Dr. Louise Newson

we're perimenopausal, or they're dropping very quickly just before periods, then you can easily join the dots and think, ah, that makes sense.

we're perimenopausal, or they're dropping very quickly just before periods, then you can easily join the dots and think, ah, that makes sense.

Well, mainly because I see so many people. I've got a huge amount of clinical experience and knowledge. And I've sort of dedicated my career really thinking about menopause. But it's extended more actually to thinking more about hormones. But I've got quite an unusual career in that a lot of menopause specialists are gynecologists.

Well, mainly because I see so many people. I've got a huge amount of clinical experience and knowledge. And I've sort of dedicated my career really thinking about menopause. But it's extended more actually to thinking more about hormones. But I've got quite an unusual career in that a lot of menopause specialists are gynecologists.

I have nothing against gynaecologists, but I'm not a gynaecologist. I'm a general physician, but I've also got a pathology degree as well. So I'm very interested in the study of disease. And if you know why the body works, it helps you understand what diseases occur and why they occur. So at a sort of cellular molecular level. And then I've done a lot of hospital medicine and lots of specialties.

I have nothing against gynaecologists, but I'm not a gynaecologist. I'm a general physician, but I've also got a pathology degree as well. So I'm very interested in the study of disease. And if you know why the body works, it helps you understand what diseases occur and why they occur. So at a sort of cellular molecular level. And then I've done a lot of hospital medicine and lots of specialties.

And then I was a GP for 25 years, but also a medical writer. So I've written a lot of evidence-based medicine. I've written four books on evidence-based medicine. So I'm quite geeky and scientific as well. But I'm also, well, I'd like to think a good doctor in that field. You know, my patients are central to everything that I do. Very different.

And then I was a GP for 25 years, but also a medical writer. So I've written a lot of evidence-based medicine. I've written four books on evidence-based medicine. So I'm quite geeky and scientific as well. But I'm also, well, I'd like to think a good doctor in that field. You know, my patients are central to everything that I do. Very different.

When I qualified in 94, it was very much you gave that green piece of paper, you know, the prescription that they used to give. You'd literally give it to a patient, ask no questions, off they go. They would take the medication or not, I suppose. But it was nothing in context of how does the patient feel? What are they experiencing? Why might they be feeling like this?

When I qualified in 94, it was very much you gave that green piece of paper, you know, the prescription that they used to give. You'd literally give it to a patient, ask no questions, off they go. They would take the medication or not, I suppose. But it was nothing in context of how does the patient feel? What are they experiencing? Why might they be feeling like this?

And so now it's so different, thankfully. So I'm very patient-centered in the way that I practice medicine, but with evidence-based as well.

And so now it's so different, thankfully. So I'm very patient-centered in the way that I practice medicine, but with evidence-based as well.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, hugely, actually. And it's interesting because if I'd had this conversation with you 10 years ago, I probably would have gone, oh, I don't know that it does have an effect. But it definitely does, thinking about how the hormones work. And when our hormones fluctuate or change, it affects so many cell processes.

Yeah, hugely, actually. And it's interesting because if I'd had this conversation with you 10 years ago, I probably would have gone, oh, I don't know that it does have an effect. But it definitely does, thinking about how the hormones work. And when our hormones fluctuate or change, it affects so many cell processes.

But when I see people in the clinic, they maybe have been diagnosed with ADHD or they think they've got ADHD. But often it's got a lot worse. And menopause, many people think it's just a few flushes and sweats, something that people just get through.

But when I see people in the clinic, they maybe have been diagnosed with ADHD or they think they've got ADHD. But often it's got a lot worse. And menopause, many people think it's just a few flushes and sweats, something that people just get through.

Whereas actually the main symptoms affecting people during menopause, but also perimenopause when levels are really fluctuating and changing, are symptoms affecting the brain. So a lot of people find they have brain fog, they have poor memory, reduced concentration, irritability, they might have poor sleep. They often have low mood, anxiety.

Whereas actually the main symptoms affecting people during menopause, but also perimenopause when levels are really fluctuating and changing, are symptoms affecting the brain. So a lot of people find they have brain fog, they have poor memory, reduced concentration, irritability, they might have poor sleep. They often have low mood, anxiety.