The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

• 15 - Championing hormones, healing and strength with Christine D’Ercole

  Content advisory: this episode includes themes of self-harmIn this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Christine D’Ercole, a master world champion track cyclist and Peloton instructor, who shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey. Together, they dive into crucial conversations about pelvic floor health, urinary incontinence and eating disorders, shining a light on topics often left in the shadows. Christine opens up about the impact of body image and societal judgment on women and reflects on her own struggles with an eating disorder, self-harm, and the lifelong challenge of overcoming ingrained beliefs about her body, and how these experiences intersect with hormonal changes throughout life. The conversation also tackles the complex role hormones, especially testosterone, play in women’s health and athletic performance. Together, they candidly explore the difficult decisions around testosterone and athletics, weighing thebenefits of improved quality of life and muscle strength against concerns about performance enhancement in sport. We hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests!  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.    LET'S CONNECT  Website: Dr Louise Newson  Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videosLinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube CONNECT WITH Christine D’Ercole  Website: Christine D'Ercole   Instagram: Christine D'Ercole LinkedIn: Christine D'Ercole  Wordshops: Upcoming Wordshops – IAMICANIWILLIDO.COMRelated resources: Click here to read more about Newson Research’s paper about testosterone and sport

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• 14 - Breasts, bodies, and belonging: a conversation with Jean Hannah Edelstein

  In this episode, Dr Louise Newson speaks with author Jean Hannah Edelstein about her deeply personal new book, Breasts: A Relatively Short Relationship, and the complex journey she’s had with her own body. Jean shares the experience of choosing to undergo a double mastectomy at 41, after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and highlights the emotional and practical importance of finding the right doctors and surgeons during such a life-altering process. Jean reflects on growing up in the hyper-sexualised 1990s, a world where pop stars like Britney Spears were both idolised and seen as cautionary tales, and Victoria’s Secret sold not just lingerie, but a narrow vision of womanhood, aimed at teenage girls. By her early twenties, Jean had size 30G/F breasts, which brought unwanted attention, but also moments of connection, especially with other women. Jean also talks candidly about choosing to have a mastectomy, then later, a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. She opens up about her diagnosis of Lynch syndrome, and about the frustrations of navigating a medical system that often withholds information, especially when it comes to HRT and cancer risk, leaving too many patients to advocate for themselves in the dark. We hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests!  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.    LET'S CONNECT  Website: Dr Louise Newson Instagram: The Dr LouiseNewson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos  LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn  YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube CONNECT WITH Jean Hannah Edelstein Website: Jean Hannah Edelstein Instagram: Jean Hannah Edelstein (jhedelstein) • Instagram photos and videos Book: Breasts: A Relatively Brief Relationship – the funny, moving and universally relatable new memoir LinkedIn: Jean Hannah Edelstein | LinkedIn  Related resources: Breast cancer treatment and HRT Dr Corinne Menn: I’m a doctor who’s had breast cancer: here’s what I want you to know 

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• 13 - HRT after 60: myths, facts and finding your own path with Ann Newson

  In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by her mother, Ann Newson, for a candid and deeply insightful conversation about HRT after 60, as requested by some ofour viewers.  Together, Dr Louise and Ann address the persistent fears around breast cancer and HRT, revisiting data from the controversial 2002 WHI study. They also explore the crucial differences between the older forms of synthetic HRT derived from pregnant horse’s urine and today’s body identical hormones, which have the same molecular structure as hormones produced by your body.Ann reflects on her own journey with menopause, shaped by a generation that ‘didn't talk about health issues... periods were “the curse” and menopause was just “the change”.’ She shares powerful memories of struggling through exhaustion and that at times, coping was simply putting ‘one foot in front of the other’. Together they explore why stopping HRT after the age of 60 should be an individualised choice. Ann also shares her own experiences, frustrations, and how hormones could have possibly impacted her relationship with her daughter, without even realising it. With warmth, humour, and wisdom, this episode champions the importance of informed choice, patient-centred care, and the right to feel well at any age. Read more about HRT in later life on Dr Louise’s website here, and an article on the difference between natural and synthetic hormones here.We hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! 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.   LET'S CONNECT  Website: Dr Louise Newson Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast(@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videosLinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube  Resources  https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/hrt-in-later-life-or-after-menopause 

