The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
Dr Louise Newson
Dr Louise Newson is an award-winning physician, respected women’s hormone specialist, educator, and author committed to increasing awareness and knowledge of perimenopause, menopause, and lifelong hormone health. Each week, Louise dives into the newest research, treatments and hot topic issues, providing accessible, evidence-based information to empower your future health. Joined by fellow experts and special guests, with answers to your burning questions, Louise explores how hormones impact every aspect of our lives.
Described as the “medic who kickstarted the menopause revolution”, Louise aims to empower a generation of women to have a greater understanding, choice and control over their treatment, bodies, minds and future health through their hormones. She is the creator of the award-winning free balance app, a Sunday Times bestselling author and the founder of the Newson Health clinic. With over three decades of clinical experience, Louise is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs, a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge, a regular contributor to academic journals including the Lancet and the British Journal of General Practice, and has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Health from Bradford University.
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.
Described as the “medic who kickstarted the menopause revolution”, Louise aims to empower a generation of women to have a greater understanding, choice and control over their treatment, bodies, minds and future health through their hormones. She is the creator of the award-winning free balance app, a Sunday Times bestselling author and the founder of the Newson Health clinic. With over three decades of clinical experience, Louise is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs, a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge, a regular contributor to academic journals including the Lancet and the British Journal of General Practice, and has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Health from Bradford University.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 24, 2024 • 33min
288 - I’m an A&E consultant: the changes you can make for a longer, healthier life
Joining Dr Louise Newson on the podcast this week is A&E consultant Professor Rob Galloway, who talks about his career to date and pressures facing the health service.
He also shares the nutrition and exercise changes he’s made in his own life that have improved his physical and mental health, as well as his top tips on living healthier for longer.
You can follow Professor Galloway on X @DrRobgalloway
Click here for more about Newson Health.
Dec 17, 2024 • 31min
287 - ADHD and perimenopause: Sumi's story
On this week’s episode, Dr Sumi Rampling, a GP and Menopause Specialist who works alongside Dr Louise at Newson Health, shares her personal story of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Diagnosed in early adulthood, Dr Sumi talks openly about the challenges of her ADHD diagnosis, as well as the impact that hormone changes, including perimenopause, can have on women with ADHD.
She talks about the determination her condition has given her, and also offers advice for women navigating hormone changes and ADHD.
Download balance’s ADHD and menopause booklet here.
Click here for more about Newson Health.
Dec 10, 2024 • 30min
286 - Looking back on menopause and hormone health in 2024 – and what does the future hold?
In a departure from our usual format, as we reach the end of 2024, Dr Louise looks back on her highlights of this year, including her recent theatre tour, her education work and the work of the Newson Health research team.
She looks at some of the key developments for menopause in 2024, and busts some myths around hormones and hormone replacement therapy. Plus, she’ll be looking forward to 2025, and sharing details of some exciting work for the year ahead.
For more information on Newson Health, click here.
Dec 3, 2024 • 30min
285 - Friendships and menopause: how conversations can be transformational
Joining Dr Louise this week is Louise Mulley, who shares her experience of anxiety and menopause.
Louise shares the importance of speaking openly about menopause and mental health, and how a conversation with a close friend helped her recognise her symptoms and find the right support and treatment.
She also shares her top three tips on helping friends or loved ones who may be struggling with their mental health during perimenopause and menopause:
Help your friend unburden: ask them ‘would you like to talk to me about it?’. Make it clear they can talk to you with no judgement and in confidence.
Share your own menopause story to encourage your friend to open up about what they may be going through.
Keep an open mind: if you’re a woman of menopausal age and experiencing mood changes, consider that it might be your hormones.
For more information on Newson Health, click here.
4 snips
Nov 26, 2024 • 33min
284 - Migraines and menopause: what’s the connection?
