The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Does menopause speed up ageing? The science shows inflammation accelerates in perimenopause, and estrogen can slow it. Nikolina Lauc is CEO of GlycanAge, which measures a marker of low-grade inflammation in our antibodies, building on research her father has dedicated his scientific career to. Nikolina’s research shows estrogen can prevent, and even reverse, the rise in inflammation that comes with menopause. Dr Louise Newson explains why so many chronic diseases, from heart disease to dementia, are driven by inflammation, why estrogen is being overlooked in the longevity conversation and what happens to women whose ovaries are removed young and are never given hormones back. They also discuss why inflammation soars after childbirth, and how progesterone can be used to treat postnatal depression. Nikolina closes with three things she wants research to answer next, from personalising HRT doses to whether therapy can calm inflammation. Follow Nikolina: @nikolinalauc Let’s connect 👉I've written a whole chapter…

Primodos was the pregnancy test pill containingsynthetic hormones that was prescribed to millions of women during the 50s, 60s and 70s that caused severe congenital malformations, stillbirths and miscarriages.Primodos contained etihylestradiol and norethisterone - two synthetic hormones that are still prescribed every day as contraception to millions of women. These risks were covered up by Schering, the drug company, and the Committee of Safety of Medicine decided not to warn people of the harms of these synthetic hormones as they did not want women to be “scared away” from taking contraceptive pills which contain the same synthetic hormones. In 1970, Marie Lyon’s GP prescribed her Primodos tablets to find out whether she was pregnant with her first baby. Nobody mentioned any risks, and when her daughter Sarah was born with part of her arm missing, Marie was told “these things happen”. She has campaigned for decades as chair of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests. Millions of…

Can hormones help postpartum psychosis? Why the fall in estrogen and progesterone after birth is so often overlooked. Jade Lloyd had her daughter in December 2020 after a three-day labour. Within months she was living with anxiety, intrusive thoughts and suicidal feelings, and when she asked her health visitor for help she was told to have a glass of wine, some chocolate and a bath. Weeks later she had her first psychotic episode and was admitted to a mother and baby unit, yet hormones were never once mentioned as part of her treatment. Jade, now a maternal mental health advocate, talks to Dr Louise Newson about recovery, relapse and why her GP said it wasn't normal for a 32-year-old to take hormones. Louise explains the pioneering work of Dr Katharina Dalton, how some antipsychotics can lower hormone levels and where progesterone may help. Jade closes with three take-home tips for spotting the signs and finding support. Follow Jade: @jadealloyd Let’s connect 👉 If hormones have never been part of the…

Biochemist Dr Phyllis Bronson on why women who can't tolerate progesterone may actually be reacting to progestogens/progestins (the synthetic type of progesterone) Phyllis has spent decades researching progesterone and mood, and her doctoral work looked at the molecular differences between body identical progesterone and the synthetic progestogens found in many contraceptive pills and older types of HRT. She joins Dr Louise Newson to share the primate study that changed how she saw synthetic hormones, and why a small change to a molecule can have such a big effect on the body. They talk about progesterone as the "molecule of calm", how transdermal and oral progesterone work differently in the brain and why some women may simply need a higher dose. They also discuss progesterone's role in making cortisol, and why it's often the first hormone to decline, sometimes as early as your 20s and 30s.

Can you take HRT if you have endometriosis? Nicola Roberts feared it would bring her pain back. Now she takes estradiol, progesterone and testosterone and feels the best she has since she was 12. Nicola's periods were agonising from the start, but she was put on the pill at 13 and told by nurses to take Anadin and use a hot water bottle. At 25 she was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis, then spent years on Depo-Provera, which left her with low mood, body aches and, at 40, osteoporosis. Dr Louise Newson explains why synthetic contraceptives aren't the same as hormones, why Depo-Provera works "like giving you a menopause straight off", and how low testosterone is linked to endometriosis. They also talk about why so few women are offered testosterone, and how changing her diet and cutting sugar helped Nicola. Nicola closes with her take-home advice for anyone with endometriosis who has been told hormones aren't an option. Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms andunderstand hormones, download the Balance app:…

Doctors are being taught to treat hormone guidance as if it's law, but according to retired GP and medical educator Dr Mark Coombe, that guidance is too often "at best very conservative, at worst wrong." Mark spent two decades in education and assessment for the Royal College of GPs and founded FourteenFish, the training platform used by hundreds of thousands of clinicians. He and Louise previously built free hormone education for GPs together — education that was pulled from its hosting platform after a handful of doctors complained it didn't "run to the guidelines." In this conversation, Mark and Louise unpack how guidance gets misused as law in consultations and courtrooms, why NICE menopause guidance mentions breast cancer over 20 times more often than osteoporosis, and why more female GPs take HRT than the general public despite so much hesitancy to prescribe it. They close with three take-home tips on why every healthcare professional has a duty of care to understand progesterone, estradiol and…

