MNHQ here: AMA with hormone specialist and leading voice in transforming hormone healthcare worldwide Dr Louise Newson

[RhiannonEMumsnet]

Hi there,

We’re delighted to announce an AMA with GP, hormone specialist and leading voice in transforming hormone healthcare worldwide Dr Louise Newson on Wednesday 3rd June, 7-9pm.

Dr Louise is an award-winning physician, educator, podcaster and author, committed to increasing awareness of hormone health including perimenopause and menopause, PMS and PMDD. She is also founder of the free Balance hormones and menopause app.

Dr Louise is currently in the midst of a nationwide live tour Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Hormones, where she unpacks the history of hormones and reveals how decades of misinformation and medical misogyny have harmed the health of women – a topic also covered in her new Sunday Times Bestselling book, The Power of Hormones.

Please post your questions for Dr Louise below and join her on the thread on Wednesday evening to hear the answers.

As always, please remember our guidelines - one question per user, follow-ups only if there’s time and most questions have been answered, and please keep it civil.

Thanks,
MNHQ

Many thanks for your reply Louise, I really appreciate it. So much of the advice given by gynaecologists seems to be outdated.
My original prescription for the Lenzetto spray and Utrogestan was tailored to allowing for a bleed. If I continue to have no bleeding (I now believe it was related to the fibroid and not a period), do I take the progesterone continuously now with the break ?

@GladJadeHam glad you had a great experience at our Newson Clinic. You can take Utrogestan at any time of the day. Magnesium can also help with sleep too

@DramaQueen1970 yes that is usually what is recommended. Many doctors seem to be giving outdated and inaccurate advice to women which is so sad

@Ritaskitchen actually often GPs have far better knowledge and experience about women's hormones than gynaecologists - after all, our hormones are made by our brains as well as by our ovaries so it makes little sense that gynaecologists are often controlling women's hormones!

Thank you, much appreciated.

@MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset I am sorry to read this. Has anyone tried progesterone (Cylogest) with you? Natural, body identical hormones can be really beneficial for women with PMDD and many women who struggle have low progesterone. This article may help you - PMS and PMDD: get treatment that’s right for you: https://link.balance-app.com/content/MxUesBzbibSnsgyiwjPIa6

You can take Utrogestan when you have eaten - it just means that more progesterone is absorbed into the body which actually may help you to sleep better. Some women take 2 progesterone capsules at night which can improve their sleep more - it would be worth you talking to your doctor about this.

@Sesame2011 I am sorry to read this - it is likely that your hormone levels are low on these days. Many women find that taking natural, body identical oestradiol and sometimes progesterone really improves symptoms and may only be needed on the days you have symptoms. It is safe to breqastfeed with these hormones as they are just natural hormones - so the same structure as the hormones you are already producing. Very different to synthetic "hormones" in contraceptives.

@JacCritter sorry to read this. Just because fezolinetant is approved by NICE it does not mean it is safe - there are some concerns about this drug and it may increase incidence of cancer in some women. Some women do take hormones after breast cancer - we have published data on women who have had breast cancer taking testosterone after breast cancer and many of their symptoms have really improved. These are articles I have written about fezolinetant - New fezolinetant paper raises key questions: https://link.balance-app.com/content/nUufOMKqYmjdcxNmGdo7B7
Why hot flush drug fezolinetant isn’t the answer: https://link.balance-app.com/content/omxWC0Rj53FutAqkzpeYjl
Fezolinetant for hot flushes: https://link.balance-app.com/content/5GRhNlyon5cfKSCgZMPu1D

@Summerhillsquare Prescribing hormones is very individualised. Some women need progesterone and testosterone before oestrogen - if you feel worse on oestrogen it may be because the balance of your three hormones is not right so it would be worth you seeing a doctor who is really experienced in women's hormones.

Hi Louise I use a weekly 50 patch and mirena. My symptoms were (only) headaches, I don’t flush, don’t have problems sleeping etc.

