An indispensable primer on menopause that reads like advice from a close friend, co-written by a medical doctor and expert in women’s health. It’s one of the most important, least discussed events that happens for half the population. It’s a physiological and psychosocial event, a cultural construct, and a deeply personal experience all woven together in a jumbled knot. It’s menopause. But why is there so much mystery surrounding the topic? This accessible and to-the-point guide makes the entire landscape of menopause—not just the physiology—more transparent. If what you need is a level-headed friend to help walk you through the litany of fears to face, questions to ask, and practical decisions to make throughout your transition, this guidebook offers no-nonsense, straightforward, medically backed information about what to expect and what you can do about it. It offers: A refresher course on reproductive system anatomy, life cycle, and physiology—what are hormones, and how do they influence my body? Information on how to recognize and what to do about common symptoms—when should I see a health practitioner and how do I talk to them? Context for the history of menopause medically and culturally—what do scientists actually know and what are the major myths? Advice on how to get ready, notice changes, and call in support—what is available to try in terms of products, tools, medications, holistic support, or self-care practices?

Integrating modern medicine and ancient spiritual wisdom, MENOPAUSE WITH SCIENCE AND SOUL is an intelligent and thoughtful companion to navigating the menopausal journey. Drawing from the latest medical studies, naturopath Dr. Judith Boice advises women on practical concerns such as bone health, phytoestrogens, diet and exercise, and hormone replacement therapy, and offers stories, interviews, and rituals to nurture women'¬?s mental and emotional health. Essays and poetry from sixteen prominent writers celebrate the broad spectrum of women'¬?s menopausal experiences and honor diverse spiritual approaches to this significant life passage. Whether you'¬?re struggling with hot flashes or reveling in an unexpected rebirth of creativity, this comprehensive guide provides the scientific and soul-centered support you need.Features contributions from:Clarissa Pinkola Est?©sCarol Lee FlindersBrooke Medicine EagleMarlise Wabun WindVicki NobleCarol Bridges

[This] is by far the most wise and thought provoking book on menopause that I have ever read. It is must reading for every woman who dares to meet the challenges of menopause fully and consciously. Christiane Northrup, M.D. This volume presents a holistic, theoretical framework for understanding menopause as a major developmental event in women's lives. Rather than an unpleasant phase to be endured or alleviated, Marian Van Eyk McCain views menopause as an empowering experience that women can use for personal growth. Artfully interweaving her research, years of clinical experience, and her personal perceptions of menopause to create an inspiring new vision of the change of life. She goes well beyond a discussion of hormones and hot flashes to uncover the deep emotional and spiritual significance of this time in women's lives. This book is not only about change on a personal or physical level but in society as well. McCain lays out historical and cross-cultural beliefs about menstruation and menopause and the attitudes surrounding them (from taboos to reverence) and points out that in our modern society women most often either try to ignore or make it through this essential period of womanhood in order to compete in a man's world on male terms. In tune with recent feminist thought, the author says there is a new womanpower emerging, which means that it is time for women to honor their natural cycles. There is no other book that combines the insights, inspiration, and wealth of information contained in this work. It is an important book for the alternative-minded baby-boom generation who are seeking new ways to approach middle age.

THE BESTSELLING WOMEN’S HEALTH CLASSIC—INFORMING AND INSPIRING WOMEN ACROSS GENERATIONS Hailed by The New York Times as a “feminist classic,” this comprehensive guide to all aspects of women’s sexuality and reproductive health—including menopause, birth control, childbirth, sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health, and overall wellbeing—changed the women’s health movement around the world and remains as important and relevant as ever. Providing detailed and empowering information on women’s reproductive health and sexuality, this latest edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves shows how to find and access health information and offers additional resources and stories to educate women about health care injustices and inspires them to work collectively to address them. Including the latest vital information on: -Changes in the health care system—especially how health care reform affects women and how to get the care you need. -Safer sex—how to engage in pleasurable, satisfying sexual experiences while protecting your health and the health of your partner. -Environmental health risks—including minimizing exposure to everyday pollutants that endanger reproductive health. -Body image—resisting negative media stereotypes and embracing healthier approaches to looking and feeling good. -Local and global activism—using social media and organizing tactics to build community and advocate for policies that improve women’s lives. -As well as crucial information about gender identity, sexual orientation, birth control, abortion, pregnancy and birth, perimenopause, and sexuality and sexual health as we age. Together with its companion website, OurBodiesOurselves.org, Our Bodies, Ourselves is a one-stop resource that belongs on the bookshelves of women of all ages.

