The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
Dr Louise Newson, an award-winning physician and women's hormone specialist, hosts this weekly podcast exploring perimenopause, menopause, and lifelong hormone health. Each episode delves into the latest research, treatments, and hot topics, providing evidence-based information to empower women. Joined by experts and special guests, Louise answers burning questions and discusses how hormones impact every aspect of life. She is the creator of the free balance app, a Sunday Times bestselling author, and founder of the Newson Health clinic.
Episodes
112 – Primodos: the harmful hormone pill prescribed to millions of pregnant women
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 Scherin
111 – Can hormones help postpartum psychosis?
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
110 – Can't tolerate progesterone? It may be progestogens
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 typ
109 - Can you take HRT with endometriosis?
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
108 – Why is there so much confusion about HRT education for clinicians?
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
107 – Menopause, testosterone & rowing the Atlantic at 50
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 Wor
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
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 th
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
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. Th
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
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 'lutealug
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 s
99 – Gut health, hormones & food noise with Dominique Ludwig
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
98 – Why the type of hormone matters for health and fitness - Davey Maher
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 infl
97 – PMDD, ADHD & autism: addiction as a coping mechanism
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
96 – How India is waking up to hormone health Sanjith Shetty
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
95 – Rosie Moss: is it grief or hormones?
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
94 – Fixing doctors' fear of hormone treatments including testosterone
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 l
93 – PMDD misdiagnosed for 10 Years: Anna's story
Content advisory: This episode contains themes of mental health and suicideAnna, 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 s
92 – Hormones, mood and mental health myths Dr Sue Varma
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 psychia
91 – Demi Brown: Endometriosis, fibroids & hormones
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,
90 – Hair loss, hormones and menopause: what’s really causing it? Archana Rao
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
89 – The six lifestyle changes that support your hormones and health
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 gro
88 – Endometriosis, surgical menopause and getting the right hormone treatments
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 wan
87 – When motherhood changes your brain: the missing role of hormones Laura Guckian
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 psychia
86 - How hormone treatments, including testosterone, reduce future diseases
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
85 – Why being healthy feels so hard, and how to change it
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 t
84 – Why so many women stop feeling like themselves Elinor Wilde
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-ove
83 – Why are women still leaving work because of their hormones?
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, Loui
82 – The hidden link between epilepsy and hormones
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
81 – The hormone confusion that’s affecting millions of women
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 differ
80 – What if we’ve misunderstood hormones all along?
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,
79 – ”I knew it wasn’t depression”: Jenny’s PMDD story
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 (PM
78 – Primodos: The forgotten synthetic hormone scandal
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 ProfessorNei
77 – Hormones after cancer: why women deserve a choice
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
76 – Why migraine is so much more than a headache with Dr Eli Sader
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 pa
75 – Can technology help us live healthier for longer?
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 artificia
74 – The case for hormones: choice, health and longevity
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
73 – Hormone treatments after 70: why you don’t need to stop
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 f
72 – ADHD in women: the hidden role of hormones
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 str
71 – What’s your skin telling you about your hormones?
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 horm
70 – How perimenopause can really impact you and your partner
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
69 - How hormone treatments can prevent disease
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 glob
68 – Testosterone: Why is it so hard to access?
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
67 – The Power of Hormones
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 t
66 – PMDD and mental health: what’s really going on?
