The New Perimenopause: An Evidence-Based Guide to Surviving the Zone of Chaos and Feeling Like Yourself Again

by Mary Claire Haver

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause explains everything a woman needs to know to thrive during the often-misdiagnosed and medically ignored perimenopausal years

I’m just not feeling like myself! This is the battle cry of the perimenopausal woman.

Though menstrual cycle changes and the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies them are the hallmarks of the transition to menopause, many women with regular periods as young as 35 can also start to feel irregular, with symptoms that include anxiety, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, sexual symptoms, and volatile moods. This array of symptoms can be hugely disruptive—all the more so when a doctor dismisses a woman’s complaints as all in her head or prescribes unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment.

In The New Perimenopause, Dr. Mary Claire Haver—the acknowledged mother of the movement to revolutionize health care for women—sets things straight. She explains that the numerous and varied symptoms of perimenopause occur in direct response to normal endocrine changes; this is the hormonal "zone of chaos."

A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, The New Perimenopause

Clear, science-backed explanations of what's going on in your body, from changes in your menstrual cycle to energy levels, mood, sleep, and sexual issues.How and why dealing with these changes now is preventative medicine for your later years.Checklists, questions for your doctor, and how to insist on good care.The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of progesterone therapy to help ease your hormonal transition.
Whether you have symptoms or not, The New Perimenopause helps remove the mystery around this time of change, putting women in control of their health going forward.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Medical

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The New Perimenopause, by Mary Claire Haver, MD, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is about Perimenopause, and how it affects women's bodies. This is a helpful book on what women can look forward to in menopause.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The New Perimenopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver is an incredibly informative, helpful, and educational read. Even as a healthcare professional, I learned far more than I expected … which really highlights how little depth we’re often given in training when it comes to perimenopause and women’s health overall.

At times, the book felt repetitive, with a strong emphasis on encouragement and reassurance. While I personally didn’t need as much of that, I recognize that many women will find it validating and empowering.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I would absolutely recommend it to all women. The education alone makes it a valuable resource, especially for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of perimenopause

[Jessica Ashe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

The New Perimenopause is an invaluable resource, and honestly a must-read for any woman seeking clarity, insight, and empowerment regarding her health during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Mary Claire Haver breaks down complex medical concepts into digestible, compassionate information that makes you feel informed rather than overwhelmed.

I’ve recommended Dr. Mary Claire to countless women, and this book only reinforces why. Her guidance is evidence-based, practical, and deeply validating for women who may feel dismissed, confused, or alone in their symptoms. The insights here are truly priceless—whether you’re already navigating perimenopause, preparing for what’s ahead, or simply wanting to understand your body better.

If you’re a woman looking for solid, science-backed support during this season of life, The New Perimenopause delivers with clarity, empathy, and empowerment. Highly, highly recommend.

[Robin | BookAdoration Marchadour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every middle-aged woman needs to read this book. In The New Perimenopause, Dr. Mary Claire Haver breaks down the science behind virtually every perimenopause symptom you might experience. Even better, she offers real, practical solutions—backed by scientific studies—and provides clear talking points you can take straight into your next doctor’s appointment.

Women do not need to suffer in silence anymore. This book was so informative and empowering!

Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse and @drmaryclaire for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must-read, it is insightful and honest, based on evidence and facts! It's mind blowing to me how little has been taught on this subject in the past. Thank you Dr. Haver!

[Kathy Boskind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-researched book with lots of information about symptoms that women might have during perimenopause. It was much more scientific (less anecdotal) than I anticipated, which made it hard to read at times. Not a bad thing, necessarily, but not what I was expecting.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am disappointed in this book when comparing it to “The New Menopause” by the same author. This book was repetitive and very scientific with very little layman terms. I have a doctorate in a medical field and still felt bogged down by all of the chapters. I skimmed a lot! I also felt a lot of the book was the author discussing woman’s health disparity issues, which is accurate and needs to be addressed, but the author spent many, many paragraphs saying the same things about it.
My suggestion would be to read “The New Menopause” instead. It is written with easier to digest wording, has a better overall structure (especially when it comes to symptoms and how to treat), and is less repetitive. This book offers little to no additional information that is specific to perimenopause versus menopause.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The POSITIVE of this book is that it has a lot of information about the science of why you might experience certain things. It also has a lot of validation for people who tried to get help but were dismissed by their doctors. It has a list of conditions you might be diagnosed with and treated for when you really should try a trial of hormone replacement therapy which is possibly the underlying cause for those issues.

