The Menopause Moment: Mindset, Hormones and Science for Optimal Longevity

by Kelly Casperson

What if everything you've been told about midlife and menopause is wrong?

For too long, women have been fed fear and confusion about hormones, aging, and what it means to navigate midlife. The result is a generation of women left guessing about their own bodies, misinformed by outdated science, and held back by myths that serve no one.

This book is not here to tell you what to do; it's here to give you the knowledge to decide for yourself because women like you are smart. You'll learn the truth about what happens to your body in midlife, how hormones actually work (without the hype or fearmongering), and evidence-based strategies to feel your best and the power to live life on your terms - in health and with science-backed strategies for your longevity.

Midlife isn't an ending. It's an evolution. And when you understand what's happening in your body, you can step into this next chapter with confidence, clarity, and power.

Are you ready to take back the narrative?

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Medicine

358 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Menopause Moment: Mindset, Hormones and Science for Optimal Longevity by Kelly Casperson, M.D.

Dr. Kelly Casperson’s The Menopause Moment is a groundbreaking, science-backed guide that reframes menopause as a transformative phase of life rather than a medical deficiency. Blending rigorous research with compassionate storytelling, Casperson—a urologist and hormone expert—demystifies menopause, offering actionable strategies for thriving in midlife and beyond.

Premise & Themes
This book challenges the cultural narrative that menopause is a decline, instead positioning it as a pivotal “moment” to optimize health, longevity, and self-empowerment. Casperson dissects the interplay of hormones, mindset, and lifestyle, debunking myths while providing evidence-based advice on topics like bone health, sexual wellness, and metabolic changes. The tone is both authoritative and relatable, making complex science accessible without oversimplifying.

Strengths & Highlights
-Science Meets Empathy: Casperson bridges clinical expertise with personal anecdotes (including gaps in her own medical training), creating a narrative that feels both informative and deeply human.
-Holistic Approach: Beyond hormones, the book emphasizes mindset shifts, advocating for self-advocacy in healthcare and societal change.
-Practical Tools: Readers will appreciate clear, actionable steps—from nutrition tweaks to stress-management techniques—tailored for midlife women.
-Myth-Busting: The book confronts pervasive misconceptions (e.g., “estrogen is dangerous”) with up-to-date research, empowering readers to make informed choices.

Areas for Improvement
While comprehensive, some readers might crave more diverse perspectives (e.g., cultural or socioeconomic variations in menopause experiences). The focus on longevity could also delve deeper into emotional/spiritual aspects of aging.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Scientific Rigor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Meticulously researched and cited.
-Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Jargon is well-explained, though some sections demand focus.
-Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Actionable advice, but a few strategies may require professional support.
-Narrative Flow: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Engaging, though occasionally dense for casual readers.
-Cultural Relevance: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Primarily Western-centric; broader inclusivity would strengthen it.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A must-read for women navigating menopause and allies seeking to understand it. Casperson’s work is a rallying cry for reframing midlife as a gateway to vitality.

Perfect For:
-Women approaching or experiencing menopause hungry for science-backed guidance.
-Healthcare providers looking to better support menopausal patients.
-Feminists interested in the intersection of medicine and societal aging narratives.

Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Dr. Kelly Casperson for providing an advance review copy of The Menopause Moment in exchange for an honest review.

Final Thought: This book doesn’t just inform—it inspires a revolution in how we perceive and embrace menopause. Casperson’s blend of expertise and warmth makes her a trusted voice in a crowded (and often misleading) field.

[Kathryn Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some highly entertaining and engaging continuing ed!

[Marissa Sharkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wow...this book was amazing! Very comprehensive, well organized and researched. I really enjoyed the breadth of topics and how she covered all possible aspects of perimenopause. I loved how she explained the errors and misconceptions of the WHI study.

I as a practitioner learned some new things about menopause and love how she supported her statements with research. I also enjoyed the passion of her words (her no BS approach) and advocacy for women's health she has.

I will be recommending this book as an excellent resource for patients and practitioners alike.

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Menopause Moment, urologist and women’s sexual health expert Kelly Casperson takes a deep dive into the subject of menopause and women’s options for not just surviving, but thriving through this dramatic shift in hormones, health, and mindset. Throughout, Casperson pokes holes in the flawed studies and media alarmism that not only scared women away from natural hormone therapy during the first two decades of the 21st century, but also led to a hormone-therapy knowledge deficit among health providers that still makes it difficult for women to access effective menopause care today. Citing reputable studies and breaking down what the risk-related numbers really mean, Casperson makes a compelling case that hormone therapy is safe for most women and is usually the most effective treatment for the long-term low-hormone state that is menopause. And not only is it effective at treating “classic” menopause symptoms like sleep disturbances and hot flashes—natural hormone therapy also supports of sexual health, bone health, heart health, brain health, and longevity.

