The Dr Louise Newson Podcast11 Nov 2025

33 - Menopause and the making of Riot Women with Sally Wainwright

Content advisory: this episode contains themes of mental health and suicide

Many women experience menopause as more than hot flushes and periods stopping. It can also bring a deep sense of flatness, loss of joy, anxiety or even thoughts of hopelessness.

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson speaks with Sally Wainwright OBE, the multiple BAFTA-winning writer and director known for Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack and Last Tango in Halifax. Her new BBC drama Riot Women has already had amazing reviews. Louise was the Medical Consultant for Riot Women.

Sally discusses her personal experience of menopause, and how being prescribed hormones has transformed her wellbeing and how those truths shaped her latest BBC drama, Riot Women. She also talks openly about her mother, who had both osteoporosis and dementia.

Together, they explore the link between menopause and mental health, the cost of silence around hormonal symptoms and the power of honest storytelling to change how women think and talk about menopause, as well as how they access hormone treatments. .

Disclaimer: This podcast is not connected to the BBC.

In the UK, you can contact Samaritans 24/7 at 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. If you're outside the UK, please reach out to a local crisis support service or emergency medical help.

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LEARN MORE

Watch Sally’s latest BBC Drama, Riot Women 👉

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hd7x

Take my online education course, Hormones Unlocked 👉 https://www.learningwithexperts.com/products/hormones-unlocked-dr-louise-newson

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