Menopause doctor accused of risking women’s health with high doses of HRT
Leading menopause doctor accused of endangering women’s health with ‘alarmingly high’ doses of hormone replacement therapy
- The Clinic of Dr. Louise Newson accused of regularly prescribing high doses of HRT
- But dr. Newson claims that high doses are needed to deal with severe cases of menopause
A leading menopause doctor has been accused of endangering women’s health with ‘alarmingly high’ doses of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Dr Louise Newson’s private clinic, Newson Health – which sees 4,000 patients a month – would regularly prescribe HRT doses in excess of the limits, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Regulators allow it, but experts say doctors should only offer higher-than-allowed doses in exceptional cases because of the potential risks, including uterine cancer. Newson Health is said to offer this type of treatment to one in five patients.
HRT increases levels of important female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, as these begin to fall when women enter menopause.
Dr. Newson argues that high doses are sometimes necessary to address severe menopause-related mental health problems and suicidal ideation.
Dr Louise Newson’s (pictured, left) private clinic, Newson Health – which sees 4,000 patients a month – would regularly prescribe HRT doses in excess of limits, The Mail on Sunday can reveal
HRT increases levels of important female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, as these begin to fall when women enter menopause. Pictured: HRT dispenser box
The MoS launched an investigation after NHS doctors said they had seen women develop health problems after being prescribed high doses of HRT at Dr. Newson.
One has been diagnosed with uterine cancer, although it is not known if the drugs caused it. Others developed endometrial hyperplasia – an abnormal thickening of the uterine lining that can be a precursor to cancer.
NHS doctors were also threatened with legal letters by the clinic for using Dr. Newson when consulting with patients.
The clinic was unable to comment on individual cases, but a spokesperson said: “There is no reliable clinical evidence available to suggest harm caused by different doses of HRT being prescribed.”
However, gynecologist Haitham Hamoda said, “Without evidence to confirm the safety of higher doses, a treatment should not be described as not harmful.”
Newson Health said: ‘It is essential to protect a wide range of views within medicine and as the UK’s leading menopause clinic, Newson Health uses a wealth of clinical experience and data, as well as the available scientific evidence, to treat every patient an individualized basis, to provide women with the best possible transitional care.’