In this really interesting episode, two ocean rowers over 50 share their menopause journeys. One of them takes all three hormones, and the other would love to but has been refused testosterone by so many doctors. Gail Wolstenholme and Nicola Matthews are part of Team Old Enough to Row Better, a five-person crew aiming to become the oldest mixed team to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in the World's Toughest Row. Gail takes all three hormones and describes testosterone as "like the sun coming out." Nicola has tried the Mirena coil, gels and patches without feelinglike herself, was told by one GP she was too old for "that mucky stuff" and handed antidepressants, and still can't get testosterone prescribed in Scotland. Dr Louise Newson explains why it's still so hard to access evidence-based hormone treatment, why testosterone matters for women's mood, energy and coordination, and why you can't exercise your way out of hormone deficiency. They also share why taking up something new after 50 matters, from…

Consultant dermatologist Dr Saj Rajpar, making his fifth visit to the podcast, joins Louise to explain why acne, hair loss and ageing skin are so often driven by hormones rather than skincare. Saj runs Midland Skin in Birmingham and has worked alongside Louise for years, since a shared patient's hair loss first brought them together. That collaboration runs through this conversation, from hormonal acne that flares before every period to a patient whose acne returned after switching from bioidentical progesterone to the Mirena coil. They also discuss why "dermatologist" isn't a protected title and what to check before booking high-street laser treatments, how the contraceptive pill and synthetic progestogens can block oestrogen's benefits for skin, and why dramatic skin ageing can be a sign of unaddressed menopause rather than normal ageing. Louise closes, as always, with three take-home tips — this time on why the skin matters more than you'd think. Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms andunderstand hormones,…

Mathilde Barker was 23 when she finally understood why, since the age of 14, doctors had told her it was "just" muscle strain, put her on antidepressants, and once removed her appendix by mistake. It took five years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis, and two surgeries later, adenomyosis too. She joins Dr Louise Newson to talk through her whole journey: the misdiagnoses, a scan result that was reversed by a phone call, being told by a doctor at 19 that having a baby would cure her symptoms, and the reality of being put into a medically induced menopause in her twenties just to manage the pain. Louise explains what's actually happening in the body with endometriosis and adenomyosis, why low testosterone and progesterone are so common in women with these conditions, and why blocking hormones completely isn't always the right approach. Louise ends, as always, with three take-home tips for anyone who suspects they — or someone they know — might have endometriosis or adenomyosis. Lets connect 👉 Track your…

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Pooja Saini and psychologist Dr Olivia Hendriks to discuss their important research into perimenopause, menopause and suicide risk. Together, they explore why hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can have such profound impacts on mental health, and why this connection is still often overlooked in both research and clinical care. They also discuss findings showing significant improvements in mental health and suicidal thoughts with appropriate hormone treatments, and why greater awareness, better research and more frequent prescribing of hormones are urgently needed to improve the health of women. This is a really important episode highlighting the important link between menopause and suicide risk that can’t be ignored. Let’s connect 👉 Read the full research paper discussed in this episode: https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/hormone-related-suicide-risk-going-undetected 👉 More from Dr Louise Newson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

Jo flew supersonic jets under extreme pressure for a living, but missed the menopause happening inside her own body. This week Dr Louise Newson is joined by Jo Salter, Britain's first female fast jet pilot, who spent years pushing through severe menopause symptoms without realising what they were, until she found herself mentally ticking off a symptom checklist in the middle of a conference. They talk about why testosterone is still so hard for women to access even on an NHS prescription, and the guidelines that leave many women denied any hormones at all after a surgical menopause. Louise also explains why breast cancer shouldn't automatically rule out HRT, the buried history of progesterone and postnatal depression, and shares a patient story that shows just how much hormones can transform a life. Jo closes with her three take-home tips for building the confidence to advocate for your own health. Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms and understand hormones, download the Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A 👉…

Rose Stokes, journalist and host of the Matter of Fat podcast, joins Dr Louise Newson to talk GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, the hormones behind weight gain and the shame around women's bodies. Rose has lived with obesity on and off for thirty years and is currently taking GLP-1 medication herself, after months of exercise and calorie counting made no difference to her weight post-pregnancy. She and Louise talk candidly about what these drugs can and can't do, and why "easy" is the last word Rose would use to describe taking them. Louise explains why women are so often told their weight is a food and exercise problem when the real cause can be hormonal. They also cover the research gaps around GLP-1s and women's hormones and why blame and shame make it harder to get the right help. Rose closes with her three take-home tips for anyone rethinking their relationship with weight. Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms and understand hormones, download the Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A 👉 More from Dr LouiseNewson:…

