07 - It’s Probably Nothing: unpacking the pitfalls of women’s healthcare with Naga Munchetty

The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Dr Louise Newson

Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Medicine

4.8 • 798 Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by broadcaster and journalist Naga Munchetty, known for her role on BBC Breakfast. Naga discusses her new book, It’s Probably Nothing, where she explores how women’s health concerns are often dismissed, left undiagnosed, or told their pain was normal’. Drawing on her own personal experiences, she examines the harmful impact of medical misogyny and stresses the urgent need for change in how women’s health issues are treated. Naga reflects on the pressure she felt in sharing her personal experiences publicly, balancing her role as a journalist with the vulnerability of becoming the story. Yet by speaking out, she realised how many others had experienced similar struggles. Her diagnosis of adenomyosis took over three decades, a delay that mirrors the experiences of many women conditioned to minimise their symptoms. The conversation highlights the emotional toll of being dismissed in the healthcare system and the barriers that prevent women from advocating for themselves. Both Naga and Louise emphasise the importance of genuine listening and collaboration in medical care, calling for greater support systems, second opinions, and the vital role of self-advocacy. They also highlight the need for better care for marginalised communities, particularly in regions where the word “menopause” doesn’t even exist and women struggle to receive the support they need. This episode is a powerful call for more compassionate, inclusive, and informed healthcare for women everywhere. This episode serves as a powerful call for better treatment, increased awareness, and stronger support systems for women in healthcare. Available to watch on YouTube To find out more about Naga, follow her on X here & Instagram here. Check out Naga's book, It's Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women's Health Crisis (and How to Thrive Despite it) here We hope you're loving the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group. LET'S CONNECT Website: Dr Louise Newson Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, I'm Dr Louise Newsom and welcome to my podcast. I'm a GP, menopause specialist and founder of the free balance app.
0:12.0	My mission, to break the taboos around women's health and hormones, shining a light on the issues we've been too afraid to talk about.
0:20.6	From contraception, sex and testosterone to menopause-related addictions and beyond, we're covering it all.
0:28.5	I'll also be joined by experts and inspiring guests, sharing insights and real stories,
0:33.8	as well as answering your questions and tackling the topics that matter to you the most.
0:41.2	Today on the podcast, I'm very excited and privileged to have with me, Nagamanchetti, who is a presenter,
0:49.0	a journalist, and actually really inspirational to allow others to think and move forward in lots of conversations.
0:57.8	So I've obviously been very enamoured with your work for many years, but I was super excited
1:03.6	when you asked if I could be involved in your book that has just come out called It's Probably
1:09.1	Nothing, but it absolutely isn't nothing, which we're going to talk
1:13.2	about today. So thank you so much for joining me. Oh, well, look, thank you, Louise. I'm really
1:20.0	proud of this book. And one of the reasons I'm really proud of this book is because I got
1:24.5	brilliant people to be part of it. You know, I had more than 100
1:29.0	contributors and I was determined that I was going to talk to people with real life experiences,
1:34.4	but back all of those up with experts from their fields. And so when you said yes to talk to me,
1:39.8	I was ever so grateful. So thank you. Oh, thank you. And do you know what? I don't think 10 years ago,
1:46.3	I could, what I couldn't have done a podcast. I couldn't have had these conversations because I
1:50.3	didn't know the suffering that was going on. And as a doctor, obviously I work a lot with lots of people.
1:57.5	But when you're a GP, which I was for 25 years, you're actually in your
2:02.9	own consulting room doing the best that you want to do for your patients. But you think everyone
2:08.6	else is a similar experience. And it's not until you yourself become a patient or maybe a
2:15.1	family member or like I've done now expose myself to lots of people
	...

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