson talks to Dr Tony Branson, a consultant oncologist who specialises in giving cancer treatments to women. Dr Branson and Dr Newson discuss the menopause in women who have had breast cancer in the past and the various ways of managing symptoms. Some women also experience menopausal symptoms as a result of their hormone treatment and Dr Branson shares some advice on how to manage this. This podcast also covers what risk means regarding taking HRT with a history of breast cancer and reasons why some women still choose to take HRT despite having breast cancer in their family or having had it themselves in the past. Dr Tony Branson's Three Take Home Tips: Whoever you see (hopefully a specialist) make sure to ask about your options. You may be able to stop your hormone treatment for a short time and see how you are. If that helps and you are considering HRT - find someone that will have a reasonable discussion with you about the relative risks and benefits, instead of just saying "no you can't!" Don't take no for an answer! Be clear with your healthcare professional about what really matters to YOU. 

In the 50th episode of the Newson Health podcast series, Dr Louise Newson chats to Liz Earle MBE about how they first met and the work they have done together. Liz is very open and candid about her own menopause experience and admits how little she knew about the perimenopause and menopause before meeting Dr Newson. She is now a great advocate for women receiving evidence-based menopause advice and treatment. Liz and Dr Newson also discuss ways that women can become more empowered and receive the right advice and treatment. Liz works tirelessly to help women to improve their knowledge and is always campaigning for improved menopause care in the future. Liz Earle's Three Take Home Tips:  Knowledge is power! Take a look on menopausedoctor.co.uk and if you are experiencing menopausal symptoms then fill out the Menopause Symptom Questionnaire - you can then print it off and take it to your GP. Go to your appointment armed with knowledge, be secure in that knowledge and understand that you may even know more than your GP about the menopause. Don't be afraid to ask for a second or even third opinion. It's your body and your life, don't give up if you don't get the right help straight away.

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson chats to John Stirling, the technical director of Bionutri. John speaks openly about his experience with immunotherapy treatments for his melanoma that was diagnosed when he was in his 20s. This experience started his real interest into disease prevention and healthy living. He is currently writing a book about anti-ageing and talks openly about different ways of slowing the ageing process. Many of these methods include reducing inflammation in the body and improving health. Dr Newson and John talk about the important role diet, exercise, supplements and hormones have when it comes to improving our future health.   John Stirling's Three Take Home Tips for Disease Prevention and Anti-Ageing: Stress can be a huge factor - manage your stress and find time every day to have some quiet time to yourself. Don't over-complicate your diet, keep it simple but nutrient rich and don't overeat. Get moving! Gentle exercise such as a daily walk can be very beneficial.

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Zoe Hodson who is the lead doctor at the North West branch of Newson Health. Zoe has worked as a GP and GP trainer for over 15 years and has encountered many hurdles when trying to deliver menopause care; from lack of training as an undergraduate and postgraduate to being told that there wasn't any funding for a GP led menopause clinic in her area.   Dr Newson and Zoe discuss many of the frustrations that GPs and their patients face as well as the work that is being done by Newson Health in areas such as GP education and the provision of evidence based, accessible information for women throughout the world.  The team here at Newson Health believe that menopause consultations should be based on shared decision making and they discuss the importance of women and doctors being able to fully understand the long term health benefits and improved quality of life that HRT and holistic menopausal care can deliver.   Dr Zoe Hodson's Three Take Home Tips: Read or listen to as much evidence-based information as you can about the menopause before booking an appointment with your healthcare provider.   Share a symptom checker with anyone who will listen - we have to start joining the dots and this is a cheap, easily accessible way to start.  Gather your soapboxes! We need everyone to be sharing and signposting to correct, evidence based information. Find out more about Dr Zoe Hodson and our new North West clinic in this video.

In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson talks to Emma Ellice-Flint, a very knowledgeable nutritionist, all about fermented foods. Emma takes it right back to basics and explains the importance of good gut health and how eating and drinking fermented products can be beneficial for our gut microbes as well as our overall health. Emma and Dr Newson also discuss sauerkraut, kefir and the variety of different ways we can boost our gut microbes - as well as the ways our gut health can worsen due to our diets.  Emma's Three Take Home Tips for better gut health: Buy some kefir, try having two tablespoons a day. It's a great place to start! Bring as much fibre-rich food as you can into your diet - but introduce it slowly. Don't be put off by how overwhelming it can seem! Simple, small changes can vastly improve your gut health. https://emmasnutrition.com/  https://www.instagram.com/emmas_nutrition/   

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Mandy Garland and Specialist Nurse, Sharon Hartmann - together they discuss nurse education for menopause and HRT in primary care.  Both Mandy and Sharon chose to develop their own skills and knowledge in menopause by completing the accredited training through the British Menopause Society. They are currently waiting to submit their final log book; following an intensive 2 years of study, specialist visits and practical assessments.  In this podcast, Dr Newson chats to Mandy and Sharon about how they have used evidence based practice to develop a pathway of care, offering patients at their busy NHS surgery a holistic service founded on NICE guidance; such as initiating and reviewing a patient’s use of HRT. This has been particularly challenging due to the lack of funding their surgery receives for management of the menopause. Mandy and Sharon hope that the long term benefits will be evident, with the improved quality of life women experience when on appropriately prescribed HRT, and that nurses all over the UK will receive the same opportunity to study at a higher level. Mandy Garland, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Menopause Specialist and Nurse Prescriber - @garland_mandy Sharon Hartmann, Specialist Nurse: Integrated Sexual Health, Menopause Specialist and Nurse Prescriber - @hartmann_sharon Mandy and Sharon's Three Take Home Tips for nurses who want to gain a better menopause education: Menopause is a complex, in-depth subject and should be seen as a Holistic Medicine. During your training, find a like-minded nurse or professional that you can work with and study alongside. Attend as many clinics as you can within the local area and work with your local pharmacy.