Up to 80% of women with PMDD have suicidal thoughts. Online, it's being trivialised as the 'luteal uglies'. In this solo episode, Dr Louise Newson explains what'sactually happening in the second half of your menstrual cycle. She describes the sharp drop in progesterone that can trigger low mood, anxiety, irritability, brain fog, fatigue and more, and why calling it the 'lutealuglies’ does women a disservice. Louise traces how PMDD was made a psychiatric condition in the 1960s and 70s, sidelining the work of Dr Katharina Dalton, a GP whose research on natural progesterone was decades ahead of its time. She explains why hormonal contraception doesn't actually contain hormones, why low testosterone is so often mistaken for fibromyalgia or depression, and how a symptom questionnaire can help you track your own pattern across your cycle. Louise closes with three take-home tips on getting the right diagnosis and treatment and why sharing this episode matters. Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms andunderstand…

Kim Smith went on a family holiday to Spain with a UTI and woke up nine weeks later having lost all four limbs to sepsis. Twice missed by Spanish doctors, Kim's kidney pain and uncontrollable shivering escalated so fast she doesn't remember being flown home. She tells Dr Louise Newson what actually happened, from the misdiagnosis to being told all four limbs would need amputating, and how she's rebuilt her life since as a quadruple amputee and sepsis awareness advocate. Louise and Kim discuss the sepsis warning signs so often missed, why kidney pain and sudden shivering are red flags, and how around 30% of sepsis cases start as a urine infection. They also cover why vaginal hormones significantly cut UTI frequency and severity and are safe for almost everyone, including women who've had breast cancer, yet are still rarely prescribed. Kim shares her three take-home tips on sepsis before the episode ends. Follow Kim: @kims2ndchance Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms andunderstand hormones, download the…

Nutritionist Dominique Ludwig, author of No NonsenseNutrition, explains why your gut controls your hormones and hunger. Dominique trained at King's College and has spent 20 years in clinical practice, working with around 4,500m people before writing the book that turns her clinic advice, and the recipes behind it, into something anyone can use at home. Louise and Dominique talk through how your liver and gut clear out old hormones, why the wrong gut bacteria can impact your hormones and how the Contraceptive Pill can block your absorption of B12, zinc and folate. They also unpick why protein and fibre switch on the body's own satiety hormones (the same pathway GLP-1 medications work on) and why so many of Dominique's clients describe the disappearance of "food noise" as life-changing. Follow Dominique: @dominiqueludwig_nutrition Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms and understand hormones, download the Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A 👉 More from Dr LouiseNewson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

Many women are told that all hormone treatments are essentially the same. But the reality is far more complex, and understanding the difference could have a significant impact on your health, fitness and wellbeing. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by women’s health and fitness coach Davey Maher to discuss why bioidentical and synthetic hormones work differently in the body, how they influence inflammation, muscle, metabolism and long-term health, and why these differences are so often overlooked. Together, they explore why so many women struggle with weight gain and muscle loss during midlife, why strength training and nutrition become increasingly important as hormone levels change, and how taking the right hormones alongside healthy lifestyle habits can help women stay stronger, healthier and more active for longer. Let’s connect 👉 Track your symptoms and understand hormones, download the Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A 👉 More from Dr Louise Newson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

Natalie Sykes spent years using heroin and crack cocaine to self-medicate undiagnosed PMDD, autism and ADHD, and now finally understands why. Natalie, founder of the PMDD & Neurodivergence Alliance, tells Dr Louise Newson how PMDD's crushing hormonal mood swings collided with undiagnosed autism and ADHD to leave her, in her words, "allergic to my own body." Misdiagnosed as bipolar for decades, she turned to substances that numbed what nobody could explain. While using heroin, her PMDD symptoms disappeared completely. Louise explains that progesterone, estradiol and testosterone act directly on the brain's opioid and dopamine receptors, so when women are chronically short of these hormones, the body looks for relief elsewhere. They discuss why neurodivergent women are especially vulnerable to this pattern and why harm reduction has to be part of the conversation. Natalie shares her three take-home tips for anyone who suspects PMDD, ADHD or autism might be behind their struggle to cope. If you've experienced…