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, repeate
65 – The truth about food and health with The Happy Pear
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
64 – Estrogen: separating fear from fact
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 t
63 – Hormones, disability and the battle to be taken seriously : Laura Dallison
What happens when you know something isn’t right, but no one will listen?In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Laura Dallison, who shares her experience of navigating hormonal changes while living with a physicaldisability. After a spinal cord injury, Laura began experiencing symptoms including brain fog, insomnia and recurrent infections, but was repeatedly dismissed and told she was too
62 – How hormones change your brain - Dr Jay Jagannathan
What if the symptoms women are told are down to stress or hectic lifestyles are actually coming from hormone changes in the brain?In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by board certified neurosurgeon, Dr Jay Jagannathan, for a fascinating and eye-opening conversation about the role hormones play in brain health.They explore what’s really happening during times of hormonal change such as peri
61 – Living with untreated urinary symptoms
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Penny Pijnenburg for a powerful conversation about genitourinary syndrome , a condition that affects most women but is still rarely talked about.Penny shares her experience of living with severe symptoms for more than 14 years before realising they were linked to perimenopause, and the frustration of not being offered the right treatment.Together, the
60 – Liz Earle on how to age well
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Liz Earle for a refreshing and empowering conversation about ageing, and why the way we think about it needs to change.Drawing on the science behind her new book How to Age, Liz explains how factors like hormones, inflammation, circadian rhythm and even light exposure influence how we feel as we get older. She shares simple, accessible ways to support
59 - Can you start HRT after 60? What the evidence shows
So many women are denied hormone replacement because they are told they are “too old”. In this special solo episode, Dr Louise Newson explains why this is wrong. She covers what happens when hormone levels stay low as women age and why this long-term deficiency affects everything from cardiovascular health to bone strength and cognitive function. She clarifies why the WHI study created so much con
58 – ADHD and the gap in hormone care for women
What happens when a woman is finally diagnosed with ADHD, only to be blindsided by perimenopause making everything harder?In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Sarah-Jane Ayers for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about ADHD, perimenopause and the devastating impact hormonal changes can have on mental health.Sarah-Jane shares her experience of feeling dismissed, desperate and u
57 – Bleeding on HRT: what’s normal and what’s not
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by consultant gynaecologist Mr Osama Naji for a reassuring and practical conversation about one of the most common concerns women have when starting HRT, bleeding. Together, they explain why bleeding can happen, when it is a normal response to changing hormones and when it may need further investigation. They also discuss the common causes of unscheduled
56 – Why confusion around contraception and hormones is failing women
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by US-based OB-GYN Dr Jordan Emont to explore why so many women are still being denied hormones, despite clear evidence of their benefits.They discuss the ongoing fear and misinformation surrounding body identical hormones, the confusion with synthetic hormones used in contraception and why this is leaving many women unsupported.Louise and Jordan also hi
55 – HRT, breast cancer and the real risks of not taking hormones
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by physician and author Dr Jeffrey Dach, who is the founder and Medical Director of the TrueMedMD Clinic in Florida and author of numerous books including Bioidentical Hormones 101.Together, Louise and Jeffrey challenge some of the biggest myths surrounding hormone treatments, including the long-standing fear around breast cancer and the lasting damage c
54 - Menopause at 10 years old
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by therapist SaraWitter who shares her deeply personal and shocking experience of being menopausal as a child. Sara describes how she lost most of her ovarian function at just 10 years old following surgery for large dermoid cysts, and the long-lasting impact this had on her physical and mental health. Despite years of symptoms including extreme fatigue,
53 – Rosie Viva on bipolar disorder, hormones and mental health
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by model and author Rosie Viva, who speaks openly about her experience of living with bipolar disorder, something she also explores in her book, Completely Normal and Totally Fine.Rosie shares her journey to diagnosis in her early twenties, the challenges of being misunderstood, and the reality of finding the right treatment. Together, Louise and Rosie d
When hormones are missed in mental health
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by mental health nurses Jayne and Diane to discuss the often overlooked role of hormones in women’s mental health.Drawing on their experience working in mental health services, they share how hormonal changes are rarely considered when women present with symptoms such as anxiety, depression or mood changes. As a result, many women are given psychiatric d
52 – Why psychiatrists must start thinking about hormones
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by consultant psychiatrist Dr Gareth Jarvis to explore the important, and often overlooked, connection between hormones and mental health. Louise and Gareth discuss how hormonal changes can often contribute to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and severe mental illnesses. They also explore why psychiatrists are rarely trained to consider hormones a
51 – A man’s guide to menopause
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by journalist and author Joe Warner to discuss his new book exploring menopause from a partner’s perspective. It’s called “Burning Up, Frozen Out: What Every Man Needs to Know About the Menopause (But No One Told You)”Louise and Joe explore how hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can often affect mood, cognition, sexual function and emoti
50 - Testosterone and breaking the stigma
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by urologist, educator and hormone health advocate Dr Kelly Casperson to challenge some of the most persistent myths surrounding testosterone and women’s health. Drawing on both clinical experience and scientific evidence, they explore why testosterone is not just a “male hormone”, but an important hormone for women too, influencing brain health, energy,
49 – Endometriosis, dismissal and the fight to be heard
