Could It Be...Perimenopause?: How Women 35-50 Can Overcome Forgetfulness, Mood Swings, Insomnia, Weight Gain, Sexual Dysfunction and Other Telltale Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

by Steven R. Goldstein MD, Laurie Ashner

If you are a woman in your late thirties or forties and are experiencing mood swings, free-floating anxiety, memory lapses, inability to concentrate, sleep disturbances...it is not all in your head, and you are not alone.

This compassionate and comprehensive book covers everything you need to know about perimenopause -- the changes that occur in the decade before menopause -- How much of what you're feeling is due to fluctuating levels of estrogen. Menopause, by contrast, corresponds to a lack of estrogen. Knowing the difference is crucial to getting the right treatment. This book includes the most effective medical therapies and natural remedies and reveals why low-dose birth-control pills are the best cycle myths and realities, what you can do about missing periods, gushing periods, and periods that seem never to end, how to avoid hysterectomy and D&C, how you can prevent weight gain during perimenopause and ways to reignite your sex drive.Addressing women's most ommon concerns about perimenopause, as well as many questions women tend to be afraid to ask their doctors, Could It Be...Perimenopause? provides the facts you need to make smart decisions, and enables you to understand and feel in control of the changes taking place in your body.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Gaijinmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book out of sheer desperation...my body has really been kicking my butt since I turned 40. It was definitely a relief to know that other women go through this Change before the Change. I'm not thrilled that I may continue to go through it for a WHOLE DECADE.....AAAAARGH!! but the book was reassuring.
Warning, for those like me who are reluctant to take the Pill or hormones, the author definitely comes down on the side of modern medical science. I think he was kind of dismissive of natural healing methods and pretty much raving about how great the low-dose Pill is. In fact, in my case, I cannot take the Pill because it sends my blood pressure through the roof. (Whether or not this has been properly researched, it is a fact in my case. I went off the pill and the BP was back to normal in a couple weeks. Iron replacement therapy, on the other hand, is well-documented and has done wonders for me).
That said, I agree with his statement that, if we really wanted to be 100 per cent natural, women would have 8 or more children and would be lucky to make it to age 50 at all! And, I also agree with him that we should all be careful, informed consumers and not be hesitant to ask questions and do research.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun sort of reference book. But having started to read it while in the throes of menopause, I couldn't focus on it and never finished it (there's irony for you), was pretty much through with actual menopause by the time I got around to deciding to mark it "Read" on Goodreads.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty helpful book but unfortunately a lot of the information is outdated. Will need to look for something more current.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book very educational but a little out dated but talks about a lot of stuff.

[Shannon Wallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, too!