When I first met Dr. Louise Newson, she seemed a bit down. She had traveled to London for a BBC Woman’s Hour interview about her research into the potential connections between menopause, depression, and suicide but was pulled from the program at the last minute. “I’ve come to expect it,” she remarked. “It’s disheartening, but not surprising.”
Newson, a prominent menopause expert, was once a regular media figure. She had a spot on This Morning, and her Balance app had over a million downloads. However, after what she termed an “annus horribilis,” which included claims from Panorama that her clinic heightened cancer risks by prescribing high hormone dosages and losing her specialist status, her reputation suffered significantly.
Her private practice, Newson Health, which had catered to around 4,000 patients monthly, saw a sharp decline. She was forced to make significant cuts, eliminating positions for 26 out of 70 doctors and reducing the menopause research she could support. Opportunities for a professorship vanished, media appearances were canceled, and the Care Quality Commission announced an impending inspection.
While sipping chamomile tea at a chic bar in Chancery Lane, Newson confided, “I’ve been in some very dark places.” She continued, “It’s been very difficult. But what truly upsets me is the impact on women. Many can’t access what they need. I’ve never claimed that hormones are a solution for everything. But we shouldn’t be so afraid of them.”
Weeks later, when we connected again, Newson appeared notably more positive. With her hair perfectly styled and a lively smile during our Zoom call, she reflected on a conference encounter with a couple who expressed gratitude for her podcast, which addresses menopause topics and has nearly nine million downloads. “The husband said, ‘It’s our anniversary today. Two years ago, my wife thought she had dementia [menopause can cause memory loss]. It’s only due to your podcast that she looked into hormones. Now she’s on HRT, and our whole life is transformed.’ Those moments are humbling; women are making informed choices based on my insights, and that’s significant to me,” she explained.
She acknowledged the challenges of the past year but drew strength from personal experiences. “I’ve dealt with tough situations before, like losing my dad when I was just nine. I’ve made it a rule that nothing is worse than that.” Newson laughed, adding that her three daughters, aged 14, 21, and 23, keep her motivated. “They say, ‘You get back out there.’ I often respond, ‘But I just want to stay home and bake.’ Yet, they insist, ‘You need to continue. You’re making a difference.’”
Newson, 55, didn’t plan to focus her career on female hormones. Originally an aspiring oncologist, she saw a lack of female role models in her field, which influenced her decisions. “In the hospital, I couldn’t find a happily married woman. Many were divorced or barely saw their children, and I wanted my daughters to have me around.”
She transitioned to general practice, publishing books on evidence-based medicine only to discover that women experiencing menopause symptoms weren’t receiving adequate care. “Many felt dismissed or given antidepressants with serious side effects.” After experiencing her own symptoms about a decade ago, including night sweats and mood lows, she sought help and realized her estrogen levels were dangerously low. Increasing her dosage significantly improved her symptoms, leading her to open her clinic the following year, aiming to provide unbiased, evidence-based information on hormonal health.
Newson Health soon gained a reputation for being more proactive in prescribing HRT at higher dosages than many other practices. Yet, this peace of mind sparked controversy. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency sets a recommended daily maximum dose of 100mcg of estrogen. Even though practitioners can justify higher doses, many are hesitant, worried about cancer risks. A 2002 study initially linked combined HRT to severe health issues, causing many doctors to avoid the treatment altogether. Though public opinion has shifted, caution remains prevalent.
Dr. Channa Jayasena, an endocrinologist at Imperial College London, noted, “Higher doses haven’t been properly studied for their effectiveness. In medicine, more isn’t always better; it can indeed be dangerous.” However, Newson disagrees, pointing to peer-reviewed studies that challenge the supposed heightened risks associated with higher dosages. She argues that many existing cancer risk assessments are based on synthetic hormones as opposed to the body-identical ones she prescribes.
Furthermore, Newson believes in a tailored approach. Some women require higher dosages for proper absorption. “If I prescribe 300mcg, they might not actually receive that amount. It’s like having a bathtub full of estrogen gel; I could sit in it, but my body wouldn’t absorb it at all.” Critics warn that a significant portion of her patients receive these high doses, but Newson remarks that many have turned to her after unsuccessful attempts with NHS treatments.
Her rising profile also put her at odds with the British Menopause Society (BMS). In 2023, the BMS and several other organizations warned against regularly prescribing dosages above the accepted limits due to safety concerns. A Panorama episode disclosed her removal from the specialist register after patient complaints about complications arose, fueling both concern and scrutiny.
Newson insists that any cancer links don’t definitively mean hormones were the cause. She underscores that many satisfied patients exist. Despite ongoing inspections and scrutiny, she believes she’s undergoing a “witch-hunt” for challenging conventional beliefs, citing emails from BMS trustees that branded her as a nuisance.
She counters that much of her stance is misunderstood. Newson claims she only increases dosages when absolutely necessary and regularly discusses alternatives with her patients. “It’s not that I’m fixated on hormones. I just see their benefits. I also talk about broader lifestyle changes.”
Feeling underestimated within the medical community due to being labeled “just a GP,” Newson asserts her credentials. “I’ve authored multiple books, worked academically, and researched extensively on this subject. I’m a careful doctor who genuinely aims to help women access the care they need.”
Louise Rachel Newson: curriculum vitae
Born August 11, 1970
Education Pathology and medical degrees from the University of Manchester
Career GP in Solihull, Birmingham, from 2003 to 2018; writer and editor for GP Magazine for over 20 years, among other roles in medical publishing. Founded Newson Clinic in 2018; launched the Balance app for menopausal women in 2020
Family Married with three daughters
Quick fire
Riot Women or The Assassin? Riot Women — I was a medical consultant in the credits.
Private medicine or public medicine? Public medicine if it works properly.
Hormones or lifestyle changes? They need to work together.
Wes Streeting or Matt Hancock? Neither.
Mariella or Davina? Davina. I was heavily involved in her menopause documentary.