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• 12 - HRT, misinformation and navigating the menopause media minefield with Kaye Adams

  'I'm a journalist, and I'm always trying to make sense of stories... that's just how my brain works. But I've never been able to make sense of this one... the whole HRT story, the information women are given, and the choices we make based on information we're not entirely sure about. I've always felt that was just unsatisfactory. So that overview from you, I have found really, really interesting’.In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by broadcaster and journalist Kaye Adams — a familiar face from ITV’s Loose Women and host of the How to Be 60 podcast — for a candid and deeply insightful conversation about navigating menopause in your sixties, the vital role of hormones, and the ongoing confusion around HRT (hormone replacement therapy).Drawing on her background in pathology and neurophysiology, Dr Louise unpacks decades of overlooked science showing how hormones like oestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone influence everything from brain function and inflammation to bone health and dementia risk. She explains how hormones deficiencies can create a perfect storm for disease, and why understanding their role at a cellular level is crucial for women’s long-term health.Together, Dr Louise and Kaye address the persistent fears around breast cancer and HRT, revisiting data from the controversial WHI study. Dr Louise explains how misinterpretation and media panic have caused widespread confusion and lasting harm to women’s health. Dr Louise also highlights the significant reductions in risks such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis that HRT can offer, questioning why compelling evidence is still often ignored by mainstream medicine.Kaye shares her personal reflections and doubts as a woman navigating healthcare in a landscape clouded by misinformation. Their discussion becomes a powerful call for clearer, evidence-based communication, encouraging women to feel empowered, not frightened, when considering treatment.Available to watch on YouTubeWe hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform.Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests!DisclaimerThe 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.  LET'S CONNECT Website: Dr Louise NewsonInstagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videosLinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedInYouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTubeCONNECT WITH KAYE ADAMS Podcast Website: How To Be 60 with Kaye AdamsInstagram: Kaye Adams (kayeadamsofficial) • Instagram photos and videosSpotify: How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams | Podcast on SpotifyYouTube: How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams - YouTube

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• 12 - HRT, misinformation and navigating the menopause media minefield with Kaye Adams

  ‘I'm a journalist, and I'm always trying to make sense of stories... that's just how my brain works. But I've never been able to make sense of this one... the whole HRT story, the information women are given, and the choices we make based on information we're not entirely sure about. I've always felt that was just unsatisfactory. So that overview from you, I have found really, really interesting’. In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by broadcaster and journalist Kaye Adams — a familiar face from ITV’s Loose Women and host of the How to Be 60 podcast — for a candid and deeply insightful conversation about navigating menopause in your sixties, the vital role of hormones, and the ongoing confusion around HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Drawing on her background in pathology and neurophysiology, Dr Louise unpacks decades of overlooked science showing how hormones like oestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone influence everything from brain function and inflammation to bone health and dementia risk. She explains how hormones deficiencies can create a perfect storm for disease, and why understanding their role at a cellular level is crucial for women’s long-term health. Together, Dr Louise and Kaye address the persistent fears around breast cancer and HRT, revisiting data from the controversial WHI study. Dr Louise explains how misinterpretation and media panic have caused widespread confusion and lasting harm to women’s health. Dr Louise also highlights the significant reductions in risks such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis that HRT can offer, questioning why compelling evidence is still often ignored by mainstream medicine. Kaye shares her personal reflections and doubts as a woman navigating healthcare in a landscape clouded by misinformation. Their discussion becomes a powerful call for clearer, evidence-based communication, encouraging women to feel empowered, not frightened, when considering treatment. Available to watch on YouTube We hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! 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.    LET'S CONNECT Website: Dr Louise Newson Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube   CONNECT WITH KAYE ADAMS Podcast Website: How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams Instagram: Kaye Adams (kayeadamsofficial) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify: How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams | Podcast on Spotify   YouTube: How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams - Youtube

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