18 - Hayley and Jay: a 30-year battle for the right diagnosis

In this week's podcast, Dr Newson is speaking with consultant dermatologist, Dr Sajjad Rajpar all about hair. Hair changes can be very common during the perimenopause and menopause. Dr Rajpar eloquently explains how our hormones are important with respect to hair growth and also hair texture. They discuss in detail reasons why women experience hair loss and the importance of having a holistic consultation to explore reasons why hair changes. Dr Rajpar talks about the different treatment options and provides some simple advice which will help us all regarding our hair. Find out more about Dr Sajjad Rajpar here: https://belgraviadermatology.co.uk/ Dr Rajpar's Three Take Home Tips to help reduce hair loss: Avoid any tight hairstyles. If you can leave your hair down, it will help. Think about the health of your scalp too, it may be drier due to low oestrogen levels during the perimenopause and menopause. If you are suffering with brittle hair then by sensible with heat and styling tools.

18 Feb 202025min

Dr Nighat Arif is a GP with a specialist interest in women’s health, based in Buckinghamshire. In this week's podcast, Dr Nighat Arif talks openly with Dr Newson about her work educating and empowering women from different ethnic groups about the menopause. Many women from ethnic minorities think the menopause is a condition that only affects Caucasian women or it is a western phenomenon. However, it is well known that many women are experiencing symptoms such as pains in their bodies, “head to toe pain”, low mood and anxiety which are being misdiagnosed and inappropriately managed as these symptoms are not being linked to the menopause. Although language is often a barrier to consultations with a healthcare professional, there are also many cultural differences that need to be explored. Many women’s health issues, including the menopause, are kept “under the veil” and not spoken about. In this episode, Dr Newson and Dr Arif also talk about other taboo subjects such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and how that affects marital relationships in a conservative community.  Dr Nighat Arif offers three take home tips in Punjabi to help break down barriers and empower women from South Asian Communities to not accept their menopausal symptoms and suffer in silence.   Dr Nighat Arif's Three Top Tips: For all women, please keep a symptom diary. No symptom is silly and this is useful to your doctor during the 10-minute consultation. Never deny yourself treatment, there are always risks and benefits to every treatment and only your health and wellbeing will suffer if you don't seek help. Don't suffer in silence!

11 Feb 202031min

In this week's podcast, Dr Newson is joined by Professor David Reid, Consultant Rheumatologist and Osteoporosis Specialist at the University of Aberdeen. Professor Reid is also the Senior Medical Adviser and Fundraising Ambassador for the Royal Osteoporosis Bone Research Academy. Bone density reduces as our hormone levels lower, as a result of the perimenopause and menopause. Around one in three menopausal women will have a osteoporotic hip fracture so it is essential we are all thinking about ways of improving bone density and reducing future risk of developing osteoporosis. In this episode, Dr Newson and Professor Reid talk about what osteoporosis is, how to diagnose it and also ways of increasing our bone density.  Professor David Reid's Three Top Tips for Bone Health: For people in their 20s and 30s, don't worry too much about your bone health - take plenty of exercise and eat well, this is the best way to prevent any future problems. For women going through the menopause, now is the time to start thinking about your bones. Take preventative measures such as reducing your alcohol intake and stop smoking. Consider a DEXA scan to measure your bone density. For elderly people, try regular weight bearing exercise and get the required amount of Vitamin D and Calcium, be careful to ensure your home is safe from trip hazards that can result in fractures.

4 Feb 202031min

In this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson has an open discussion with her mother, Ann Newson, about her personal views regarding taking HRT. Over 30 years ago, Ann was experiencing symptoms of severe fatigue which were negatively affecting her ability at work, prompting her GP to give her a prescription for HRT. Ann was then told that she was going through “The Change” but had no idea what that meant! The menopause was never spoken about at that time and she was given no information about it. However, taking HRT gave Ann her life back and her energy levels vastly improved. Fast forward to today and Ann is delighted to have learnt so much about the menopause from her daughter, Louise. In this episode, Ann also explains how many of her friends have developed breast cancer over the years despite none of them taking HRT. She strongly feels that women should be given a choice regarding hormone therapy and how she plans to stay on her HRT forever!  Ann Newson's Three Take Home Tips: Carry on! If you're happy with your HRT then you don't have to stop taking it If you are feeling low, don't think that you're not menopausal just because you aren't experiencing hot flushes and night sweats. Don't be frightened of HRT, it can be life-changing!