The NEGATIVE of this book is that a huge portion of it is devoted to a discussion of "Why Your Doctor Won't Take You Seriously." Also known as "Why Women's Health Outcomes Suck and Healthcare Disparity." When I say a huge portion, I want to estimate 20-30%. It's such a large portion that I felt more discouraged than empowered. I almost felt like the book could have been titled "Your Doctor Won't Listen to You So You Might As Well Not Try." So, I've finished the book and I need a vending machine serving of Oreos for the depression.

The SECOND NEGATIVE of the book is that if the only solution you are going to offer is hormone therapy, exercise, and nutrition, then maybe you should put the chapter on Who's A Good Candidate for hormone replacement therapy at the beginning. So that those of us who aren't candidates don't waste our time. I can get exercise and nutrition info anywhere. There's a portion of the book discussing that perimenopause can damage your liver and that hormone replacement will protect your liver. Then in the who's a candidate section it says that people with liver disease can't process the hormones because your liver is damaged. So... now I'm confused. Does the book need an extra sentence that says "Early stage liver - yes to hormone therapy and End Stage Liver - no to hormones?" Where's the cutoff? Or does it need a sentence called "Try it and see which direction your health goes." I don't know and that's a problem.

I really hate to dump on the book too much though, because so few doctors even take the situation seriously and I hate to dump on one of the few who is trying.

I have a thought though. There's a story in the book about how the author's mom is treating not feeling like herself in her later years with Butisol. She remembers her mom curling her fingers around the pill bottle protectively like that bottle is the only thing getting her through the day. Then the author says she discovered in medical school that Butisol is a barbituate and that it's not an appropriate treatment for symptoms of perimenopause. Yet, I can't help thinking that this treatment is so much more than a lot of us are getting. She curled her fingers because she liked it. It must have been a little helpful? Where's the section of the book entitled "If you can't take hormone therapy you could try these not great but better than nothing old style doctor dismissal cures." I feel fairly confident that this is not the moral that the author was intending me to take from this story. Nevertheless, I'm holding an empty wrapper of ultimately unhelpful and unsatisfying Oreos and wondering it I could have gotten better care if I was 30 years older and born in a different time.

I wish I could rate this book higher, but my overall level of increased unhappiness after I finished reading just won't allow it. Sorry.

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

You had me at "The New Perimenopause." But we became bound for life when you quoted Dr. Stacy Sims early in the book. I am here for it all.

I've felt extremely fortunate to have medical providers whom I perceive to listen, be dialed into women's health issues (I'm AFAB so this matters to me for practical reasons), and who - over time - have offered me strategies that have seemed to work and have listened supportively and found solutions when they haven't. That's an especially good thing when you are arriving at a time in life that seems like a medical mystery, even to medical professionals. Until I hit my mid-30s, I'm not sure that I'd had any sense that perimenopause existed. Now, a decade later, I feel very thrilled to live in a time where people are really bringing more awareness to the realities of perimenopause and menopause. When I had a series of random atypical health situations last year, I had no idea what was happening to me. I have the kind of diet and lifestyle that all providers tell you to aim for; I actually live it to extreme degrees. Why was this stuff happening to me? There appeared to be one clear answer that was previously utterly mysterious: perimenopause (as you guessed)! Since that time, I really can't get enough related content, and am basically worshipping at the altar of folks like the aforementioned Dr. Sims and now Dr. Haver, too . This book? It was an immediate must read for me for the many reasons articulated here and more.

I enjoyed so much about this book. It's informative, mindful of an audience that's coming with varying degrees of information, and detailed. Haver provides all kinds of insights from her experiences with patients, her personal experiences (let's be real - there's something very meaningful about a provider who can say to you "I, too, have had these exact experiences. I know how challenging it is."), and her research. This is a comprehensive guide without being unrealistic about limitations in research and viewpoints in our culture. Something else I loved here? The constant affirmations about how to advocate for yourself with your own providers. I think a lot of folks - women in particular - can struggle with this. There is a lot of useful content on what to ask, how to get the most out of your experience, and what not to accept.