In India, one woman asked her gynaecologist about HRT and was told: "over my dead body." Dr Louise Newson travels to India to meet Sanjith Shetty, founder of the menopause community Miror and one of the country's most vocal male allies for women's hormone health. Sanjith built Miror after studying hundreds of femtech companies and finding that menopause, a phase every woman goes through, had almost no support compared to maternal and menstrual health. His community has since grown to thousands of Indian women openly discussing HRT, and he is now pushing corporates and government to take hormone health seriously. Louise and Sanjith discuss why so many doctors in Indiaremain frightened of prescribing HRT, what it costs women's careers and confidence and the early signs that attitudes among doctors, employers and government are starting to shift. They close with three things Sanjith wants to see happen in the next five years to improve hormone health for women across India. Let’s connect 👉 To access…

Rosie Moss spent years being told her symptoms were simply grief, when actually there was undiagnosed PMDD also at play. Rosie hosts the podcast Widowed AF, and after her husband Ben died suddenly in a scuba diving accident in 2018, she was left to raise three young children while experiencing monthly crises that went far beyond ordinary grief, including periods of being unable to leave her bed for days at a time. Over the following years she was prescribed a succession of medications, from antidepressants to sedatives to an antipsychotic, none of which addressed what was actually happening to her hormones. Rosie describes being threatened with the police at A&E and being refused the estrogen dose that had finally brought her stability, while Dr Louise explains why physical symptoms such as joint pain and night sweats are often a sign that hormones are involved rather than grief alone, and why current guidelines still recommend antidepressants for PMDD despite limited evidence that they help. Rosie also…

Dr Holly Carding, GP, Women’s Hormone Specialist and Education Lead at Newson Education, joins Louise to expose the hormone training gap that leaves doctors too scared to prescribe hormone treatments including progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. Holly had almost no training on hormones as a medical student and as a GP, became a menopause champion after returning from maternity leave and now leads global education for Newson Education, building the Confidence in Hormones course from scratch to close a training and education gap for all healthcare professionals globally - including for GPs, nurses, pharmacists, psychiatrists, cardiologists and all other doctors. They discuss the course's modules on testosterone prescribing, mental health, and individualising care for women with a history of breast cancer or clots, why "just a guideline" isn't enough for real patients, and the Hormones Uncovered conference returning as a two-day event in London, Hormones and Healthspan, in March. Holly leaves three…

Content advisory: This episode contains themes of mental health and suicide Anna, a nurse, was sectioned, hospitalised in psychiatric wards for months and overdosed more than once, all while being diagnosed with everything from treatment-resistant depression to a personality disorder. It took over a decade for anyone to link it to her hormones and to believe her. She tells Dr Louise Newson how her suicidal episodes tracked her menstrual cycle for ten years, yet doctors dismissed her and used her own theory about hormones as evidence she wasn't well. Even after a hysterectomy, a reaction to synthetic progestogen from a Mirena coil, and repeated admissions, it took a private gynaecologist to diagnose PMDD and start her on hormone treatments (HRT). Louise and Anna unpick why psychiatry so often overlooks hormones, the real difference between progesterone and synthetic progestogens and why removing the ovaries doesn't usually remove the problem. Plus three take-home tips for getting hormonal symptoms taken…

Psychiatrist Dr Sue Varma joins Dr Louise Newson to unpack why hormones are so often left out of mental health care and what gets missed as a result, from puberty to postpartum to perimenopause. Dr Varma is a board-certified psychiatrist and was the first medical director of the World Trade Center Mental Health Program, treating 9/11 survivors and first responders. Sue and Louise discuss why psychiatric training leaves out hormones' role in the brain - memory, mood, dementia risk - and why a proper medical work-up (thyroid, B12, vitamin D, hormones) should come before a psychiatric label. They talk about the stigma around seeking help, the risk of over-medicalising ordinary emotions and Sue's practical tools for difficult periods such as the "four M's" of mental health, the worry diary and her four-step framework - name it, tame it, claim it, reframe it. Sue closes with three take-home tips for anyone having a difficult time right now. Let’s connect 👉 Track your mood symptoms with the Balance app:…

Love Is Blind's Demi Santana Brown opens up aboutendometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids and the power of natural hormones. Before Love Is Blind UK, Demi was a professional footballer for Millwall, West Ham and Leyton Orient - playing through heavy, painful periods for years before doctors took her seriously. She joins Dr Louise Newsonto share what it's really like to be dismissed by doctors, why the contraceptive pill made her mental health worse and how an online hormone test told her she was "fine" when her testosterone was actuallydangerously low. Louise explains the real difference between synthetic and natural hormones, why testosterone and progesterone matter for endometriosis and how reducing inflammation can ease pain, heavy bleeding and fatigue. They also discuss medical misogyny, harmful advice like "just get pregnant," and Demi’s three take-home tips for anyone struggling with endometriosis. Let’s connect 👉 Follow Demi: @demisantanabrown 👉 Track your hormones properly with the Balance app:…

