The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

In this week's episode, Dr Newson chats to Katie Taylor. From the age of 43 Katie suffered for four years with debilitating perimenopausal symptoms, which had been misdiagnosed as depression by her doctor.   It was only when her father, a breast cancer professor, suggested that he thought her symptoms were more likely to be hormonal, did she finally get the right diagnosis from her gynaecologist. Within a month of being on the right treatment (HRT) and off the antidepressants, she felt like her old self again.   It was her anger and frustration at having wasted so many years of precious life, that led her to set up an online virtual coffee shop: The Latte Lounge (Top Tips For Women Over 40), to share her experience with others. Katie and Dr Newson discuss how commonly women are misdiagnosed and then are not receiving the right treatment for their symptoms.  www.lattelounge.co   Katie Taylor's Three Take Home Tips: Print off this symptom checklist and the NICE menopause guidelines and go to your doctor feeling empowered and armed with information. Know that HRT should be the first-line treatment, not just anti-depressants. Remember you're not alone! Join the Latte Lounge or Menopause Support and talk to like-minded women.

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson chats to Yvonne Bruton, a chief inspector at West Midlands Police who currently heads up the Violence Reduction Unit. Yvonne is also the chair of her Women in Policing association. Dr Newson and Yvonne have worked closely in the past and shared a journey over the last few years; Dr Newson has shared her passion and expertise and Yvonne has shared the problems that are experienced, not only by women in the workplace, but also by trying to design organisational responses to these within a challenging working environment! Policing is about improving people’s lives and protecting them from harm – but they need to look after the workforce to enable them to get out there and do that. Dr Newson has helped support and champion the work that West Midlands Police have been doing with menopause in the workplace and in this podcast they discuss Yvonne's inspirational work and how other organisation's can follow their lead.  Yvonne's Three Take Home Tips for Menopause Support at Work: Find someone to talk to - that could be a colleague experiencing similar problems or a peer support group. Find an organisational advocate within your workplace. Don't be afraid to make noise! 

In this podcast, Dr Newson is speaking with Nicola Mulkeen, a very experienced and knowledgeable pelvic floor physiotherapist. Together they discuss what exactly the pelvic floor muscles are and what they do in our bodies. Nicola talks about the importance of regular pelvic floor exercises and how to perform them. Dr Newson also asks Nicola about different types of urinary incontinence and how women experiencing symptoms should be receiving the right help and treatment. Find out more about Nicola here: https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/holistic-therapies/physiotherapy Nicola Mulkeen's Three Take Home Tips for Pelvic Floor Health: Don't suffer in silence - get a referral from your GP if you have any concerns. Prevention is better than reacting to symptoms once they occur, so it's always a good time to start thinking about your pelvic floor health. Don't be embarrassed to talk about bladder and bowel problems or sexual health.

Partners of menopausal women are often neglected. In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson talks to Leigh, a partner of one of her patients who vividly describes how worried he was when he saw the changes in his wife and had no idea what was going on. They discuss potential ways of improving education to men and partners. It is really important that partners are involved and understand potential symptoms. Partners can often have a pivotal role in diagnosing the perimenopause and menopause and can help seek the right advice and treatment.  Click here to take a look at this booklet, created by Dr Newson, which is a helpful guide specially created for partners to help a loved one manage the menopause: https://bit.ly/2NJkNXs Leigh Goulding's Three Take Home Tips for partners: Hold your tongue - any arguments you may be having may simply be due to perimenopaue and menopause. Do your research and make sure to check the sources of whatever you read. "Happy wife, happy life!"

In this episode, Dr Newson chats to Saska Graville, co founder of Mpoweredwomen.net; a community of doctors, wellbeing experts and brilliant women, to power you through menopause. Despite a career in women’s magazines, including being the deputy editor of Red, Saska had no idea that anxiety and loss of confidence were classic perimenopause symptoms. Hot flushes were the extent of her knowledge, and she’d never had one. She blamed her anxiety and loss of confidence in her late 40s on a career change.  MPowered Women ensures that no woman has to struggle and be uninformed about what the hell is going on with her physical and mental health, and what she can do about it. With no subject off limits, MPowered Women has her back.  www.mpoweredwomen.net Saska Graville's Three take Home Tips: Don't panic! Don't believe the headlines - search for factual, evidence-based advice. Take someone with you to your doctor's appointment if you're feeling nervous, and before you visit, look at the Menopause Doctor website and arm yourself with information and advice. Also, visit the Menopause Support website and download the 'Ten things your GP should know about the menopause'.