This is an absolute must-read for anyone who has gone or will go through this life stage OR who knows someone who will. I'll freely admit to joking with my siblings about my mom's "meno-raging" in the past, and now that I'm an aspiring meno-rager myself, I realize that maybe we ALL can benefit from more info on this front!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Rodale for this arc , which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone that has just walked through the front door of the perimenopausal fun house, I was so excited to read this. And this is overwhelmingly packed full of information. Maybe too much for my tiny brain to grasp because the brain fog is real. All I know is, hormones are super duper important for the female body, and gosh darn it, when you hit 40, they spazz out on you. The teenage years all over again, but this time you have a mortgage. It’s overwhelming and feels worse than doom scrolling on social media because at least with social media, you can get the occasional panda bear falling out of a tree. This is just a withering of your brain and body.

It’s all so new and scary. New information about perimenopause is flying around, and it’s probably safe to say that this book will be obsolete in 5 years. And that’s exciting. The world is finally talking about this, as it should have for decades. I liked the information about anti-inflammatory foods and simple things to help with the day to day. There is a meal plan and even recipes. This felt very helpful because it is actually things I can do. Because, honestly, this phase feels expensive. And I’m not made of money. So getting tested for everything just doesn’t seem plausible for my household. I do like that I now have an excuse for anything and everything. “I can’t, I’m perimenopausal.” And I’m going to use this excuse as much as I can since I’ve not enjoyed my time in this fun house- not at all. I haven’t felt myself since it started, and I’m too busy to try to relearn who I am right now. I’ve got babies to raise, gardens to grow, books to read, and traveling to get to. I will revisit this book often as I navigate this new adventure I’m on, and I’m so grateful that it’s been written.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance readers copy. This review is my own.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in my early forties and perimenopause symptoms hit me like a brick wall last year. This book has made me feel less alone and more confident in pursuing a path towards treatment and prevention.

It starts with background information to set context before diving into what you can do to address the chaos and understand what’s going on, and get an idea of just how all over the place it can be. It's a bit science heavy, but the author does a good job of explaining the why in addition to the what.

After that it dives into an overview of the various medical treatment options - these are more informative than actionable in this book though, as you need to consult a professional and get analysis of your own hormones, symptoms, etc to choose the best path.

Next, the author shares both explanations and guidance for lifestyle changes to support hormonal health, so this provides something more readily actionable without seeking professional help.

And lastly, the final chapter provides a blueprint for talking points and lab tests to support your next doctors appointment.

I went into this wanting to understand more about what I’m going through to make sense of it all and figure out what I can do to feel better, but the most eye-opening aspect for me was learning that not seeking mitigating action could really impact my long-term health. To this point I’ve been doing my best to cope naturally, but it made me realize just trying to put up with it might really be hurting my future self. I will now be looking into trying to get more help!

Thank you NetGalley and Convergent Rodale Books for sending this DRC for review consideration.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a woman navigating the murky waters of perimenopause—or someone who loves a woman going through it—buy this book immediately. For too long, perimenopause has been treated like a "hush-hush" medical mystery or a series of jokes about hot flashes. This book finally strips away the stigma and replaces it with evidence-based science, deep empathy, and actionable strategies.

Why It’s a Must-Read:
• For Women: It serves as a comprehensive roadmap. It validates the "invisible" symptoms—the brain fog, the sudden anxiety, and the sleep disruptions—while providing clear options for both holistic and medical interventions. You’ll go from feeling "crazy" to feeling empowered.
• For Support Partners: This is perhaps the book's greatest strength. Its detail explanations help partners understand the physiological shifts occurring. It bridges the communication gap, helping partners move from confusion to being an active, informed ally in the journey.
• The Tone: It’s like having a conversation with your smartest, most supportive friend who also happens to be a top-tier medical expert. It’s concise, witty, and profoundly reassuring.

