Rethink everything you've been told about hormones – with Dr Louise Newson

Rethink everything you've been told about hormones – with Dr Louise Newson

From Age Better with Liz Earle by Liz Earle

May 22, 2026 · 59 min · Season 41 · Episode 5

About this episode

Dr Louise Newson joins Liz Earle to discuss the important roles of hormones in women's health and debunk common misconceptions.

Thought hormones were just for period regulation and menopause support? In this eye-opening conversation, GP and hormone specialist Dr Louise Newson joins Liz to explain the surprising role progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone play in everything from brain health to inflammation. They discuss the misinformation that’s letting women down, the crucial difference between body-identical and synthetic hormones, and why progesterone may be far more powerful than most of us realise. Louise also explains why cholesterol is essential for hormone production, how testosterone is a natural painkiller, and the questions every midlife woman should feel confident asking about her health and treatment options. In this episode: ·     The difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones ·     The truth about cholesterol ·     Why progesterone might play a role in mental health care ·     Why the contraceptive pill needs updating ·     Prescribing testosterone as a natural painkiller ·     Why post-hysterectomy women still need progesterone…

People in this episode

Host: Liz Earle

Guest: Dr Louise Newson

Topics covered

  • hormones
  • women's health
  • menopause
  • progesterone
  • testosterone
  • cholesterol
  • bioidentical hormones

Keywords

  • hormones
  • progesterone
  • oestrogen
  • testosterone
  • cholesterol
  • menopause
  • bioidentical hormones
  • painkiller
  • mental health
  • contraceptive pill

Mentioned in this episode

Products: The Power of Hormones

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