Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What’s the difference between natural and synthetic hormones, and why does it matter?
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by pharmacist and hormone expert Sara Hover, who has spent more than 30 years helping women understand hormone health. Together, they explore one of the most misunderstood topics in medicine: why natural, body identical hormones are fundamentally different from synthetic hormones, despite often being grouped together.
Louise and Sara discuss how small changes in a hormone’s chemical structure can have very different effects throughout the body, why synthetic hormones shouldn’t be considered interchangeable with natural hormones, and how decades of confusion have influenced the way hormones are prescribed and researched.
They also explore why personalised hormone treatment is so important, the limitations of relying on blood tests alone and why conversations about hormones shouldn’t begin and end with menopause.
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What’s the difference between natural and synthetic hormones, and why does it matter?
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by pharmacist and hormone expert Sara Hover, who has spent more than 30 years helping women understand hormone health. Together, they explore one of the most misunderstood topics in medicine: why natural, body identical hormones are fundamentally different from synthetic hormones, despite often being grouped together.
Louise and Sara discuss how small changes in a hormone’s chemical structure can have very different effects throughout the body, why synthetic hormones shouldn’t be considered interchangeable with natural hormones, and how decades of confusion have influenced the way hormones are prescribed and researched.
They also explore why personalised hormone treatment is so important, the limitations of relying on blood tests alone and why conversations about hormones shouldn’t begin and end with menopause.
**LET'S CONNECT**
👉 Subscribe on YouTube
youtube.com/@menopause_doctor?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
instagram.com/menopause_doctor/?hl=en&utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
linkedin.com/in/drlouisenewson/?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
👉 TikTok
tiktok.com/@drlouisenewson?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
👉 Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/7dCctfyI9bODGDaFnjfKhg?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
**LEARN MORE**
👉 Download my balance app
balance-app.com/?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
👉 Order my new book
bio.to/ThePowerofHormones?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
👉 Speak to Newson Clinic
newsonhealth.co.uk/?utm_source=louise_podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=clinic_cross_promotion
👉 Visit my website
drlouisenewson.co.uk/?utm_source=DLNpodcast+&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=BAU+