The Bottom Line
This isn't just a health manual; it’s a relationship-saver. It turns a potentially isolating life stage into an opportunity for growth and deeper connection. Every household should have a copy on the nightstand.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being at an age where I am coming into perimenopause, I requested this book thinking it would be a useful read. However, my thoughts after reading are a bit mixed. On the one hand, the book outlines all the changes that will take place, with clear explanations of medical issues that a layperson can follow. The book examines symptoms that may occur and looks at options for dealing with these and keeping in good health while going through this stage of life. The reason I am on the fence, though, is that I went into this book hoping to equip myself with knowledge and ended up terrified. So many potential health issues listed one after the other! 'Anxiety may increase during perimenopause' the book tells me.... Well, mine certainly did after reading all the ways I could soon be debilitated! I guess it is better to be forewarned and take action to prevent issues as much as you can, but I can't help but feel that reading this book has made me more stressed and concerned than I was going in. I am giving it 4 stars, as the information is useful and well presented, but if you read it, bear in mind it could make you worry a bit (or a lot).

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

The New Perimenopause by Mary Claire Haver was absolutely the right book for me at this stage of my life. As someone currently navigating perimenopause, I’m genuinely glad I read it. There’s something empowering about understanding what’s happening in your body instead of just feeling like things are “off.”

This isn’t my usual reading material, I tend to live in fiction and I’ll admit it does read a little dry at times. But honestly? That’s exactly what you’d expect (and probably want) from a medically grounded, evidence-based guide. It’s thorough, informative, and clearly rooted in research.

What I appreciated most was how validating it felt. So many symptoms are brushed off or minimized, and this book reinforces that what you’re experiencing is real — and manageable. It also offers practical information you can actually take to your healthcare provider, which makes it feel actionable rather than overwhelming.

If you’re in this stage of life (or approaching it), this is a solid, informative resource to have in your back pocket.

[Maddie Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.75 stars

As someone who works in women’s hormone health daily, I appreciated how clearly Dr. Mary Claire breaks down the science of perimenopause. The research citations, physiological explanations, and overall education are m strong and make this a worthwhile read for anyone wanting to understand what’s happening in their body.

Where the book lost me a bit was in its rigidity. Treatment options outside Dr. Mary Claire’s comfort zone (pellets, non-FDA-approved treatments, etc.)are dismissed more quickly than they deserve. In 2025, we can acknowledge that something may not be our preferred modality while still recognizing it as a valid choice for women, especially when patients have incredible results and labs to support them.

Overall, this is a solid, science-forward resource. However, the conversation around treatment is wider and more individualized than what’s presented here.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for and advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chrystal Mahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does something many women’s health resources fail to do: it takes perimenopause seriously. Dr. Mary Claire Haver offers clear, research backed explanations for the symptoms so many women are told to ignore or endure.

The strength of this book lies in its clarity and validation. From brain fog to anxiety to physical pain, the symptoms are framed as real, physiological responses to hormonal change, not personal failure. That reframing alone makes this a powerful read.

Practical tools throughout help readers prepare for conversations with doctors and understand treatment options, including progesterone therapy. This approach feels proactive rather than reactive, emphasizing prevention and long term health.

While experienced readers may find some information familiar, this remains a strong, accessible guide. The New Perimenopause is a solid and necessary resource for women who want facts, agency, and better care during this stage of life.

[BHK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally…a book that actually makes sense of what’s happening in your body during perimenopause. Dr. Haver breaks down all the confusing symptoms (brain fog, anxiety, weird cycles, hot flashes, mood swings) in a way that makes so much sense and feels genuinely supportive without brushing off your symptoms. I love how she mixes science with empathy, and you can tell she truly gets what women are going through. This isn’t a fear based or fluffy “self help” book. It’s clear, empowering, and packed with practical information like what to ask your doctor, how hormones really work, and why taking care of yourself now matters long term. I found myself highlighting entire sections because they explained things my doctors never have. It’s validating, eye opening, and honestly should be required reading for every woman over 35!

[Brady Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the chance to read this title in advance of its release.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is giving a voice to women who have felt dismissed, gaslit, and at best-underserved by their trusted physicians and family.

As women, we are often told that with aging you “just” forget things, have trouble sleeping, struggle to lose weight, and just don’t feel like yourself. And for a long time, most medical professionals agreed.