Kim Goulding is one of Dr Newson's patients here at Newson Health. In today's episode, Kim talks about her own experience with the menopause how she was offered antidepressants. She has always been the driving force behind her family and became socially withdrawn and very low in her mood. She had no idea initially what was happening to her and her life had really changed. She talks to Dr Newson about how she tried to receive the right treatment and her experience taking HRT. Kim's Three Take Home Tips: It can be difficult when struggling with severe symptoms, but go and find the right help. If your GP can't help you then go private if you can. Women should not have to pay for good quality menopause care, but getting the right treatment is priceless! Get informed and search for evidence-based resources, such as menopausedoctor.co.uk.

Sheona Khan is a medical writer who has been working closely with Dr Newson for several months. In this weeks episode, Dr Newson and Sheona have an open discussion with about how much she has learnt regarding the perimenopause and how little she knew about it until recently. They discuss ways of improving knowledge for women about the perimenopause and the menopause and also the importance of women receiving evidence based and non-biased information. Sheona asks Dr Newson questions about changing hormones, making a diagnosis and HRT and Dr Newson explains why she feels that younger women should be equipped with the right information regarding their future hormone health.  Sheona Khan's Three Take Home Tips about Perimenopause: Talk about it - make those conversations happen. You could be going through the same thing as a friend! If you are in your 40s and are experiencing tiredness, forgetfulness or stress - don't dismiss it, start thinking about your hormones. Don't wait for your symptoms to get really bad before you consider HRT. The earlier you start replacing your hormones, the better!    

Professor Geoffrey Hackett works as a consultant in Urology and Sexual Medicine. He is a prolific writer and educator about men's health and has a particular interest in low testosterone in men. In this episode, Dr Newson and Professor Hackett talk about how having a low testosterone level can affect men, how common it is and how men can receive help and treatment. Around 20% of men in the UK have low testosterone at some time in their life but few of these men are being diagnosed and treated. This is due to lack of awareness by patients and doctors, especially as symptoms are vague and often subject to incorrect diagnosis. Erectile problems can be a sign of cardiovascular disease so it is really important that men have the appropriate tests and receive the best treatment to improve their future health.  Professor Geoffrey Hackett's Three take Home Tips: Having erections and sexual activity is great for men's health. Regular sex can reduce the risk of heart failure and can prolong life. The quality of sex can matter more than the quantity. Erectile dysfunction is down to heart problems until proven otherwise. Don't just put it down to stress, age etc.

Lucy Holtom is a yoga teacher who works closely with Dr Newson here at Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. Lucy runs 'Living Your Yoga' and her classes encourage attendees to take time to connect with their inner world through ancient Yogic practices. These practices include co-ordinating the breath with movement; attention to alignment; seeking focus and balance; and finding comfort in challenging the body to open and release the accumulation of tension from life’s day-to-day habits. In this episode, Lucy talks to Dr Newson all about how yoga can nourish, restore and release physical, mental and emotional constraints, whilst building inner strength and confidence.  www.livingyouryoga.co.uk Lucy's Three Take Home Tips for Yoga Beginners: If you want to try a class, look for recommendations from others and chat to different teachers to find what's right for you. Wear comfortable clothing - you don't need to spend money on new yoga outfits, just wear whatever you can move freely in. Go with an open mind and enjoy!

Edward Joy has over 20 years’ experience as a complimentary healthcare practitioner, as an ethnobotanist Edward spends much of his time studying the components of plants in an aim to understand their nutritional benefits but he also adopts naturopathy into his practice.   Edward contributes regularly to articles for Only Natural and Holistic Therapist magazines. His  informal lectures and herb walks are attended by health professionals in the UK and throughout Europe from Ireland to Italy.  For the past 12 years Edward has worked closely with the Naturopathic Supplements Company, Bionutri, where his work includes procurement and product development. Working with an ingredient is one thing, ensuring the ingredient has benefit is Edward’s particular point of interest.   In an informal conversation with Dr Louise Newson, Edward Joy discusses the way herbs influence our health, particularly when integrated into the diet.  Edward Joy's Three Take Home Tips: When it comes to the menopause, don't deny it. Don't look for foods and herbs that can 'turn back the clock', look for ways to support and facilitate this time in your life. Think about supplements but do your research and look for the best quality. Be true to yourself! Be honest about your diet and nutrition and the areas you might be able to improve.