For many women, the journey to being prescribed hormone treatments for their  hormone-related symptoms – due to perimenopause, menopause, PMS, PMDD, postnatal depression and PMOS (PCOS) is not straightforward.

It means months or even years of searching for answers, attending multiple appointments and seeking further opinions before finding a healthcare professional who recognises their symptoms and offers the hormone treatment they both need and want.

As awareness of hormone health and bioidentical hormone treatments continues to grow, improving education for healthcare professionals is increasingly recognised as a key part of helping women access faster diagnoses, more personalised hormone treatments and better care throughout their lives.

Accessible, essential education

This ambition is at the heart of Newson Education, established by Balance app and Newson Clinic founder Dr Louise Newson and Dr Rebecca Lewis to improve understanding of hormone health and prescribing of bioidentical hormone treatments among healthcare professionals through accessible education, based on scientific evidence and a wealth of clinical experience completely independent of any pharmaceutical companies.

This year, Newson Education launched the first five modules of its flagship education programme, Confidence in Hormones. Designed for all healthcare professionals, the programme covers topics including how hormones work in the body, hormone-related symptoms, testosterone, mental health and hormones, and personalised approaches to prescribing hormone treatments.

Developed by experienced clinicians and hormone health experts, the programme combines the latest evidence with practical resources, real-life clinical scenarios and accredited learning. However, its wider aim extends beyond professional education.

Better education = better care

‘Ultimately, better education for healthcare professionals means better care for women,’ says Dr Holly Carding, GP, Newson clinician and Education Lead for Newson Education.

‘Many women continue to experience delays in diagnosis, uncertainty about their symptoms and difficulty accessing personalised hormone treatments. Improving knowledge and confidence among clinicians is an important step towards changing that.’

A key principle underpinning Newson Education’s approach is helping healthcare professionals understand the science behind hormones and the safety of bioidentical hormone treatments. This can help clinicians provide more personalised, evidence-based care and treatment that takes account of a woman’s symptoms, health history and priorities.

The Confidence in Hormones programme continues to expand, with two further modules in development, focusing on hormone care alongside other health conditions, and the roles of hormones in healthy ageing and long-term health.

The impact of hormones

Alongside its educational programmes, Newson Education has expanded its annual international conference, clinical resources and future webinars , bringing together experts from different specialties and countries to share knowledge and improve understanding of hormone health.

Dr Mark Coombe, senior clinical educator and assessor, believes this broader approach is essential.

‘In the past, hormone treatments have often been considered only at certain stages of life, such as fertility and menopause,’ he says.

‘There needs to be greater recognition of the important roles hormones play throughout our lives. Education has a vital role to play in improving understanding, supporting clinicians and ultimately improving care for patients.’

Karen O’Mahony, Managing Partner of PEAL Capital, which invests in Newson Education and other businesses in the longevity and hormone health sector says: ‘Having spoken to countless medical practitioners in the area of hormone health, we know what exceptional care looks like. Dr Louise Newson, Dr Rebecca Lewis and their team at Newson Clinic have built some of the very best clinical pathways and protocols we've seen.

‘Their 80% repeat business rate is testament to that. What really stands out is how committed they are to sharing their knowledge with the world. We are proud to partner with them to bring an incredible depth of clinical experience and expertise to medical education.’

As understanding of hormone health continues to evolve, Newson Education hopes that continued investment in education, research and collaboration will help create a future where women receive more timely, personalised and evidence-based hormone treatments throughout their lives which will reduce suffering and improve their future health.

Click here to find out more about Newson Education.