28 Jan 202032min

This week, Dr Newson is joined by Jane Simpson, a continence nurse specialist who works from The London Clinic in Harley Street.  In this episode, Jane and Dr Newson discuss all aspects of pelvic floor health relating to the menopause, including stress incontinence, an overactive bladder (key in the door syndrome!), vaginal dryness/atrophy, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation and the bowels and last but not least the pelvic floor and how menopause can affect our sex lives.  You can find Jane at www.thepelvicfloorbible.com and on Instagram @jane_thepelvicfloorbible. Jane's Three Take Home Tips for pelvic Floor Health: Make sure you are exercising the correct muscles Once you're sure that you are, make sure you do it regularly If you are unsure or think there could be a problem, then please seek help!

21 Jan 202027min

In this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Sarah Ball, a GP with a special interest in the menopause. Together, they talk all about early menopause and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) which affects women under 45 years. In the UK, around one in 100 women under 40 experience an early menopause yet many of these women are not diagnosed nor do they receive evidence-based advice and treatment. It is essential that these women receive replacement hormones at least until the age of 51 (the average age of the menopause) unless there are medical contra-indications to taking hormones. Dr Newson and Dr Ball discuss the health risks of untreated early menopause and POI and also the different ways in which women can receive individualised help and treatment.  Dr Sarah Ball's Three Take Home Tips: Early menopause is a different experience - it is essential to replace your hormones Your fertility still does need to be considered Don't feel isolated! Find some support, there are others out there experiencing the same thing. Click here to watch Dr Louise Newson discuss early menopause and POI.

14 Jan 202034min

In this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson is speaking to journalist Kirsty Lang about her experience with Breast Cancer and how life has been since her recovery. Together, they discuss the treatment that Kirsty received and the side-effects that she experienced from some of the medication, particularly those that blocked the effects of estrogen in her body. Kirsty talks openly about her menopausal symptoms relating to vaginal dryness and reduced libido and Dr Newson explains the effective treatment options available for these symptoms. They also talk about the differences between information given to men who have prostate cancer and women who have breast cancer. Men are usually given far more information than women, especially regarding the sexual problems that can arise during cancer treatment, and clearly this needs to change.  Click here to listen to Kirsty Lang talk about breast cancer in Liz Earle's weekly podcast. Kirsty's Three Take Home Tips for dealing with menopause after cancer: Try local vaginal oestrogen for vaginal dryness If you are struggling massively, go to your GP/surgeon/oncologist and don't be afraid to ask for help Don't feel like you have to struggle just because you've survived breast cancer. It's not true, there is help out there for you!

7 Jan 202032min

In this week's podcast, Dr Louise Newson is talking with one of her closest friends, Kate Parr, about her reasons for setting up Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. Kate encouraged Dr Newson to start educating women about the perimenopause and menopause by hosting a lunch in her house a few years ago, to which many of their friends were invited. Both ladies were really surprised with how eager women were to learn about menopause and how little they knew about something that they will all experience. This inspired Louise to continue to educate and empower women with the right knowledge, so that they can make evidence-based decisions regarding their future health during their menopause. In this episode, Louise and Kate also discuss why talking about menopause to our friends and families is so important.  Kate Parr's Three Take Home Tips: Be informed! Find out everything you can about the menopause, from reliable sources. Talk to your girlfriends and support each other. Mothers - talk to your sons and daughters about how you are feeling. Educate them so that, in the future, they know what to expect and know that it's okay to talk about it.

17 Dec 201929min