REVIEW: The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter
The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability. Factor in widespread misinformation, a lack of research, and the culture of shame around women’s bodies, and it’s no wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition and beyond.
Menopause is not a disease–it’s a planned change, like puberty. And just like puberty, we should be educated on what’s to come years in advance, rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information. Knowing what is happening, why, and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring.
Frank and funny, Dr. Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about:
• Perimenopause
• Hot flashes
• Sleep disruption
• Sex and libido
• Depression and mood changes
• Skin and hair issues
• Outdated therapies
• Breast health
• Weight and muscle mass
• Health maintenance screening
• And much more!
Review
So … lots of information about this stage of life that eventually all humans with female reproductive organs will go through along with a heaping of (at times) vehement feminism. Gunter is the OB/GYN who wrote “The Vagina Bible” and now she takes on explaining menopause. I came for the health facts so the initial chapters discussing the history of menopause bored me. Then Gunter begins to describe the various stages of “reverse puberty.”
Different parts of the book will be of interest and pertinent to readers based on where they might be in “the change.” If they are still looking at this milestone in the far future, there are things that they can do to help make it easier. If hot flushes – or to use a historic term “hot blooms” – are upon them, Gunte discusses whether or not popular/holistic medicines actually have any scientific research to back up their use and what medical treatments are available for post-menopausal issues.
Gunter has a direct style of writing but does tend to natter on at times. Some of the information might be too medical or scientific for easy understanding. I would also have quickly gotten hammered if I had turned this into a drinking game wherein I drank a shot of alcohol each time she took a dig at “the patriarchy.” I think I prefer my non-fiction science books without that much personal opinion added. B-
~Jayne
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I’ve seen a few good reviews for this book and I agree that more information is needed out there for women of all ages so we know what’s going on and how to best treat ourselves. Great review.
Gunter was on the Smart Bitches podcast last week and I enjoyed her discussion of various aspects of menopause (full disclosure: I’m long past that point in my life). I especially liked how she showed direct connections between marketing untested/unproven remedies to women and “purity culture” (everything g is “pure,” “clean,” “natural,” etc.). I haven’t read the book (it’s a bit late for me—lol), so I’m not sure if what came across as conversational on the podcast would read as more strident on the page.
@Wendy Williams: She mentions how many of her patients as well as people writing to her based on her books have said variations of “I wish I had known …” or “Why isn’t there more information …?” so it’s definitely a subject that needs more coverage.
@DiscoDollyDeb: I’m past “the change” too but with so many of us living decades beyond it, there is a lot of information to be gleaned from the book and, indeed, probably still to be learned scientifically.