MENOPAUSE… Yes, we said it: MENOPAUSE.
Using age 50 as a proxy for menopause, did you know that about 25 million women undergo menopause each year?
Many women approach this transition with anxiety about the future. You have probably heard your grandmother and/or mother lament about menopause as a stressful time full of hot flashes, weight gain, and plummeting sex drive. Life changes due to menopause and perimenopause (its prequel) are real and can easily disrupt your sleep, mood, relationships, and overall health. It is therefore completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the changes in your body and mind during this time, and you are definitely not alone in dealing with these symptoms.
Unfortunately, many, if not most, women enter this significant new chapter of their lives uninformed and still struggle to speak about menopause or seek help for their symptoms.
The good news? Menopause is having a moment. That means heightened awareness, more resources dedicated to improving women’s health, and open discussions to ensure you get the information you need.
To help you sort through the options, Bookazine recommends their favorite books dealing with this important topic.
1. Menopause: The One-Stop Guide: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Dealing with the Menopause is an essential resource from an award-winning specialist nurse, highly commended by the British Medical Association Book Awards. It offers practical advice on the physiological and psychological effects of menopause, helping you make informed health decisions.
2. Menopausing: The positive roadmap to your second spring is the winner of the 2023 British Book Awards Overall Book of the Year. More than just a book, it's a movement aimed at empowering women during menopause. This essential guide addresses the shame and misinformation surrounding menopause, encouraging open dialogue and informed decision-making about women's health.
3. Eve How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon challenges long-standing narratives in science by focusing on the female body’s critical role in evolution. With a blend of curiosity and humor, Bohannon revisits 200 million years of history, offering a necessary corrective to the male-centric perspective that has dominated the field.
4. The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power and the Facts by Dr. Mary Claire Haver offers an empowering perspective on menopause, emphasizing that while it is inevitable, suffering through it is not. This comprehensive guide combines science-backed information with personal experiences, addressing the diverse needs of women during this transitional period.
5. The Menopause Brain: New Science Empowers Women to Navigate the Pivotal Transition with Knowledge and Confidence by Dr. Mosconi sheds light on the often-overlooked impacts of menopause and perimenopause, particularly on brain health. Frustrated by the lack of understanding among many healthcare providers, women frequently face a range of symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and brain fog without adequate support.
6. Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause (Pre-order, Publication date: January 21, 2025) by Naomi Watts offers a candid look at her personal journey through early menopause. As a Hollywood star, Watts faced unexpected challenges at the peak of her career, experiencing symptoms like dry skin, hormonal fluctuations, and night sweats.
This supportive guide combines her experiences with the latest insights from hormone experts, doctors, and nutritionists, aiming to educate and empower other women facing similar transitions.
7. Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again by Jancee Dunn is a candid exploration of her unexpected journey through perimenopause in her mid-forties. Faced with a host of baffling symptoms—insomnia, anxiety, dry mouth, and heavy periods—Dunn's search for answers led her to the realization that she was experiencing perimenopause, despite her extensive background in health reporting.
8. The Feel Good Fix: Boost Energy, Improve Sleep and Move More Through Menopause and Beyond provides a practical approach to enhancing health during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. This guide focuses on quick, enjoyable exercises and lifestyle tips, designed to uplift both physical and mental well-being.
9. The Galveston Diet: The Doctor-Developed, Patient-Proven Plan to Burn Fat and Tame Your Hormonal Symptoms presents a transformative health plan specifically designed for women experiencing menopause. This UK edition of the popular program has already helped over 100,000 women effectively manage stubborn weight and hormonal symptoms.
10. It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told) An inclusive and essential new resource for reproductive health―including period problems, pelvic pain, menopause, fertility, sexual health, vaginal and urinary conditions, and overall wellbeing―from leading expert and fierce advocate Dr. Karen Tang.
Remember, menopause is a natural phase of life, and with the right information and support, it can be navigated with confidence and grace. Embrace this time as an opportunity to prioritize your health and well-being. The resources listed above are excellent starting points to educate yourself and find the support you need.
You’re not alone on this journey. By staying informed and connected, you can manage the changes and continue to thrive. Here’s to embracing menopause with strength and positivity! 🌸
Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going!