Hair loss can have a profound impact on confidence, yet many women are told it’s simply part of getting older or encouraged to spend hundreds of pounds on products that promise far more than they can deliver. This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by consultant dermatologist and hair specialist Dr Archana Rao to explore the powerful relationship between hormones, menopause and hair health. Together they explain why changes in your hair are often a sign of what’s happening inside the body, why hormones matter far more than many people realise and why getting the right diagnosis is so important. They discuss the different types of hair loss women can experience during perimenopause and menopause, including frontal fibrosing alopecia, an increasingly common condition that can cause permanent hair loss if left untreated. Dr Rao explains the warning signs to look out for, why early diagnosis matters, and how treatment can help prevent further damage. Louise and Archana also talk about the role of oestrogen,…

Women are often told to choose between hormone treatment or lifestyle changes, when in reality the two work best together. This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by GP and lifestyle medicine physician Dr Clare Nieland to explore how nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management and social connection work alongside hormones to improve women’s health. Together they discuss why lifestyle medicine is grounded in evidence rather than wellness trends, why preventing disease should be just as important as treating it and how small, sustainable lifestyle changes can reduce inflammation, improve symptoms and lower the risk of future disease. They also explain why hormones are often the missing piece that enable women to make positive lifestyle changes in the first place. Louise and Clare discuss: Why hormones and lifestyle medicine should work together, not be seen as alternatives The six pillars of lifestyle medicine and how they support women’s health Why reducing inflammation is key to preventing chronic disease…

Having your ovaries removed causes an immediate menopause, yet many women are still told to simply ‘see how they get on’ afterwards. This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Laura Daly, who shares her experience of surgical menopause at the age of 37 following treatment for severe endometriosis. Having seen first-hand how hormonetreatment transformed her mother’s life after PMDD, Laura knew she wanted to understand her options before surgery and advocate for the care she needed. Together they discuss why replacing hormones after surgical menopause is about far more than relieving symptoms. Laura shares how she experienced brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, palpitations, poor sleep and a loss of confidence despite being prescribed a standard dose of HRT, and explains the remarkable improvements she noticed once her hormone treatment was personalised. Louise and Laura also explore why hormone treatments should be individualised, why women who have their ovaries removed lose more than just estrogen and why…

Becoming a mother is often described as the happiest time in a woman’s life. But for many, it can also be the hardest. In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Motherhood Coach, Maternal Mental Wellbeing expert and Founder of Mind Mommy Coaching, Laura Guckian, who shares her deeply personal story of severe postnatal mental health difficulties that led her to admit herself to a psychiatric hospital when her son was just 10 months old. Years later, she was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, helping her make sense of experiences that had never fully been explained. Together, Louise and Laura explore why hormonal changes after pregnancy can have such profound effects on the brain, particularly for neurodivergent women, and why hormones are so often overlooked in conversations about maternal mental health. They discuss the limitations of labels such as postnatal depression, why antidepressants don’t address the underlying cause for every woman and how understanding progesterone, testosterone and…

Hormone treatments are often seen as a treatment to help with symptoms, but many clinicians still do not understand how they can improve our future health too. This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by physician, endocrinologist and longevity expert Dr Florence Comite to explore why balancing hormones is about far more than managing symptoms. Together they discuss how hormones influence every organ in the body, why healthcare should focus more on preventing diseases than treating them and why personalised medicine is key to helping people live healthier for longer. Florence explains why the hormones estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are so important for brain, heart, bone and muscle health, why testosterone starts declining long before menopause, and how understanding an individual’s unique biology can transform the way we approach ageing. Together, Louise and Florence discuss: Why balancing hormones can reduce the risk of future disease The differences between bioidentical and synthetic hormone…

We’re surrounded by advice about what to eat, how toexercise and the latest wellness trends. Yet despite having more health information than ever before, many people feel overwhelmed, exhausted and nohealthier. This week, Dr Louise Newson is joined by nutritionist, podcast host and bestselling author Sarah Ann Macklin to explore why looking after our health shouldn’t feel so complicated. Together they discuss the powerful connection between the mind and body, why self-compassion is backed by growing scientific evidence, and how our thoughts can influence everything from the food choices we make to the way our bodies respond to stress. Sarah shares her own remarkable journey from international model to being critically ill in her twenties, an experience that completely changed how she viewed health. She explains why understanding her mind became just as important as understanding nutrition, and why sustainable health starts with kindness rather than perfection. Together, Louise and Sarah discuss: why mindset…

