Menopause clinics run by TVs Dr Louise Newson are being probed by the health watchdog over concerns about high-dose hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said it is investigating information of concern relating to Dr Newsons privately run clinics, known as Newson Health.
More than a dozen patients told the BBC they had experienced complications. Some developed a thickening of their womb linings — a potential precursor to cancer.
Dr Newson, who is a member of the Governments Menopause Taskforce, has made appearances on BBC Breakfast, ITVs Lorraine and This Morning.
The British Menopause Society (BMS) has removed Dr Newson from its online menopause specialist register, it is understood, as a result of concerns that aspects of her practice did not accord with established guidance.
But she has defended herself against the claims, stating her clinics treat every patient on an individualised basis.
Newson Health has said its approach to care was consistent with national guidelines and that the British Menopause Society was a charity, not a regulatory body.
The British Menopause Society (BMS) has removed Dr Louise Newson (pictured) from its online menopause specialist register, it is understood, as a result of concerns that aspects of her practice did not accord with established guidance
Dr Newson, who is a member of the Governments Menopause Taskforce, has made appearances on BBC Breakfast, ITVs Lorraine and This Morning - she is pictured here with Davina McCall (left)
A spokesperson for Newson Health told MailOnline: As the UKs leading menopause clinic, Newson Health utilises a wealth of clinical experience and data, as well as the best available scientific evidence, to treat every patient on an individualised basis and provide the best possible menopause care.
This is particularly important in an area of health that is chronically underfunded, undervalued and under-researched.
Newson Health has addressed all points raised by the CQC and has not been notified of any resulting concerns. Newson Health is confident in the quality of care it provides and maintains a CQC Good rating.
One woman told the BBC that, despite her HRT dose from Newson Health being three times the licensed maximum amount, her menopause symptoms had worsened.
Four former Newson Health doctors also voiced concerns to Panorama, with one warning that women could come to harm, the BBC reported.
HRT is used to help alleviate symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause, such as brain fog, hot flushes and mood swings.
Dr Newson has defended herself against the claims, stating her clinics treat every patient on an individualised basis
Dr Newson (pictured left) outside the Houses of Parliament in London demonstrating against prescription charges for HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) back in 2022
It can be prescribed as a gel, spray, tablets or patches, with the highest licensed dose of oestrogen being 100 micrograms (mcg) per day.
This is the level at which manufacturers have established safety and efficacy through clinical trials, which is then approved by the UKs Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The Newson Health website says some patients it treats are on higher doses.
It says manufacturers in the UK have set a recommended maximum dose for each HRT medication but this does not mean that higher doses are not safe.
Evidence based medicine is based not only on clinical trial data, but also a clinicians experience and expertise individualised to a patients values and preferences...
Many medicines, including HRT, are prescribed off-label - meaning it is used in a different way described in the license, for example using a medicine at a higher dose than stated in the license.
A CQC spokeswoman said in a statement: The CQC has received some information of concern about Newson Health and were in contact with the provider about those concerns.
HRT can be prescribed as a gel, spray, tablets or patches, with the highest licensed dose of oestrogen being 100 micrograms (mcg) per day (stock image)
Were currently following up to understand if there are any risks to people using the service and if further CQC action is warranted.
Senior doctors in the NHS have previously expressed concerns about women using private clinics given too much oestrogen alongside inadequate amounts of progestogen (both hormones make up HRT).
Some celebrities have said they take the hormone testosterone alongside regular HRT.
Newson Health offers testosterone to some patients, with an initial consultation cost of £230.
In July this year, the British Menopause Society issued a statement on testosterone after several media articles on the topic, saying misinformation risks medicalising a normal life stage and render women dependent upon clinicians, some of whom may also be overly promoting treatment with testosterone, which is associated with a high placebo response.
Testosterone is not an essential hormone for women...
Whilst some women do benefit from the addition of testosterone, this is not the case for all women and in the interest of patient safety, it is important that women are advised within readily available clinical guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), British Menopause Society (BMS) and the International Menopause Society (IMS).