Dr Rebecca Walker, a GP specializing in headaches and migraines, joins to share her insights on the complex nature of migraines, especially in relation to hormonal changes during menopause. They discuss the stigma around migraines, effective management strategies, and the impact of lifestyle choices. Walker also addresses misconceptions about HRT usage for those with migraines, explaining how individualized treatments can alleviate symptoms. With practical tips and a focus on personalizing care, this conversation is both informative and empowering for migraine sufferers.
Nov 19, 2024 • 38min
283 - Hormonal changes and endometriosis: busting myths and seeking help
In this discussion, Jen Moore, a passionate campaigner for endometriosis awareness, shares her personal journey of battling late diagnosis and multiple surgeries. She emphasizes the importance of finding a specialist, not facing the struggle alone, and persevering through the often exhausting treatment process. Jen debunks myths surrounding endometriosis, highlights the emotional toll of being disbelieved, and discusses the vital difference between symptom management and addressing the underlying disease. Her insights aim to empower others on their health journeys.
Nov 12, 2024 • 34min
282 - Motor neurone disease and perimenopause: Nicola's story
This week, Dr Louise is joined by Nicola McFarlane, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2023.
Nicola shares the story of her MND diagnosis, as well as the barriers she faced in accessing treatment for perimenopause symptoms – including low mood, anxiety and recurrent UTIs – to improve her quality of life.
Nicola talks about how health professionals often put her perimenopause symptoms (which pre-dated her MND diagnosis) down to her MND, and why she is sharing her own experiences to help other women living with MND and facing hormonal changes.
For more information on Newson Health, click here.
Nov 5, 2024 • 33min
281 - Blind spots in modern medicine, with Dr Marty Makary
On this week’s episode Dr Louise is joined by Dr Marty Makary, Johns Hopkins professor, member of the National Academy of Medicine and bestselling author.
Together they discuss the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative study on women’s hormone health, menopause education for healthcare professionals and the importance of patient-centred care that focuses on root causes, rather than just symptoms.
Dr Marty talks about his new book Blind Spots, and the importance of asking big questions in medicine.
You can follow Dr Marty on Instagram @martymakary, and TikTok @marty.makary
For more information on Newson Health, click here.
Dr Louise Newson’s first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, runs until 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.
Oct 29, 2024 • 32min
280 - What is lifestyle medicine and how can it help your menopause?
Dr Tash Mirando and Dr June Tan Sheren, GPs at Osler Health International, share insights on lifestyle medicine's role in menopause care. They discuss crucial aspects like nutrition, sleep, and exercise for women’s health, emphasizing holistic approaches. The duo debunks myths about menopause across different ethnicities and share the importance of empowerment in making informed health choices. They also highlight the evolution of menopause care in Singapore with a focus on patient-provider rapport as key to successful health transformations.
Oct 22, 2024 • 35min
279: Heart health, hormones and menopause: what you need to know, with Dr Jeremy London
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women and this risk increases after the menopause, and a woman’s risk of heart attack is around five times higher after the menopause than before*.
Joining Louise on this week’s podcast is Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon based in the US, to discuss heart health, hormones and menopause.
They discuss the role of oestrogen in reducing inflammation in the body, why women typically present with different heart attack symptoms compared to men – and the signs to look out for – and the crucial role of nutrition and exercise in maintaining good heart health.
Finally, Dr London shares his top three tips on what women (and men!) can do to help their future cardiac health:
Don't smoke: it is the single worst thing you can do for your health in general. From a cardiac standpoint, from a blood vessel standpoint, for the risk of lung cancer.
Nutrition: avoid processed foods and eat real, whole foods.
Exercise and recovery: look to incorporate resistance training and some aerobic training, and don’t forget about recovery and prioritising sleep.
*El Khoudary, S.R. et al. (2020), Boardman, H. et al. (2015).
Follow Dr London on Instagram @drjeremylondon
For more information on Newson Health, click here.
Dr Louise Newson’s first-ever live theatre tour, Hormones and Menopause – The Great Debate, runs until 12 November. For more information and tickets, click here.