Many women suddenly start feeling anxious, overwhelmed or unlike themselves during times of hormonal change. They often assume they’re no longer coping or are told it’s simply stress, depression or the pressures of everyday life, while the role of changing hormones is never considered. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by therapist and executive coach Elinor Wilde to explore the often-overlooked relationship between hormones and mental health. Together, they discuss why so many women fail to recognise the signs of perimenopause, how hormonal symptoms can be mistaken for psychological illness or burnout and the lasting impact this can have on confidence, relationships and sense of self. Whether you’ve been wondering why you no longer feel like yourself, are supporting someone who is struggling or want to better understand the connection between hormones and mental wellbeing, this episode offers reassurance, practical advice and hope. If you are struggling with your mental health during times of…

We’re losing experienced, talented women from the workforce because hormonal symptoms are still being overlooked, misunderstood and too often left untreated. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Mecky McNeil, a former GP and health educator who is leading work to improve understanding of hormones and menopause in workplaces across Europe. Having trained together at medical school, Louise and Mecky reflect on how generations of doctors were left without the confidence to prescribe hormone replacement therapy following the publication of the Women’s Health Initiative study, and the lasting consequences this has had for women. They explore why the most common hormone-related symptoms affecting work are often not hot flushes, but brain fog, poor concentration, anxiety, fatigue and loss of confidence. They also discuss the growing number of women reducing their hours, changing careers or leaving the workforce altogether because their symptoms are unrecognised or untreated, despite effective…

For women living with epilepsy, times of hormonal changes can all bring unexpected changes in seizure patterns. Yet many are never told that fluctuating hormones could be playing a role. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by women’s hormone specialist nurse Sian Rees to explore the complex relationship between epilepsy and hormones. Together they discuss why around one in three women with epilepsy experience hormone-related changes in their seizures, why symptoms can worsen during perimenopause and how stabilising hormones may help improve both seizure control and quality of life. Whether you have epilepsy yourself, care for someone who does, or simply want to better understand how hormones affect the brain, and how hormone treatments can help, this episode offers practical insights and an important conversation that has been missing for far too long. LET'S CONNECT 👉 Subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+ 👉…

What’s the difference between natural and synthetic hormone treatments, and why does it matter? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by pharmacist and hormone expert Sara Hover, who has spent more than 30 years helping women understand hormone health. Together, they explore one of the most misunderstood topics in medicine: why natural, bioidentical hormone treatments are fundamentally different from synthetic hormone treatments, despite often being grouped together. Louise and Sarah discuss how small changes in a hormone’s chemical structure have very different effects throughout the body, why synthetic hormone treatments shouldn’t be considered interchangeable with natural, bioidentical hormone treatments, and how decades of confusion have influenced the way hormone treatments are prescribed and researched. They also explore why personalised hormone treatment is so important, the limitations of relying on blood tests alone and why conversations about hormones shouldn’t begin and end with menopause.…

Many people only think about hormones in relation tomenopause, puberty or fertility. But hormones influence every cell in yourbody, affecting everything from your energy and metabolism to inflammation, sleep and long-term health. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by consultant endocrinologist and author Dr Saira Hameed to uncover the extraordinary roles hormones play throughout the body, and why so many myths and misunderstandings about hormones still exist. Together they explain how hormones act as the body’scommunication system, why medicine has traditionally focused on diagnosing hormonal disease rather than preventing it, and why conditions such as insulinresistance are often missed for years. They also discuss why hormone blood tests should never be interpreted in isolation, and why understanding your symptoms is as important as understanding your results. Whether you’ve been told your hormones are “normal”, want to better understand your symptoms, or are simply fascinated by how the human…

For years, Jenny was wrongly told she had depression. She was prescribed antidepressants, saw multiple healthcare professionals and even underwent a hysterectomy, yet no one addressed the underlying hormonal changes driving her symptoms. In this powerful episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Jenny Potkins, who shares her deeply personal experience of living with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe hormone-related condition that can have a devastating impacts on mental and physical health. Jenny describes years of feeling dismissed, the toll PMDD has taken on her family, and why she is now campaigning to raise awareness so that other women don’t have to go through the same dreadful experience. Louise explains why PMDD is often misunderstood, how fluctuating hormone levels can affect the brain and the whole body, and why so many women are still often inappropriately prescribed antidepressants or encouraged to have surgery before natural hormones are even considered. Together, they discuss the…

Millions of women were prescribed Primodos as a pregnancy test even though there were concerns that it was associated with many different and often devastating birth defects. More than 60 years later, many of the questions surrounding the drug - which contains synthetic hormones that are still prescribed to women today - remain unanswered. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by ProfessorNeil Vargesson, Professor of Developmental Biology at the University of Aberdeen, whose research into Primodos has helped shine a light on one of themost dreadful drug scandals in modern medicine. Together, they explore how Primodos came to be prescribed, why concerns raised by women were not properly investigated, and why it took 20 years for the drug to be withdrawn. They also discuss what the scandal reveals about the regulation of medicines, the importance of knowing about the difference between synthetic and natural hormones and why this history should never be forgotten. We hope you love the podcast. If you…