Loved this! What could be dry and clinical becomes engaging and relatable, thanks to Casperson’s down-to-earth and often funny delivery. As a 50-year-old woman, I’m right smack dab in the middle of my own menopause moment, and I’m so glad I found my way to this helpful, highly informative read. It’s already shaping the approach I’m taking to manage the rocky years of early menopause and help prevent the health problems that could result from decades of low-hormone living. Luckily, I have a health provider who is knowledgable and supportive of hormone therapy, but The Menopause Moment has educated me on a deeper level than I could get in a half-hour doctor visit, and I feel like a more knowledgable and empowered self-advocate after reading it. Casperson emphasizes that goal again and again in The Menopause Moment: She wants women to be informed and empowered to decide what’s right for them. The way she sees it, neither government health agencies nor ill-informed health providers should be acting as gatekeepers keeping women from treatment that’s proven to be safe and effective.

Of course, The Menopause Moment isn’t only for 50-year-old women. After all, one hundred percent of women either already have or will go through perimenopause and menopause someday. This book is for them—both the 40-year-old curious about what’s coming and the 65-year-old wondering if hormone therapy can still benefit her. (Spoiler alert: It can.) It’s also for all the partners, family, and friends who love us and want to better understand and support the women in their lives. Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and Sheldon Press for providing me with a copy of The Menopause Moment in exchange for my review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another insightful and informative addition to the growing collection of books on menopause. While I found this book incredibly helpful—especially in introducing me to the estrogen patch and encouraging me to explore it further—I do wish there were more resources that delve specifically into the nuances of early menopause and life after menopause. Menopause may be a natural phase, but let’s be honest—it’s no walk in the park. Still, this book offered both clarity and validation, which I deeply appreciated.

Many thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press US | Sheldon Press for providing an eARC of The Menopause Moment: Mindset, Hormones and Science for Optimal Longevity prior to publication.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The misunderstanding of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) reminds me of the misinformation about vaccines driving the anti-vax movement in that many are being misled by the information they hear and aren’t fully looking at the science and making data-driven, informed decisions. This book gave an excellent review of the peer-reviewed published studies involving women on HRT. The author outlines the flawed Women’s Health Initiative study, which was stopped early due to increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. These findings led women of all ages to believe their chances of breast cancer are greatly increased with HRT; however, the cohorts in this study were actually post-menopausal women at an average age of 63, many already had pre-existing heart conditions, and the link to breast cancer was overblown. The author then outlines the many studies done on perimenopausal women on HRT, in which the data supports the protective effects of HRT on cardiovascular, skeletal, and brain health with no significant increase in breast cancer. The data shows that timing is important, supporting that HRT started early in perimenopause can be highly beneficial for women’s health. I found this book to be one of the most informative books on the subject, giving a very thorough review of the data in a way that is easy to understand. Excellent.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for every physician, all women looking to maximize their health in midlife and beyond, and those who love them. Accessible and thorough and funny. For those in the medical profession, this is a beautiful review of what is currently known about menopause and perimenopause, including how the Women's Health Initiative study was flawed and set up estrogen as cancer causing when the evidence is not there. Deep dive into all the studies about estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Learn who is using what, when, for what symptoms, and how. She also spends time debunking a lot of the woo health supplements as pricy and not effective. I highly recommend this book. I learned so much!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve listened to several menopause books recently and this is the one I would recommend the most. It’s direct, thorough, objective and the author isn’t trying to sell us anything.

[Kelly Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!! I loved to listen on audible but bought the book as well to save as a reference and possibly share!! Too good to miss for any woman 35+. I had symptoms long before I even recognized what they were and none of my Dr’s or obgyn have had training in Peri menopause or menopause. I was getting the run around and had to find my own resources for help! This book is a great one!!

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 Should be required reading ⭐️💯

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and John Murray Press US/Sheldon Press for providing me with a digital ARC to read and review.

"The Menopause Moment" by Kelly Caperson, MD is a refreshingly science-forward and empowering guide to a stage of life that deserves far more clarity and conversation than it usually gets. Caperson blends medical expertise with an approachable tone, offering a comprehensive look at what’s happening in the body, why it matters, and what women can do to navigate menopause with confidence.

The book is undeniably dense—but in the best way. It’s clear that Caperson respects her readers enough to give them real information, grounded in research and explained with care. While the writing has a modern, millennial-friendly feel, the content is universal. She covers everything from hormones and symptoms to treatment options and long-term health considerations, always emphasizing informed decision-making and bodily autonomy.

What I appreciated most is how the book equips women (and the people who love them) to advocate for themselves. In 2025, accessible, science-driven health education like this is essential. Caperson makes the complexities of menopause understandable without oversimplifying the science, and the result is a resource I can easily see myself returning to again and again.

A fantastic, well-rounded guide. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to better understand their body and take charge of their health.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Apologies for the belated review- I’m always reading too many books at once, and it’s difficult for me to keep up.

I am a middle aged primary care physician on hormone therapy, and I have many women in my practice who could benefit from reading this book. In addition, a lot of my friends have been going through menopause and perimenopause, so this book was especially timely and helpful.

