Newson Clinic - A cult?

[Ittybittytittycomittee]

Please can you share your experiences of the Newson Clinic.

They have so many doctors and nurses now working for them and the care I have received is so inconsistent despite paying in the realm of what now equates to a thousand pound plus. Each consultation has resulted in conflicting information which has now lead to some gynea issues.

I use instagram and there are so many accounts that seem to fawn over the mere mention of Louis Newson name, it's like she can do no wrong. It feels like Newson Health has become a cult with unsuspecting women being over medicalised with out informed consent.

I'd be interested to hear other ladies experiences.

I had a transvaginal scan at the newson clinic and it identified issues that meant I have had a series of hysteroscopies, the first done by a specialist recommended by them, who was very good. Six hysteroscopies later, done by other NHS specialists, they see, to agree with the first one that a hysterectomy might be good for me. Progesterone if any kind just doesn’t seem to prevent my endometrial lining from developing hyperplasia.

Newson only ever recommended two, then briefly three pumps of oestrogel, which I reduced down to two again.

Late to this I know - just to add that I have been with Newson since February, did the mini-testosterone appointment and started on Androfem.
The process is meant to include a blood test after three months. I’ve written to the clinic to follow up, even called the tests centre - Newson hasn’t arranged, I’ve heard nothing. I started getting panic attacks after 3.5 months, which stopped when I stopped the Androfem (no history before).
In summary: the Newson GP was fine, and I thought good. The admin though is awful - and it made me sick.
Still haven’t had the tests.

No, the Newson clinic is not a cult . I’m interested in why you would think that ?

When booking, you have a choice of the level of person you want to see. I always see the doctor . Mine is brilliant . She’s also not just a doctor but a gynaecologist.

You say “They have so many doctors and nurses now working for them and the care I have received is so inconsistent despite paying in the realm of what now equates to a thousand pound plus. Each consultation has resulted in conflicting information which has now lead to some gynea issues”. How many apppointments have you had , you must have money to burn as I go a max of twice a year .

Your post is troubling me. I don’t think you’re genuine. It reads like a journalistic post where you’re trying to pick up quotes for media. You don’t work for the BBC do you ?

www.mumsnet.com/talk/menopause/5176643-bbc1-8pm-tomorrow-monday-309-panorama-the-menopause-industry?page=1

@WhitNC - you're a bit late to the party as this post dates from December 2022.

Hello
It seems, even in November 2024 the NHS is in the dark ages on testosterone.
I have been on oestrogen and progesterone, both bio-identical for years, I got some symptoms back, last year, and upping the oestrogen did not work.

I suspect there may be a smear campaign going on against Dr Newson.
This often happens with people who discover groundbreaking things, Galileo, etc
The BBC programme on her was dismal to me.
I came to this thread from perplexity.ai as I wanted to know the good and bad about Newson Health.
I have been watching her testosterone videos, some pretty recent and not only does she give us comprehensive biology lessons, the stuff she said that related directly to me, was uncanny.
I started to read this thread, but I confess, I got boggle eyed after the 2nd page, so I searched it for the word "Newson" and it seems like a bit of a lottery, from here, on the quality of service from the clinicians at her clinic and the admin, but also the glowing reports.
I say the NHS is in the dark, because, I was advised on a local FB menopause group to tell my NHS GP I have low sex drive, in order to get the blood test.
The GP was keen to get me tested and also upped my oestrogen again.
Still no difference in symptoms.
They came back normal. my T is 1.1, which in my inexperienced eye seems low.
Dr Newson said the NICE guidelines talk about libido, and she points out the wider meaning of the word "Libido" according to it's founder Freud, meaning joy of life, which I have not had for 2 years.
I tried to tell myself, at 58 I had been through the menopause, but now, after watching the Newson videos on T, I want the option to add it in.
Before I started watching Newson, I watched Dr Lisa Mosconi a neuroscientist, who touched upon in her podcast, how T affects the brain.
After watching some of Dr Newson's videos, I thought it would be good for her to do a podcast with Dr Mosconi, - Lo and Behold! there is already a podcast from Dr Newson with Dr Mosconi.
I would book a consultation with her, however I am put off by the bad experiences of women reporting bad service by other clinicians at Newson Health, and wonder why their practices don't all align with Dr Newson, given that they are working with her.

I've no personal experience of the clinic but what I've picked up on these threads and in the press is that when any organisation grows so fast as hers has, there is always going to be a range of experiences and reviews (just as there are for hotels, restaurants, etc.)

The only criticism I've heard which I doubt would apply to you is that treatment is not as individualised as some women had expected. So they'd all end up with Oestogel and Utrogestan which they could possibly have got from a GP or an online pharmacy service.

I appreciate you're asking about testosterone. I have no experience of that but I do know there are other clinicians who would prescribe it readily (albeit privately.) So your choice is really do you try a Newson clinic or another private menopause consultant. It's a bit of a gamble, whichever.

I went ahead and booked a newson testosterone consultation.
The doctor I chose is in a podcast with Dr Louise Newson which shows her as a proponent of testosterone for menopausal women.
I filled out the questionnaire, well two of them, as I need to book a smear and submit results 2 days before 27th November, when my appointment is.
I am not scared of smears.
Ironically, it's low motivation that has stopped me being bothered to do it, as my surgery is half an hour walk there and half an hour back, I had to sit down in the front garden before walking up the stairs to my flat after my last walk to the surgery to get the blood test, result testosterone 1.1

Overpriced

Being so tired could be for all other kinds of reasons- the way you mention being tired after walking for half an hour. Have you had other blood tests for your thyroid for example, iron and Vit D levels, through your GP?

