Wiltshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image.png" alt="Menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson " class="wp-image-41810" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Her health <a href="https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/podcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">podcast</a> has racked up more than eight million downloads, and her new book <em>The Power of Hormones</em> is tipped to fly off shelves. Now Dr Louise Newson &#8211; one of the UK’s leading HRT and menopause experts &#8211; is taking her straight-talking hormone advice on tour. </p>



<p>Heading to Salisbury as part of her UK-wide <em>Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Hormones</em> tour, the menopause specialist and founder of the free Balance hormone health app will be tackling the topics women really want answers to. Think brain fog, perimenopause and the truth about HRT.</p>



<p>Muddy caught up with Dr Louise to talk hormones, HRT and the perimenopause symptoms you might not expect&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-about-the-most-common-perimenopause-symptoms">Tell us about<strong> the most common perimenopause symptoms?</strong></h2>



<p>Although symptoms vary,&nbsp;the most commonly reported on our <a href="https://balance-app.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Balance app </a>are fatigue or low energy, brain-fog type symptoms and mood issues such as feeling anxious, mood swings, low motivation and feeling tense/nervous. Other symptoms such as joint pains, skin changes, urinary symptoms, poor sleep, headaches and palpitations are also common. Hot flushes aren&#8217;t actually as common as you&#8217;d think!</p>



<p>Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are the same, with perimenopause symptoms occurring before menopause occurs (i.e before your periods stop all together). Many women find these are actually more severe during perimenopause, rather than during menopause themselves.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/woman-in-bed.jpg" alt="woman in bed" class="wp-image-41822" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/woman-in-bed.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/woman-in-bed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/woman-in-bed-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/woman-in-bed-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-the-most-surprising"><strong>And the most surprising&#8230;</strong></h2>



<p>Hormone receptors are present in every cell throughout your body, so when levels of estradiol (estrogen), progesterone and testosterone fluctuate and fall this can trigger a range of symptoms. These include symptoms you might not expect, like tinnitus (a ringing or humming sound in your ears). This commonly occurs as there are receptors for estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in the cells in your ears and along your auditory pathways. Having&nbsp;low hormones during can affect the pathways from your ears to your brain.</p>



<p>Another surprising symptom is having itchy skin or skin crawling (formication). This is because as hormone levels fall, your skin can become thinner and more moisture and collagen are lost. The nerve supply to the skin is altered, leading to changes to sensations in the skin.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Burning mouth is another uncomfortable sensation that can affect your tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks and roof of your mouth.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-can-you-tell-if-it-s-pms-or-perimenopause"><strong>How can you tell if it&#8217;s PMS or perimenopause?</strong></h2>



<p>Timing of symptoms is key way to make a diagnosis between PMS and perimenopause symptoms. In PMS, the symptoms usually occur in the luteal phase (days before periods) and usually resolve within a few days of your period starting, whereas perimenopause symptoms will be consistent. It is worthwhile keeping a diary of your symptoms on Balance app to track them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-hrt-and-how-does-it-work"><strong>What is HRT and how does it work?</strong></h2>



<p>Hormone replacement therapy (HRT for short) is the first-line treatment to improve symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. It works by topping up or replacing your missing hormones. Types of HRT usually contain estradiol (the beneficial type of estrogen), progesterone and testosterone.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-2.png" alt="Dr Louise Newson, founder of Balance app " class="wp-image-41821" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-2.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-2-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-2-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-2-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-2-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-know-when-to-start-taking-hrt"><strong>How do you know when to start taking HRT?</strong></h2>



<p>You don&#8217;t have to wait for your periods to stop before starting HRT or for your symptoms to become severe.&nbsp;I&#8217;d advise talking to your doctor and exploring HRT as soon as you experience any symptoms related to hormonal changes &#8211; whether you have PMS, PMDD or are perimenopausal or menopausal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-benefits-of-starting-hrt-during-perimenopause"><strong>What are the benefits of starting HRT during perimenopause?</strong></h2>



<p>Many women find their perimenopause symptoms improve within a few months of starting HRT. Hot flushes and night sweats usually stop within a few weeks of starting HRT. Symptoms like mood changes, difficulty concentrating, aches and pains in your joints, and the appearance of your skin will also improve.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-there-other-health-benefits"><strong>Are there other health benefits? </strong></h2>



<p>We know that HRT also benefits your future health. Around one in three women over the age of 50 will develop a fracture due to osteoporosis. Taking HRT during perimenopause can actually help prevent and repair bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures by around 50%&nbsp;</p>



<p>We know women taking HRT will have a lower risk of developing heart disease and a lower risk of death from heart disease compared to women who do not take HRT. Women who take HRT also have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, depression, cancer, auto-immune diseases, and some studies have even shown a lower risk of dementia.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-keep-hearing-about-body-identical-hrt-what-is-it">I keep hearing about body-identical HRT. What is it?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-1-1000x667.png" alt="Dr Louise Newson on Tour in Breaking The Cycle " class="wp-image-41811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-1-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-1-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-1-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/05/image-1.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Body identical HRT as the gold standard of HRT as &#8211; unlike synthetic versions &#8211; it has the same structure as the hormones your body produces. </p>



<p>The reported side effects and risks around HRT are actually only with the synthetic versions, which are less commonly prescribed. For example, natural, body identical progesterone, estradiol (as a patch, gel or spray) and testosterone (as a cream or gel) has fewer side effects than the synthetic types of hormones and is not associated with risks to your health. Studies have shown that women who take body identical hormones do not have a higher risk of cancer, clot or heart disease, unlike with synthetic variations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-the-hrt-patch-or-gel-better">Is the HRT patch or gel better?</h2>



<p>It is a personal preference regarding which product to use and also about the effectiveness of absorption through your skin. Estrogen (estradiol) patches should be stuck onto your skin below your waist. Most women stick them to the skin on their bottom or upper thigh. They are usually changed twice a week.</p>



<p>Estrogen (estradiol) gel usually comes in a pump-­action bottle or a sachet. The gel should usually be applied to the outer part of your arm, from your shoulder to your elbow, and to your inner thigh.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-benefits-of-taking-testosterone"><strong>What are the benefits of taking testosterone?</strong></h2>



<p>Testosterone is an important and often overlooked hormone. Testosterone is produced by your ovaries, adrenal glands and the brain and levels usually decline in the late 20s. Symptoms of low testosterone include low mood, poor concentration, reduced energy, memory problmes, joint pains and urinary symptoms.&nbsp;Many women find that taking testosterone leads to improvements in mood, motivation, sleep, energy and stamina. Improved muscle mass and strength can also occur.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-hrt-cause-cancer"><strong>Does HRT cause cancer?</strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s the biggest worry for women, but 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) and not in those women who take natural (body identical hormones).&nbsp;</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s look at the science. 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 actually found to be statistically significant.</p>



<p>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. In fact, women taking estrogen-only HRT have been shown to have a lower future risk of developing breast cancer compared to women not taking any HRT.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/menopause_doctor/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr Louise Newson’s</a>&nbsp;Breaking the Cycle tour comes to&nbsp;</em>City Hall Salisbury on 5th June. <a href="https://www.salisburycityhall.co.uk/event/dr-louise-newson-hormones-menopause/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tickets </a>from £31. Download her free Balance app at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.balance-menopause.com/balance-app/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">balance-menopause.com</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE? </h2>



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Is it PMS or perimenopause? Dr Louise Newson on hormones and HRT

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