This was an excellent and thorough review, including information about hormone therapy, other treatment modalities for
menopausal symptoms, and the general process of aging in women. The book goes through a lot of the biological changes of menopause, in a way that I think will be easy for laypeople to understand. The author reviews the ways in which we women can optimize their health from middle age and onward - exercise, minimizing alcohol, eating healthy, taking certain supplements, and managing our hormones. (I found the chapter on supplements particularly helpful.)

For those who are skeptical about hormone therapy, I need to warn you that the book is very pro-HT, and rightly so, as there is plenty of good data to support it. I am also pro-HT, but I know a lot of people who are hesitant. (Although those that pick up this book may be a self selected population, lol.)

I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends and patients!

[Savvy_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Menopause Moment by Dr. Kelly Casperson is one of the most refreshing books I’ve read about menopause. The author’s tone is at once comforting and witty…like a very wise and well-educated older sister. So much research is presented and dissected in a way that is easy to understand. I especially loved the summary points at the end of each chapter. After reading this book I feel much more prepared for this stage of life in general, and I now have necessary information to have an educated talk with my doctor. I appreciate the author, NetGalley and John Murray Press US | Sheldon Press for providing an eARC of The Menopause Moment: Mindset, Hormones and Science for Optimal Longevity in exchange for my honest review.

[Amanda Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a VERY informative book. For some people it will be things you've heard before, for others, it will be completely new. It's imperative that women take time to learn about our aging bodies and what we are capable of! This information is critical. Some parts were a little too scientific for me, I mainly just want to know the practical side, but it's important to know where the data is coming from. Kelly takes time to back up her thoughts and I appreciated it. It was a little hard to get through the whole thing, I recommend reading in smaller chunks to really digest the information!! Maybe have a notebook and pen handy to take notes for future reference.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.As a women going through this cycle of life and an RN it is important to have correct information and have it delivered at an enjoyable personal level, it was as if being in consultation where the doctor actually spends the time you need to understand and helps you make decisions for yourself. The author Dr Casperson felt like a friend giving me the lowdown and she is funny! Loved the honesty and reality. Highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with menopause or has a loved one going through it.

[Daveann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was chock full of useful information for women. To know that women can live their later half of life with great quality is refreshing. Getting past the old stigmas that have been ingrained in us and taking our heath in our own hands is the key.
I didn’t agree with the views and responsibilities of FDA. My opinion is they have fallen short and I cannot help but wonder if there is some financial motivation. This was an informative book that I recommend for all, women and men.

[Jorie Griesemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sharing of data and explanations of the science around hormones. This book was really informative and a great read, breaking down studies and info out there in an easy to understand and sometimes entertaining way. I’d highly recommend. And thanks to her advocacy and that of other doctors, I hope an updated edition will be needed in just a few years after the broader medical community catches up.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational and Empowering

Dr. C explains hormones in an easy to understand manner. Every fact for or against HT is backed up with references. Her opinions are direct and sometimes funny as heck. Not only does she address the physical aspects of menopause, she also addresses the way society and women think about aging. This book is great tool to help all women age healthy both physically and mentally.

[Angela Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read which gave plenty of information about peri menopause and menopause in a positive way.
I liked the lay out of the book and the chapter takeaways at the end of each chapter.
A must read for all women over 40.
Thanks to Netgalkey, Kelly Casperson and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Holly M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read on menopause and hormones! Another must-read for the bookshelf of any woman who wants to be well-informed about hormones and the changes we go through. Dr. Casperson isn't always polite, but she is always spot on (and if you don't follow her on Instagram, you should!). This book will both make you laugh and infuriate you, but hopefully it will also empower you!

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very useful scientific resource. That being said, it is not easy to read, and seems to be geared toward medical professionals. I guess I was hoping for more options and solutions, too. To me, the best page was the last one listing helpful websites. If you are looking for all your symptoms to be spelled out, and alternative solutions to meds, then this is not your book.

[Carol Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entering this chapter of my life informed and empowered thanks to books like this. Did you know that hormone replacement therapy can increase longevity, prevent osteoporosis, help metabolism, improve mood, decrease risk of heart disease and dementia, improve sleep and keep skin looking younger? This book debunks the myths and shines light on research that shows the benefits of HRT.

[AJ Thackston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman, whether pre and/or post-menopausal, should read this! We need to quit “shoulding” on ourselves and fight for women’s health. I came across one of Dr. Casperson’s reels on Facebook about nine months ago . . . Love her! This is the second book of hers that I have read. Can’t wait to hear more of what she has to say!

[Kristin Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Caperson's book was so informative and helpful! Despite the ton of info in the book, I found it easy to read and very well-organized.

I recommend it for at least half of the population (i.e. all women)!

I am hoping the medical community catches up with the latest developments on women's health!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a terrific book. I leaned so much and can’t believe how important hormones are to us middle aged women.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up

[Victoria Andarcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any woman/medical professional. Kelly makes it a fun read.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! All women should read this book, especially Millennials and Gen Z, to educate themselves on what’s coming and how to deal with it.

[Audra Fruge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to educate yourself on HRT and all the options, myths, and research. Helped me make some decisions about my HRT.