Smear test- is the result likely to be through in time for your appt? That's a very quick turnaround of 5 days.

Dr Newson’s podcasts and videos were very detailed about testosterone, the details of which, were uncannily like me.
I have no interest in seeing Dr Newson as some exalted leader but I do see her as a pioneer.
It’s about what she says rather than her as a person.
I only recently looked into her for myself, she popped up in my online searches,
I’ve heard her name mentioned a lot of the last few years but never paid much attention, and hearing what she has to say make me feel someone understands exactly.

I'm not disputing that.

My post was about other blood tests , not just hormones.

If you've not had your thyroid tested recently or other blood tests they may suggest those which could be pricy. Has your GP done those tests?
Logistics- How will you get a smear test result back in 5 days from now?

I have been a patient of NH since 2019. The care has been utterly consistent. I have seen the same doctor every time and each consultation is thorough and detailed explanations are given to me at the time and by letter post-consultation.
I am a patient whose dosage has gradually been increased to a high off-licence dose and I feel really good on it. I have a Mirena coil and progesterone pessaries to ensure my progesterone dose is sufficient. I recommend the clinic without hesitation to anyone struggling with menopausal symptoms and several friends of mine have also had great experiences with them and are on very different regimes from mine.
The care is completely bespoke and I appreciate the time spent discussing any of my medical symptoms. The only truly holistic approach to my wellbeing that I have ever had from any medical establishment.
I suppose I am a bit of an evangelist for the clinic but not because it's a cult, but because they truly transformed my health.
I guess there is a clue in my username though

I agree with @JinglingXmasbells that LN may have become a victim of her own success . She has put herself in the headlights for scrutiny . There is no doubt that she has increased women's awareness and made treatment accessible for those who were not getting it and that is to be commended.
Most GP practices have a HCP with some specialist knowledge now although they may not be comfortable or in a position to ( through local guidelines) prescribe off licence eg testosterone or different progesterone regimes. Locally there is a new referral set up for more complex cases so the need for private appointments should lessen. One word of warning for private care in general and not just LN is that it is really common for patients to stop attending follow up when they feel better for obvious convenience and financial reasons.This means they are not getting the necessary follow up checks eg Blood pressure, blood tests for testosterone , advice about when to change to continuous progesterone regime etc.

One word of warning for private care in general and not just LN is that it is really common for patients to stop attending follow up when they feel better for obvious convenience and financial reasons.

But a good dr won't continue prescribing without at least an annual check up- that's legally required for any medication. They'd be contacting the patient saying they need to see them.

@jisudye be prepared for the cost of blood tests which should be a part of the overall exploration of what's going on with symptoms. These can be around £200 for 'general' 'full bloods' .

Hello again 🙂
Logistics, Newson Health advised me by phone, it's not a problem my smear test is booked for the day after my consultation.
As for thyroid or other blood tests, I have not had them as I feel the symptoms I have are related to menopause. I won't get these done at newson. The appointment is purely for testosterone. They have an option on the site, purely testosterone or general menopause.

Thank you for sharing your experience with Newson. I have got booked up with a doctor who Dr Newson had a podcast with, and therefore I know she is "down with" my issues.

Thank you for your post.
I got a testosterone nhs blood test which was 1.1.
The GP is not calling me back to prescribe testosterone as they feel my levels are normal.
I will attend the follow up, if I am prescribed testosterone, as my doctor will need to know my experience of it.

Newson's blood tests are an additional cost.
I am hoping the Dr from there will be able to influence my GP enough to prescribe it on the NHS.

I found them to be really helpful. Very little chance of a GP appointment at my surgery. More likely to get an appointment with a nurse practioner and my experience of them has at times been dangerous so I didn’t have any confidence that they would take my concerns seriously. At the Newson clinic I was able to talk about my concerns with someone who listened and wasn’t trying to push me into taking anything I wasn’t comfortable with. For me it was worth it.

Ok so it's good you know that beforehand.
Hopefully they will review all the medication you're on and do a full medical history. If your GP hasn't ever checked your thyroid , Vit D and iron levels, these need doing as fatigue and lack of 'oomph' can be a symptoms. Also consider if Utrogestan isn't agreeing with you, etc etc.
Let us know how you get on.
Unclear why they want a smear before your appt? Is this cos it's not been done or is it required before testosterone?

Hello again 🙂
I'm due a smear with the NHS as routine.
I didn't want to over complicate stuff, I have no thyroid symptoms, I checked that online. My Gepretix agrees with me, it was changed from utro last year I think.
I will let you know how I get on.
Thanks

I'm sorry you feel so short changed. I have never used the Newson Clinic, but was a patient of a very well known, private gynaecologist consultant. Under him, I was on 4 pumps of gel per day (but he was happy to increase me up to 6 if I needed it) with 100mg of Utrogestan on only 7 days per month. He was also happy for me to choose to go 'long cycle' and only take the Utrogestan every 3 months, so long as I had regular uterine scans. My endometrium stayed nice and thin during all the time of my treatment. So, perhaps that has provided some context for your prescribed medicine?

My consultant explained that the correct dose of HRT is almost as individual as someone's fingerprint. Oh and he also told me that whilst anti depressants should never be the first line of treatment for perimenopausal symptoms, they did prove necessary in some cases.

I suspect the Newson Clinic has simply grown too big, too fast and struggles to offer a really individual tailored plan of HRT.