For many women diagnosed with cancer, conversations about hormones end before they’ve even begun. They’re often told they can never take hormone treatment again, without being given the evidence, the options or the opportunity to make an informed choice. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by women’shealth nurse and educator Jill Chmielewski to discuss why so many women are denied balanced information about hormones after cancer, and why this needs tochange. Together, they explore the widespread misconceptionssurrounding hormones, the importance of understanding physiology rather thanrelying on outdated assumptions, and why decisions about treatment should always consider both long term health and quality of life. Whether you’ve had cancer yourself, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to better understand the role hormones play in lifelong health, this episode offers reassurance, evidence and hope. LET'S CONNECT 👉 Subscribe on YouTube…

Migraine is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide, yet it’s still widely misunderstood and often dismissed as “just a headache”. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by neurologist and migraine specialist Dr Eli Sader to explore what migraine really is, why it happens and why it affects so much more than pain alone. Dr.Elie Sader is a double board-certified neurologist and pain physician. Known online as Dr. Painkiller, he creates evidence-based migraine and pain educationacross platforms, cutting through medical misinformation with clinical rigor and a healthy skepticism toward wellness hype. They discuss the different stages of a migraine attack, common triggers, and why symptoms can vary so much between individuals. Eli explains what is happening in the brain during a migraine and why recognising the early signs is so important. Louise and Eli also explore the powerful connection between hormones and migraine, including why fluctuating hormone levels can worsen symptoms during…

We often talk about living longer, but what about living better? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by award-winning technology journalist, broadcaster and author Lara Lewington to explore the difference between lifespan and health span, and why the future of healthcare needs to focus on preventing disease rather than simply treating it. They discuss how advances in technology and artificial intelligence could transform the way we understand our health, identify disease risk earlier and personalise healthcare in ways that were previously unimaginable. Louise and Lara also explore the growing role of wearable technology, health tracking and genomics, as well as the challenges that come with having more information about our bodies. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might find it helpful. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor Website 👉…

For decades, women have been told to fear hormones. But what if understanding them is one of the most important steps you can take for your current and future health? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by South African GP and functional medicine specialist Dr Mary Atkinson to discuss the vital role hormones play throughout the body and why women deserve better information to make informed choices about their health. Drawing on both her professional expertise and personal experience, Mary explains how hormones influence everything from brain function and bone health to cardiovascular health, inflammation and healthy ageing. Together, Louise and Mary explore the growing evidence around hormone treatments and disease prevention, discuss the importance of individualised care, and examine why so many women still struggle to access accurate information and appropriate treatment. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it…

So many women are wrongly told they need to stop takinghormone treatments when they reach a certain age, yet there is noevidence-based age limit for natural hormone treatments. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Paula Keats who previously worked in the City as a Head ofHR for an international investment bank. Paula has been taking hormone treatments for 33 yearsand is still benefiting from them at the age of 77. Paula shares why she chose to continue hormone treatments through the fallout of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, the difference hormones have made to her life, and whyshe has no intention of stopping. Together, Louise and Paula discuss the misconceptionssurrounding hormone treatments in later life, why so many women are still being denied hormone treatments because of their age, and the importance of individualised care and treatments rather than arbitrary cut-offs. Whether you’re already taking hormone treatments, wonderingif you should continue, or have been told you’re “too…

Why are so many women only discovering they have ADHD during perimenopause? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by wellbeing coach, author and host of the ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, Kate Moryoussef, for an important conversation about ADHD in women and the often overlooked role hormones can play. Kate shares how she was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 40 after recognising the same struggles in her daughter during homeschooling. Together, Louise and Kate explore why ADHD can present differently in women, how symptoms are often missed for years, and why hormonal changes during puberty, postnatal years and perimenopause can make symptoms significantly worse. The conversation highlights the importance of looking beyond labels, understanding the whole person and empowering women with better information so they can advocate for the support they deserve. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might…

So many women notice changes in their skin and hair duringtimes of hormonal change, yet hormones are rarely discussed as part of the conversation. In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by consultantdermatologist Dr Sajjad Rajpar to explore the powerful relationship between hormones, skin health and ageing. Together they discuss why the skin is far more than just appearance, how declining hormone levels can affect collagen, wound healing, inflammation and hair health, and why skin changes may actually reflect what is happening inside the body too. The episode also explores the wider health implications ofcollagen loss, including bone health and osteoporosis, alongside the importance of looking beyond symptoms to address underlying hormone deficiencies. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode,please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might find it helpful. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor Website 👉…

