108 - Functional Imagery Training with Helen Pearce

Newson Health celebrates its 100th podcast episode with the Clinical Director of Newson Health, Dr Rebecca Lewis. When Dr Louise Newson began these podcasts with the aim of reaching more women, she didn’t envisage doing more than 10 episodes, let alone 100!    In this emotional episode, Dr Lewis and Dr Newson reflect on their joint menopause mission to help women globally with the perimenopause and menopause, as they talk about how their worlds have dramatically changed from being GPs within the NHS, to owning and running the largest menopause clinic in the world.    Their joint aims for the next decade:   1. See more women getting the right treatment for their menopause. Currently, only 14% of women in the UK take HRT despite it holding benefits for many more women. The Newson Health doctors would like to see 60 - 70% of women receive this safe and effective treatment.   2. Continue to raise the profile of perimenopause and menopause, not only medically but in society - especially in the workplace.   3. Raise the profile of menopause globally; many countries don't have a word for it let alone access to treatment.

25 Maj 202135min

Journalist and menopause activist, Kate Muir joins Dr Louise Newson in this podcast episode to discuss Kate's experience of her own menopause journey and what propelled her to make the Channel 4 documentary, Sex, Myths and Menopause.   Kate shares how she struggled to find the right information about her symptoms and HRT, and after an unsuccessful spell taking compounded bioidentical hormones, she was shocked to realise how little advice was out there and how limited healthcare professionals' knowledge is of up-to-date treatments. Kate thought if she, as an educated woman with an enquiring mind was fumbling in the dark, how much harder is it for other women from all walks of life to get the right menopause care and treatment?   Kate's 3 messages for listeners: Body identical HRT saves your life, it saves your work, it saves your relationships, it makes your body work. It's fantastic. The research on the long-term benefits of HRT is fascinating. If you're in a family with a history of osteoporosis, heart disease, or dementia, I would be paying very close attention to the evidence on the benefits of taking body identical HRT for your future health. Tell your story. Every woman has a unique story to tell of their perimenopause or menopause. We need to talk about it more and more.

18 Maj 202133min

Davina McCall makes a welcomed return appearance to the Newson Health podcast to discuss what she has learnt from making Channel 4's taboo-smashing documentary, 'Sex, Myths and Menopause'. Dr Newson and Davina discuss a broad range of topics such as the role of estrogen in our bodies, types of HRT, the huge need for more research, and the gaps in menopause care across the country.  If you listen to this episode when first released, please note Davina's documentary airs on Channel 4 on Wednesday 12th May at 9pm.    Davina's 3 reasons to watch her documentary:  Someone you love, someone you know, or someone you work with will be going through what this programme is about. You may end up with a much greater understanding of that person  If you're pro-women, in any way, there are ways you can get out there and make a noise for positive change.  You will be informed about something that half the nation will go through. Everybody should know about it

11 Maj 202141min

Dr Newson speaks with Professor Robert Langer in this episode. Robert Langer is Professor Emeritus in Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California in San Diego. He was also an investigator of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study. Together, they discuss how the WHI Study from 2002 turned the world upside down for women and how they have both been trying to right it ever since.   Professor Langer describes in detail what was understood about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy before the WHI study, how the notorious study came about and why it was finished prematurely and so badly misreported in the media. His unique account of how the events unfolded helps listeners to understand the bigger picture of why healthcare professionals and women remain unaware of the benefits of HRT and are often overly cautious of the perceived risks to this day.   Professor Langer's 3 top tips are: 1. All of the evidence shows that for women who are within 10 years of their menopause, or under the age of 60, if she has reason to take HRT, there is absolutely no need to be concerned about HRT. For these women the benefits strongly outweigh the risks. 2. There's no reason to stop taking HRT at any age, if you've been taking it from the time of your perimenopause or within 10 years of your menopause. 3. With a knowledgeable practitioner, there's no reason that a woman who is past her menopause or over 60, can't start taking HRT, as long as the clinician is aware of how to start slowly and get hormone levels to the right point.