In this episode for Endometriosis Awareness Month, Dr Louise Newson is joined by author and women’s health advocate Evelyn Scott to share her personal experience of living with endometriosis, a condition affecting one in ten women that remains widely misunderstood, under-recognised and frequently dismissed. Together, Louise and Evelyn explore why endometriosis is not simply a gynaecological condit
48 – Why heart disease in women is still being missed
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Jayne Morgan, a cardiologist and leading advocate for improving recognition of cardiovascular disease in women. Despite being the number one cause of death globally, heart disease in women remains underdiagnosed, misunderstood and frequently misattributed to anxiety or stress.Together, they explore how differences in symptoms between men and women
47 - Rethinking mental health and antidepressant prescribing
Content advisory: this episode contains themes of metal health and suicidalityIn this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr MarkHorowitz, who is a psychiatrist, researcher and world-leading expert in psychiatric medication withdrawal and deprescribing. Mark is also the lead author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines and co-founder of Outro Health, the only virtual clinic in the United Sta
46 - Why understanding your hormones changes everything
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Professor Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist, Adjunct Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin and author of It’s Probably Your Hormones. Together, they explore why hormones are far more than just “reproductive messengers”, and how they influence almost every system in the body, including the brain, immune system, metabolism, bones and cardiov
45 - Inflammation, hormones and the hidden cause of chronic disease
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Professor Robert Lufkin, physician, medical school professor and author, to explore how inflammation and metabolic dysfunction lie at the heart of many of today’s chronic diseases.They discuss why conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and mental illness are often treated as separate problems, when in reality they share the same
44 - Testosterone and why the UK is falling behind
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by urologist and sexual medicine specialist Prof Mohit Khera to talk about testosterone in women and why it remains one of the most misunderstood and underused hormones in medicine.They explore how sexual dysfunction is rarely an individual problem, why treating only one partner can create new difficulties, and why testosterone should be seen as part of
43 - Kate Muir on the power and pushback in menopause care
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined once again by journalist, author and friend Kate Muir to reflect on where the menopause conversation really stands. From the science behind body-identical hormones to the deep frustrations of outdated medical thinking, this is a wide-ranging conversation about what women are still being denied, why fear continues to shape healthcare and what happens when
42 - Exposing the failures faced by perimenopausal women
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Jain monks and filmmakers Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti to discuss their new docuseries, Balance, which follows their personal experiences of perimenopause and exposes how women’s hormonal health has been overlooked for generations.As the only UK doctor featured in the series, Louise reflects on why these stories matter, the injustices wom
41 - How small lifestyle changes can transform your health
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson sits down with GP and lifestyle medicine lead Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi to talk about the everyday habits that shape long-term health. Hussain shares his own story of being diagnosed with fatty liver disease and high blood pressure in his twenties, and how facing that reality pushed him to rethink movement, food, relationships and even how he coped with stress.Togethe
40 - How hormones reduce inflammation and keep you healthier for longer
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson speaks with longevity expert and patient advocate Leslie Kenny about health span, inflammation and why prevention matters more than ever.Leslie shares her experience of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus in her late thirties and being told there was nothing she could do. Rather than accepting this, she explored lifestyle, immune health and inflamm
39 - Looking back at 2025: progress, pushback and what still needs to change
As 2025 comes to a close, Dr Louise Newson reflects on the progress that’s been made this year, as well as the ongoing frustration of knowing too many women are still not being listened to or supported. Drawing on what she sees in her clinic, through research and in conversations with women and clinicians around the world, she asks whether things are truly progressing or whether we’re going back i
38 - Why hormone education matters for every clinician
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson and Dr Rebecca Lewis discuss the role of hormone education in modern clinical practice and why so many women are still affected by gaps in training. Drawing on their years of running a large menopause clinic and developing educational resources for healthcare professionals, they reflect on what clinicians are taught, what’s missing and how that affects diagnosis,
37 - Chronic migraine and PMDD: Jessica’s story
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by her daughter Jessica for a very personal conversation about living with chronic migraine, PMDD and the long journey toward feeling well again. Jessica talks openly about the years of debilitating symptoms, the medications that helped (and those that didn’t), the impact on her studies and music, and the frustration of not being fully heard in medical c
36 - How Balance app is reshaping women’s hormonal health
In this conversation, Dr Louise Newson sits down with Matt Jones, Managing Director of Balance app, for an honest look at how a simple idea grew into a global tool supporting over a million women. They talk about the real stories behind the app, the messages from women who feel unheard, the gaps in medical care regarding hormones and why accessible, trustworthy information can make such a differen
35 - How vaginal hormones can transform the health of women
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by urologist and sexual medicine specialist Dr Rachel Rubin for a clear look at how hormonal changes can often worsen both urinary and vaginal health. The conversation examines why recurrent urinary tract infections are so common in women, how prevention with vaginal hormones is often overlooked and what current evidence shows about the safety and effect
34 - Penny Lancaster: The truth about menopause care
Every day we hear from women whose symptoms are being misdiagnosed, which makes Penny Lancaster’s story hit close to home. She talks with Dr Louise Newson about the months she spent thinking she was depressed, the antidepressants she was offered in lockdown and the moment she realised her symptoms were linked to menopause.They touch on a bigger cultural shift too. Menopause is being mentioned more