I feel like my breasts feel quite full and period- like swollen on 50 mcg, so am wondering if I should reduce the dose or use half a patch to see if it has any impact on bringing back the headaches. There’s history of osteoporosis in our family so I don't want to completely stop.
I’ve had Mirena for about 7 years and been on estradiol for about 5. What would you recommend?

@Sorrel212 this is really hard - I have written a lot about the synthetic hormones in my new book "The Power of Hormones" which is worth a read. Many teenagers and young women have low progesterone in their bodies so really benefit from taking progesterone (such as Utrogestan) which is much safer than synthetic "hormones" which actually block natural hormones working

@Relaxd there is a lot of information about endometriosis and hormones on my Balance app - Balance app https://balance-app.com/

Many women with endometriosis are so much better with natural progesterone and natural testosterone (many women with endo have low testosterone) and some benefit from estradiol too. These are VERY different to synthetic hormones you have been taking. I would suggest you see a doctor who really understands hormones - we see many women with endometriosis in my clinic.

@ikeepforgetting yes there is good evidence that testosterone improves muscle and joint pains - it really reduces inflammation in our bodies including in our muscles and joints.

@hushabybaby there urgently needs more training and education for ALL healthcare professionals. We have created a course - www.newsoneducation.co.uk There is so much resistance to learn and I have no idea why. SO many women are needlessly suffering and being prescribed the wrong medications when safe and effective hormones would help them so much more...

Thank you; yes it was localised urinary symptoms that I was prescribed it for, and I do prefer having something I can leave in - do any other hormones come in a similar sort of ring fit?

But the medication instructions clearly state the 2 years maximum use - I'm sure it's just that it hasn't been tested, and/or that it's just quoting the guidelines for systemic hrt, but because that's what the manufacturers recommend, my GP says it will only be for 2 years, which makes me a bit wary about whether I should continue now, or wait until things get worse, so that I don't get used to it and then have to stop.

Is there an actual reference or manufacturers guideline anywhere that says over two years is fine?

Hi Louise, I have had a mirena coil for 2 years for the progesterone of my HRT. I was having fairly regular periods before I had it. I’ve not had a period in 18 months. How do I know if I have gone through the menopause?

@Ownedbykitties Yes older women can start hormone treatments - especially natural, body identical hormones - progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. There are millions of women who have missed out on hormone treatments resulting in both suffering and health risks from being denied hormones

@MVQGR I hope you enjoyed my new book! Often in the clinic we prescribe Cyclogest which is body identical progesterone that can be given rectally or vaginally with good results. There are always options

@WinnieM78 can you see another doctor? I hear this a lot and it does not make sense. I have no understanding of why so many doctors are resistant to prescribing a natural, body identical hormone when they prescribe synthetic hormones to women all the time...

what forms does the cyclogest come in? Is there a ring or pessary form or do you have to use it daily? Why don't GPs ever suggest anything like that - is it quite new?

@TendeleStardust sorry to hear about your mother - I have no idea why your GP is reluctant to start HRT for you - there is no risk of cancer with body identical hormones - progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. You should see another doctor

@ElzasMama There is no need to wait for testosterone if you have low testosterone on a blood test and symptoms of low testosterone. It is a very beneficial hormone for symptoms and future health - we have known this for decades but it is ignored by far too many doctors

@Monetsbridge the risk of dementia is only with the SYNTHETIC hormones not with body identical hormones - there is SO much confusion out there. I have written about this and the roles of hormones in our brains in my new book - https://bio.to/ThePowerofHormones?mc_cid=50db8125f1&mc_eid=9520600d61

@menoworries it is more natural for our bodies to have hormones - progesterone, estradiol and testosterone - then not have hormones. They are all biologically active and have important roles in our bodies. There are more risks of not taking hormones than taking hormones - What are the risks of not using hormone therapy? https://link.balance-app.com/content/CWfcxX8VMXWFl4FMKE4WXI