Joining Dr Louise Newson on this week’s podcast are Jane Hajduk and Shari Dolan, the real-life friends behind Thee Third Act, a YouTube comedy series about women’s third act: menopause.

Thee Third Act follows Jane and Shari’s characters, Josephine and Lauren, in their search for answers during menopause. From life coaches to hormone replacement therapy, they strive to conquer or at least ease hot flushes, sleepless nights, and astronomical mood swings.

Jane and Shari discuss their own menopause experiences, their off-screen friendship, and why sisterhood, laughter and honesty are key when navigating menopause.

Catch with Thee Third Act on YouTube here – the second season premieres on 27 January

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In this week's episode of the podcast, Dr Louise Newson talks to Paula, a 76-year-old woman who reached out to share her experience of being on HRT for over 30 years.

Paula explains how she was prescribed HRT after a hysterectomy when she was 44, following a complicated gynaecological history, which included an ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, fibroids and endometriosis.

She had been taking HRT for a decade when the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study was released. Paula explains how she researched the study, then weighed up her personal risk and benefits in discussion with her doctor and made the decision to carry on taking HRT. Paula was happy to stay on HRT and credits it with helping her to feel better in her 70s than she did in her 30s.

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Joining Dr Louise on this week’s podcast is Matt Roberts, one of Britain’s foremost fitness experts and personal training pioneer. Matt opened Europe’s first exclusively personal training gym in 1996, is a bestselling author and is responsible for honing some of the most famous physiques in fashion, sport, film, music and politics.

In this episode, Matt and Dr Louise discuss the importance of strength training, cardio and mobility exercise for health span, as well as some of the key barriers to exercise during perimenopause and menopause – and how to overcome them.

Finally, Matt offers advice on getting into good habits during menopause, whether you are already active or haven’t exercised for a while.

Find out more about Matt at www.mattroberts.co.uk and follow him on Instagram @mattroberts_lifestyle

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On this week’s podcast Dr Louise Newson is joined by her friend Liz Earle MBE, writer, TV presenter, award-winning entrepreneur and best-selling author of A Better Second Half: Dial Back Your Age to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life.

Liz is synonymous with wellbeing, and as we head into 2025, she talks about why most New Year’s resolutions fail because they are unachievable. Instead, Dr Louise and Liz together offer practical tips on making some small but meaningful changes to improve health and wellbeing in midlife and beyond, including nutrition, exercise, mental health and hormones.

They also talk about the importance of prioritising yourself – and why self-care is anything but selfish.

For more about Liz, visit www.lizearlewellbeing.com

You can follow Liz on Instagram @lizearleme

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Joining Dr Louise Newson on the podcast this week is A&E consultant Professor Rob Galloway, who talks about his career to date and pressures facing the health service.

He also shares the nutrition and exercise changes he’s made in his own life that have improved his physical and mental health, as well as his top tips on living healthier for longer.

You can follow Professor Galloway on X @DrRobgalloway

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On this week’s episode, Dr Sumi Rampling, a GP and Menopause Specialist who works alongside Dr Louise at Newson Health, shares her personal story of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Diagnosed in early adulthood, Dr Sumi talks openly about the challenges of her ADHD diagnosis, as well as the impact that hormone changes, including perimenopause, can have on women with ADHD.

She talks about the determination her condition has given her, and also offers advice for women navigating hormone changes and ADHD.

Download balance’s ADHD and menopause booklet here.

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In a departure from our usual format, as we reach the end of 2024, Dr Louise looks back on her highlights of this year, including her recent theatre tour, her education work and the work of the Newson Health research team.

She looks at some of the key developments for menopause in 2024, and busts some myths around hormones and hormone replacement therapy. Plus, she’ll be looking forward to 2025, and sharing details of some exciting work for the year ahead.

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Joining Dr Louise this week is Louise Mulley, who shares her experience of anxiety and menopause.

Louise shares the importance of speaking openly about menopause and mental health, and how a conversation with a close friend helped her recognise her symptoms and find the right support and treatment.

She also shares her top three tips on helping friends or loved ones who may be struggling with their mental health during perimenopause and menopause:

1. Help your friend unburden: ask them ‘would you like to talk to me about it?’. Make it clear they can talk to you with no judgement and in confidence.
2. Share your own menopause story to encourage your friend to open up about what they may be going through.
3. Keep an open mind: if you’re a woman of menopausal age and experiencing mood changes, consider that it might be your hormones.

For more information on Newson Health, click here.