Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.woman_-1000x667.jpg" alt="dr louise newson" class="wp-image-81644" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.woman_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.woman_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.woman_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.woman_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Her health podcast has had more than 8 million downloads, and new book The Power of Hormones is tipped to be a best-seller &#8211; for thousands of women Dr Louise Newson is the go-to guru on all things hormonal.



From shining a light on treatments to tackling hot potatoes in the hormone space, she&#8217;s one of the UK&#8217;s leading hormone experts and founder of the free Balance hormone health app. 



So, how do they really work? And how we can harness them for a happier, healthier life? Let&#8217;s be honest, there&#8217;s so much info out there, it&#8217;s hard to know where to start.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.vis_-1000x667.jpg" alt="vitamins and fruit" class="wp-image-81643" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.vis_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.vis_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.vis_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.vis_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>







It&#8217;s exactly these issues that Newson will be getting to grips with on a UK-wide tour, Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Hormones, coming to Worcester on 6 May.



Known as &#8216;the medic who kick-started the menopause revolution&#8217;, Dr Louise will be unpacking the science; expect lightbulb moments, real-life stories plus the chance to ask those burning questions in a Q&amp;A session.



Ready to challenge everything you know? We&#8217;re all ears. Over to you Dr Louise&#8230;



*** Want to win 2 VIP tickets for the show in Worcester? You&#8217;re in luck! We have two to give away &#8211;<a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-vip-tickets-to-see-the-hormone-doctor-at-swan-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> enter here</a> ***



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myth-you-re-too-young-too-old-for-hormones">Myth: You&#8217;re too young/too old for hormones</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/3.vits_-1000x667.jpg" alt="woman in bed" class="wp-image-81647" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/3.vits_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/3.vits_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/3.vits_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/3.vits_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Truth: These are the two common myths about hormones. A lot of women think hormone treatments can’t be started during perimenopause as HRT is only licensed for menopause. Also, many women are wrongly told that they need to wait for their symptoms to worsen until they’re severe before taking hormones treatments.



However, hormone treatments (progesterone, estradiol and testosterone) can be taken during perimenopause and there’s no maximum length of time to take hormones for. In the UK, only around 15% of menopausal women are prescribed hormone treatments which means that the majority of women are suffering with both symptoms and health risks of not having hormones.



There is no upper age for starting natural, body identical hormones so women of any age can still usually safely take hormone treatments.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myth-menopause-is-all-about-hot-flushes">Myth: Menopause is all about hot flushes</h2>



Truth: Menopause isn’t a single-symptom issue and in fact, it’s a myth that hot flushes are the most prevalent symptom. A study in 2025 of 1,352 patients at Newson Clinic found that the top symptom – logged by 95% of women – was actually fatigue or low energy. Out of over a huge 444,000 women who have logged their symptoms on the <a href="https://www.balance-menopause.com/balance-app/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free Balance app, </a>the most common symptoms recorded are brain fog, followed by anxiety and low mood. The most severe symptoms are feeling tired, low libido and tinnitus. Hot flushes didn’t even reach the top 40 symptoms!



Memory problems were the second most common symptom (experienced by 94% of women), while difficulty in concentrating (92%) and word-finding difficulty (90%) also featured in the top 10 symptoms.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myth-you-need-to-wait-until-symptoms-are-severe-before-starting-hrt">Myth: You need to wait until symptoms are severe before starting HRT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.vits_-1000x667.jpg" alt="woman in bed" class="wp-image-81648" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.vits_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.vits_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.vits_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.vits_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Truth: Symptoms of declining hormones are commonly felt before actual menopause occurs (before your periods stop all together), during perimenopause.&nbsp; Many young women with regular periods have low testosterone.&nbsp;



Many women find that they have more severe symptoms before they are actually menopausal. You don’t have to wait for your periods to stop before starting hormone treatments. You also do not have to wait for your symptoms to escalate in severity before being prescribed hormone treatments. In fact, the health benefits (including reduction of heart disease and osteoporosis) with taking hormone treatments are greater if they are started earlier.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myth-body-identical-hormones-cause-an-increased-breast-cancer-risk">Myth: Body identical hormones cause an increased breast cancer risk</h2>



Truth:  The risks of HRT actually depend on the type of hormones you are prescribed. Any risks of hormones are in women who take synthetic (chemically altered) hormones, which are not there for women who take natural body-identical hormones.



Some studies have shown that women taking combined HRT containing both estrogen and a progestogen (which is a synthetic progesterone) may be associated with a very small increased risk of breast cancer. However, this increased risk was not found to be statistically significant.The increased risk is related to the type of progestogen in the HRT and not the estrogen. 



Taking micronised progesterone (the body identical progesterone) has not been shown to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women taking estrogen-only HRT actually have been shown to have a lower future risk of developing breast cancer compared to women not taking any HRT.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myth-severe-period-pain-is-normal">Myth: Severe period pain is normal</h2>



Truth: Severe period pain isn’t normal and it could be a sign of a condition such as adenomyosis or endometriosis. Being in pain should never be dismissed or trivialised.&nbsp;



Many women find that taking natural body identical hormones, especially progesterone, leads ti their periods being lighter and less painful. These are completely different to synthetic hormones that are in all hormonal contraceptives. 







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myth-all-hormones-in-hrt-and-contraceptives-are-the-same">Myth: All hormones in HRT and contraceptives are the same</h2>



Truth: The hormones in all contraceptives are not hormones. They are synthetic chemicals which have been made to act like hormones but they are all associated with risks, unlike natural hormones which we make and those that are prescribed as body identical hormones.



Currently, the most body identical form of contraception available in the UK is called Zoely. Zoely is a combined oral contraceptive that contains body identical estradiol (estrogen) and a newer type of progestogen, called nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC), meaning it works to replace your estardiol naturally but it isn’t a completely body identical contraception (since it contains a synthetic progestogen). There isn’t yet a completely body identical form of contraception even in existence.



Body identical hormones &#8211; progesterone, estradiol and testosterone &#8211; are available on the NHS. The risks and side effects of synthetic contraception and older types of HRT are not the same for body identical hormones..







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myth-antidepressants-are-more-effective-at-treating-depression-than-hormone-treatments">Myth: Antidepressants are more effective at treating depression than hormone treatments</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1pills-1000x667.jpg" alt="pills" class="wp-image-81650" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1pills-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1pills-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1pills-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1pills.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Truth: Because mood changes during perimenopause and menopause are usually by altered and low hormone levels, the most effective treatment is to actually replace the missing hormones with body identical hormones, rather than being prescribed antidepressants.



One of our studies of patients who had been prescribed natural body identical hormones &#8211; progesterone, estradiol and testosterone &#8211;  had significant improvements in cognition and mood after four months. Many women find that they feel calmer, their motivation and interest in things returns, along with a greater sense of energy.



*** Want to win 2 VIP tickets for the show in Worcester? You&#8217;re in luck! We have two to give away &#8211;<a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-vip-tickets-to-see-the-hormone-doctor-at-swan-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> enter here</a> ***



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.woman_-1000x667.jpg" alt="Dr louise newson" class="wp-image-81649" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.woman_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.woman_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.woman_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2.woman_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Dr Louise Newson’s tour starts on 14 April, <a href="https://www.nlp-ltd.com/dr-louise-newson-breaking-the-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">book tickets here</a> for The Swan Theatre on 6 May. &#8216;The Power of Hormones&#8217; is out on 21 May.







Note: **All the advice contained in this article is the medical opinion of Dr Louise Newson. Please consult with your own doctor if you are worried about symptoms or are seeking treatment.**



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7 hormone myths busted by a leading expert

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