“Many days I believe menopause is the new (if long overdue) frontier for the most compelling and necessary philosophy; Darcey Steinke is already there, blazing the way. This elegant, wise, fascinating, deeply moving book is an instant classic. I’m about to buy it for everyone I know.” —Maggie Nelson, author of The Argonauts A brave, brilliant, and unprecedented examination of menopause Menopause hit Darcey Steinke hard. First came hot flashes. Then insomnia. Then depression. As she struggled to express what was happening to her, she came up against a culture of silence. Throughout history, the natural physical transition of menopause has been viewed as something to deny, fear, and eradicate. Menstruation signals fertility and life, and childbirth is revered as the ultimate expression of womanhood. Menopause is seen as a harbinger of death. Some books Steinke found promoted hormone replacement therapy. Others encouraged acceptance. But Steinke longed to understand menopause in a more complex, spiritual, and intellectually engaged way. In Flash Count Diary, Steinke writes frankly about aspects of Menopause that have rarely been written about before. She explores the changing gender landscape that comes with reduced hormone levels, and lays bare the transformation of female desire and the realities of prejudice against older women. Weaving together her personal story with philosophy, science, art, and literature, Steinke reveals that in the seventeenth century, women who had hot flashes in front of others could be accused of being witches; that the model for Duchamp's famous Étant donnés was a post-reproductive woman; and that killer whales—one of the only other species on earth to undergo menopause—live long post-reproductive lives. Flash Count Diary, with its deep research, open play of ideas, and reverence for the female body, will change the way you think about menopause. It's a deeply feminist book—honest about the intimations of mortality that menopause brings while also arguing for the ascendancy, beauty, and power of the post-reproductive years.

We are familiar with its symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, and more. While menopause triggers physical changes, it also brings forth spiritual issues that, for many women, mark a redefinition of the feminine self. To address the impact of menopause, Gabriele Kushi has created a practical guide to dealing with this special time. The author first provides a clear understanding of the overall process of menopause, from biological changes to emotional challenges. She then offers research-based nutritional guidelines that can help relieve menopausal symptoms, as well as healthful kitchen-tested recipes based on a natural foods diet. However, it is the stories and portraits of twenty menopausal women that are the heart and soul of the book. Here is a true companion for any woman who wants to nurture her own spiritual growth, adopt a natural foods diet, and enjoy good health throughout the midlife years.

Finally, a book that answers my questions, gives me an action plan, and arms me with the power of knowledge and choices. I have always dreaded menopause thinking it was the end of any youthfulness and the beginning of feeling and looking physically old. Dr. Bitner's book is full of possibilities of how I want to age. ~ Eva Aguirre Cooper, Community Affairs Director, WOOD/WOTV/WXSP

This book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of menopause. The only volume available to provide the doctor's and patient's view.

The menopause is still a taboo topic and a source of uncertainty and embarrassment for many women. In Managing Hot Flushes and Night Sweats Myra Hunter and Melanie Smith aim to provide women with up to date and balanced information about menopause and a self-help guide to reduce the impact of hot flushes and night sweats in just four weeks. This book sets out an interactive four-week programme using cognitive behavioural therapy, with exercises and worksheets designed to enable women to develop strategies for managing menopausal symptoms. This approach is based on the authors’ research and has been shown to be effective in recent clinical research trials. This guide can help you to: Understand the biological as well as the psychological and cultural influences on menopause Understand and manage hot flushes in social situations Learn to modify triggers and use paced breathing to reduce the impact of hot flushes Reduce stress and improve well-being Develop strategies to help if night sweats disturb your sleep With a companion audio exercise and downloadable resources available online, Managing Hot Flushes and Night Sweats offers a complete and effective framework to approach menopause with confidence and to manage symptoms without the use of medication. The book is ideal for women approaching or going through the menopause, for women having menopausal symptoms following treatment for breast cancer, for their friends and relatives, and healthcare professionals working with women.

Teachings, exercises, and reflections to help you be mindful during menopause from a respected psychologist. The Mindful Menopause Workbook will help you bring mindfulness into your day-to-day activities during menopause with teachings, exercises, and meditations. Learn how to recognize and achieve a more balanced, peaceful, and joyful orientation to menopause and beyond. The Mindful Menopause Workbook provides a year’s worth of daily teachings and prompts that offer you moments for self-care and self-development—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Each daily teaching includes space for you to write about the thoughts, emotions, or sensations that are arising for you. This is followed by guided meditations and breath exercises that promote body-mind unity through deep relaxation and expanded peaceful awareness. The book also includes an in-depth illustrated guide to yoga postures and outlines sequential poses that foster greater ease and awareness of your body. Mindful Menopause sensitively addresses issues that commonly arise during menopause, and gives recommendations for managing symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, low energy and libido, anxiety, depression, hot flashes, physical discomfort, poor digestion, and weight gain. Together, these teachings, exercises, and reflections will help you approach menopause mindfully and joyfully, allowing you to deepen your practice and transition gracefully into this new stage of your life.