4 Maj 202147min

Dr Newson has a fascinating conversation with Kay Anderson, a woman in her 80s who began taking HRT after a hysterectomy in 1972, when she was only 36. Kay remembers the frightening and devastating depression that suddenly engulfed her, as a mum with 3 young children, and how her gynaecologist agreed to use her as a 'guinea pig' and let her have some HRT.   They discuss the different types of HRT that Kay has taken and prescribing trends over the last 50 years, and Dr Newson explains how safe modern types of estrogen is through the skin, and how it can protect the health of your heart, bones and mind as you age. Kay has been the only one of her friends to take HRT and is also the only one who doesn't have to take any other medications!   Kay's top 3 tips: See another doctor if they won't give you HRT or try and make you stop taking it. Don't feel pressured to stop taking it, because if you do you will probably be right back where you started. Tell your friends and family what you want, so they can support you to get the right help for you.

27 Apr 202127min

Lorraine Kelly joins Dr Louise Newson in this podcast episode and they discuss their shared experience of talking about the menopause on that infamous couch!   Lorraine talks openly about her own menopause and how treatment radically changed her work life, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Every time menopause is discussed on Lorraine's show, they have an overwhelming response from women who are struggling with their symptoms and can't get the help they need.   Dr Newson outlines some of the ways she is trying to counteract the misinformation around HRT and general lack of awareness from the public and healthcare professionals. They discuss how attitudes are slowly changing around menopause and share their frustrations at the uphill battle they face in trying to get more help for more women.   Lorraine's top 3 tips for women who are thinking about getting help: Get all the information you can and read up on everything you might need to know. Don't be fobbed off when you go and try and get help. Remember you're doing it for you, to feel better, but you're also doing it for everyone that loves you. If you're given HRT and you don't think it's working , don't give up, keep trying with it, or discuss changing the dose or type, it might take a while to find what suits you. Just go for it and be empowered. Follow Lorraine on Instagram - @Lorrainekellysmith

20 Apr 202131min

Just before her 40th birthday, Caroline was given the unexpected diagnosis of breast cancer. The grueling treatments brought on the menopause and she endured a miserable seven years as a 'functional wreck'. Nine years on, Caroline reflects on this experience. She describes her search for help for the awful menopausal symptoms that were making her feel so unlike her usual, outgoing self and shares how she came to the decision to take HRT, despite being surrounded by advice to the contrary. Dr Newson outlines the complex and little understood relationship between breast cancer and estrogen, and reminds listeners that once accurate information is shared, the choice about menopause treatments after breast cancer ultimately belongs to the individual.   Caroline's three tips:   Keep an honest record of how you are really feeling and look back on it. If you notice menopausal symptoms and you're just getting through the day, see your doctor. If they suggest antidepressants, don't agree straight away, find out more about how effective they are for menopausal women. Talk to someone who specialises in the menopause, even better, someone who treats menopausal women who've had breast cancer. Then you know you're getting gold standard information. Don't beat yourself up if all you're worried about is the cancer coming back. It's normal to feel like that. But also allow yourself the possibility of a better, brighter future. You need to know there is hope and help out there - you deserve it.

12 Apr 202133min

Food and health writer, Sam Rice joins Dr Louise Newson in this episode to discuss eating well in midlife. Sam tells of her unconventional route into nutrition and wellness, and how living in Bali inspired her to write the Midlife Kitchen with her good friend and best-selling author Mimi Spencer.   After the success of the Midlife Kitchen, Sam has recently published her follow up book, The Midlife Method, which supports women who have made the transition to healthier eating but struggle to shift the weight they would like to lose. She urges us to turn away from toxic diet cultures and worrying about our dress size, and focus more on our microbiomes, and having a healthy, happy gut.   Sam’s three top tips are: Think about the balance of food you’re eating, you don’t need to cut out whole groups of food, just focus on your complex carbs, lean proteins and healthy fats. In your regular exercise routines, don’t forget to include strength training with weights and resistance, as well as your cardio activities like walking or Zumba. Embrace eating with awareness. Give yourself permission to eat well and allow yourself to enjoy food. The Midlife Kitchen: Health Boosting Recipes for Midlife & Beyond http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midlife-Kitchen-health-boosting-recipes-midlife/dp/1784723185 The Midlife Method: How to Lose Weight & Look Great After 40 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midlife-Method-weight-great-after/dp/147227893 Instagram: @midlifekitchen Blog: http://www.midlifemethod.co.uk

6 Apr 202133min