Dr Louise Newson is back on the podcast, and this time we're talking about progesterone, the hormone most of us were told only matters for the womb.

It's made in the brain. Louise explains how it calms inflammation, helps brain cells repair and is one of the first hormones the body produces after a head injury or stroke. Yet if you've had a hysterectomy, you've probably been told you don't need it.

I asked Louise the questions you keep sending me, including a few I've lived myself (nearly 25 years on Depo-Provera, then a long battle to get my progesterone dose right).

In this episode

Why progesterone is far more than a womb hormone
How your cycle works, and why low progesterone can start in your teens
PMS and PMDD, and why Louise doesn't accept symptoms on any day of the month as normal
Progesterone versus synthetic progestogens: the mini pill, Depo-Provera and the Mirena coil
Bleeding on HRT, the cancer pathway, and why stopping your HRT isn't the only answer
Mood, bloating and anger on progesterone, and the 3 ways it can be taken
Why women in their 70s can still have cyclical symptoms
Medical misogyny, Katharina Dalton, and Louise's outstanding CQC rating
The 4 things Louise would ask the government to do for women's health right now

Chapters

00:00 Welcome back, Dr Louise Newson
00:10 The biggest lie about progesterone
00:43 What progesterone does in the brain
01:45 Progesterone, estradiol and testosterone
03:00 Your cycle, explained
04:13 Low progesterone in young women
04:54 PMS and PMDD
05:52 Progesterone versus synthetic progestogens
06:36 Graphite, diamonds and the strawberry sweet
08:30 Nearly 25 years on Depo-Provera
10:27 Bleeding on HRT and the cancer pathway
14:05 Mood, bloating and anger on progesterone
15:45 3 ways to take progesterone
17:01 Hormones in your 60s and 70s
17:55 Louise's live show
19:48 Medical misogyny
21:15 Katharina Dalton
24:00 The Mirena coil
27:13 An outstanding CQC rating
29:07 What the government should do now
33:50 Estradiol and testosterone
35:55 Hormones as chemical messengers
37:01 Thank you, Louise

More with Dr Louise Newson

Why Testosterone is a Game Changer in Menopause: listen here
Dr Louise Newson talks all things Menopause: listen here
Louise's live show, Breaking the Cycle, free in full on her YouTube: watch here
Watch this episode on YouTube: watch here

Links

Dr Louise Newson: drlouisenewson.co.uk
The Power of Hormones by Dr Louise Newson: get the book

KWEENS: Happiness Decoded by Penny Dee: buy the book

This podcast is proudly sponsored by SkinGoal Skincare, a luxury, clinical grade, vegan skincare brand created by Penny Dee: skingoal.co.uk

This episode is for information only and isn't medical advice. Please speak to your own doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.