The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Dr Louise Newson
  • 4.9 (135)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    107 – Menopause, testosterone & rowing the Atlantic at 50 with Gail Wolstenholme and Nicola Matthews

    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 staying physically and mentally active to building confidence and widening your social circle, with four take-home tips. Sponsor the crew: www.oldenoughtorowbetter.co.uk Follow: @old_enough_to_row_better LET'S CONNECT 👉Been dismissed or offered antidepressants instead of hormones? Book with Newson Clinic: https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/ 👉 More from Dr Louise Newson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

    107 – Menopause, testosterone & rowing the Atlantic at 50 with Gail Wolstenholme and Nicola Matthews

  2. 6d ago

    106 – Hormonal acne, hair loss & ageing skin with Dr Saj Rajpar

    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, download the Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A 👉 More from Dr LouiseNewson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson 👉 Follow Saj:@dr.rajpar_dermatologist

    106 – Hormonal acne, hair loss & ageing skin with Dr Saj Rajpar

  3. Sep 29

    105 – Mathilde Barker: endometriosis at 19, menopause at 23

    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 symptoms and understand hormones, download the Balance app: ⁠https://bit.ly/4yZty5A⁠👉 More from Dr Louise Newson: ⁠https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson⁠👉 Follow Mathilde: @mathildebarker

    105 – Mathilde Barker: endometriosis at 19, menopause at 23

  4. Sep 24

    104 – What the research shows about menopause and suicide risk

    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

    104 – What the research shows about menopause and suicide risk

  5. Sep 22

    103 – A fighter pilot's menopause: HRT, testosterone & guilt with Jo Salter

    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 👉 More from Dr Louise Newson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson 👉Follow Jo: @josaltermbe

    103 – A fighter pilot's menopause: HRT, testosterone & guilt with Jo Salter

  6. Sep 17

    102 – GLP-1s, hormones & the truth about weight gain with Rose Stokes

    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: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson 👉 Follow Rose: Insta: @rosestokeshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-matter-of-fat/id6805913565 https://open.spotify.com/show/469s4SFr3DNivfx1dQVyXR?si=9065a05ed85b4723

    102 – GLP-1s, hormones & the truth about weight gain with Rose Stokes

  7. Sep 15

    101 – Luteal Uglies - what does this mean?

    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 hormones, download the Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A 👉 More from Dr LouiseNewson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

    101 – Luteal Uglies - what does this mean?

  8. Sep 10

    100 – Sepsis, UTIs & quadruple amputation: Kim’s story

    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 Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A 👉 More from Dr LouiseNewson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson

    100 – Sepsis, UTIs & quadruple amputation: Kim’s story
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4.9
out of 5
135 Ratings

About

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.

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