What happens when women finally realise they’re not “going crazy”, but experiencing hormonal changes? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by comedian and content creator Matt Hyams, whose viral social media videos about perimenopause have resonated with millions of women around the world. Together, they discuss the reality of living throughperimenopause, why so many women feel dismissed or misunderstood and the impact hormonal changes can have on mood, relationships, confidence and mental health.Matt shares how his humorous videos unexpectedly became a source of validation for women who finally felt seen and understood. Louise also explains why fluctuating hormones can affect the brain, why symptoms are so often missed by healthcare professionals and how the right treatment can be life-changing. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might find it helpful. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉…

Why do we wait for people to become ill before we help them get better? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by GP and preventative health specialist Dr Harpreet Sood for a conversation about why healthcare needs to move beyond firefighting disease and towards a more proactive, personalised approach. Together, they discuss the importance of hormones in long-term health, why so many women globally are still unable to access treatment and the need for better education for both doctors and patients. They also explore how empowering people with knowledge about sleep, nutrition, exercise and hormones can transform future health outcomes. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might find it helpful. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor Website 👉 https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/ Instagram 👉 / @drlouisenewsonpodcast LinkedIn 👉 / https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlouisenewson/…

Why are so many women denied testosterone? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by US menopause specialist Dr Susan Hardwick-Smith for a vital conversation about testosterone and why so many women are still being denied treatment that could transform their lives. Drawing on both personal and clinical experience, Louise and Susan discuss the widespread misunderstanding surrounding testosterone inwomen, why symptoms of hormone deficiency are so often dismissed as stress or depression and the importance of individualised care. They explore how hormones affect the brain, energy,motivation, cognition and long-term health, not just libido, and why current guidelines often fail to reflect what doctors see in real-life practice. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might find it helpful. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor Website 👉 https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/…

Ahead of the publication of her new book The Power ofHormones, Dr Louise Newson sits down with journalist and Balance editorial director Kat Keogh to explore the hidden history of hormones and why women’shealth has been misunderstood for decades. Together, they discuss the stories and research behind the book, from the origins of HRT and hormonal contraception to the wider impact hormones have on the brain, immune system and long-term health. Louise explains why so many women are still being dismissed, misdiagnosed or prescribed treatments that fail to address the root cause of their symptoms, and whyunderstanding hormones is essential for everyone, not just women going through menopause. The conversation (and the book) also explores medicalmisogyny, the influence of pharmaceutical marketing, the history of synthetic hormones and the urgent need for change in the way women’s health is understoodand treated. Interested in reading The Power of Hormones? You canpre-order here 👉 https://bio.to/ThePowerofHormones…

What if severe changes in your mental health were being driven by your hormones? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Isabella Sillar, an Australian doctor, who shares her powerful and deeply personal experience of living with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Despite being in medical training, Isabella struggled for years with severe symptoms including suicidal thoughts, repeated misdiagnoses and treatments that failed to address the underlying cause. They explore how hormonal fluctuations can influence mental health, why PMDD is so often misunderstood and the consequences of treating symptoms without considering hormones. Isabella also shares how finding the right treatment transformed her life, and how her experience has shaped the way she now supports her own patients. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might find it helpful. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉…

What if improving your health could start with what’s on your plate? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dave and Steve Flynn, also known as The Happy Pear, for a refreshing and practical conversation about food, lifestyle and long-term health. Together, they explore how modern diets have changed, why so many of us feel overwhelmed by nutrition advice and how simple, whole foods can have a powerful impact on everything from energy levels to inflammation and hormone balance They also discuss the importance of community, movement and connection, and why small, realistic changes can make a meaningful difference over time. This is an uplifting and accessible episode full of ideas to help you feel better, without overcomplicating things. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us, leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who might find it helpful. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor Website 👉…

Why are so many women still being told estrogen is dangerous? In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by oncologist and author of Estrogen Matters, Dr Avrum Bluming, to explore how fear around hormones took hold and why it persisted for so long. They also revisit the evidence behind the Women’s Health Initiative and discuss what it actually shows about risks and benefits. Together, they unpack the role of estrogen in the body and why having the right information is key to making informed choices about treatment. We hope you love the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us and leave a 5-star rating and share it with someone who needs to hear it. LET'S CONNECT Subscribe here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@menopause_doctor Website 👉 https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/ Instagram 👉 / @drlouisenewsonpodcast LinkedIn 👉 / https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlouisenewson/ TikTok 👉 / https://www.tiktok.com/@drlouisenewson Spotify 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/7dCctfyI9bODGDaFnjfKhg LEARN MORE…