Dr. Haver is changing the game! She experienced Menopause and life-altering changes it brings, and realized she needed to learn more to better serve her own obgyn patients.

The New Perimenopause is a fantastic guide to the why, how, and what we can do live a better, more fulfilling life during this transition.

[Paige Rothwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything women have been waiting for when it comes to understanding midlife health. Dr. Haver explains perimenopause in a way that’s clear, validating, and genuinely empowering. She doesn’t dismiss or sugarcoat the symptoms—she breaks them down with science and compassion.

From brain fog and mood swings to energy shifts and hormonal changes, everything finally makes sense. I love how she combines medical insight with empathy—it feels like getting advice from a trusted friend who also happens to be a doctor.

This should be required reading for every woman over 35. Informative, eye-opening, and full of practical takeaways for taking back control of your health and wellbeing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[G C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for any woman, especially those 35 plus. It so so difficult to find good information regarding menopause let alone perimenopause and so many healthcare workers still know so little about it.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver seeks to educate women and the physical and hormonal changes we are experiencing that often go overlooked or not taken seriously. This book made me feel more empowered about my body and the changes it is facing and makes me feel like I can better advocate for myself at my next appointment.

The book is separated into three parts. The chapters are clearly titled so that it is easy to refer back to the specific issue you want to revisit which is beyond helpful as I know I will refer back to this many times.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The New Perimenopause and unfortunately found it to be a huge disappointment. This book offers nothing new. It largely rehashes the same information already covered in The New Menopause, which itself could have easily been skimmed for the key points.
Rather than expanding meaningfully on perimenopause, this felt like a repackaging of existing content, seemingly released to capitalize on the popularity of the previous book. I went in hoping for deeper insight, updated research, or practical guidance specific to this stage, but none of that was delivered.
Overall, this felt unnecessary and frustrating. I would not recommend spending money on this, especially if you have already read The New Menopause.

[Ginger Hudock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I wish I had 10 or more years ago. As a post menopausal woman with a familial history of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and diabetes, I knew I was in danger of developing all of these but did not fully understand how to prevent them. This book explains all of these and more, as well as giving recommendations on what to do. The section on hormone replacement therapy was especially useful in my opinion. This book echoes a number other recent ones in emphasizing the importance of high protein nutrition in mid-life and beyond as well as strength training exercise.
This book would be very useful for any woman aged 40-plus to use as a resource with her health and medical team.
I received a prepublication copy via NetGalley from the publisher.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Synopsis: Everything you’d ever want to know about your body during perimenopause, treatments and research.

Thoughts: I am the prime age for someone to read this book, and most likely perimenopausal, I was really excited to read this. I have followed Dr. Mary Claire on Instagram for awhile and was thrilled when she announced this book. As I was reading, it got bogged down either way lots of medical speak, which is great but my brain just isn’t wired to understand complex medical stuff, so it got to be a lot at times. I felt a lot of the book was saying the same thing over and over again- not much research but you aren’t alone and your symptoms shouldn’t be dismissed.

Thank you to Mary Claire Haver, MD, Covergent/Rodale Books and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

[Kristin Donegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a free advanced reader copy of The New Perimenopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver from NetGalley. I enjoyed reading this book as it validated a lot of what I was feeling. It was very informative, structured around parts of perimenopause and how to help each part. The author does mention finding a Menopause educated practitioner, but doesn't state how to actually find that until about 20% through the book. The author then gives an overview of the individual ways to make perimenopause better and less chaotic. It felt repetitive, but this overview was helpful in gaining knowledge of methods to ease this transitional period.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. Haver does a great job of breaking down the information and explaining. I do think this is definitely more of a reference guide and relatively in depth. A lot of it felt a bit overwhelming as someone who's not super well versed in science and biology. Still things are broken down in a way that everyone can pull different pieces of knowledge and information. This is a nice combination of anecdotes of Haver's patients, her own experience, and medical information. A great resource!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought The New Menopause was much more accessible in its language. The New Perimenopause is more hard science and The New Menopause is more about how to advocate for yourself when talking to your doctor. Both are needed but I am glad I read The New Menopause first because that book made more sense to me. I still gave it a 4-star rating though because my aversion to scientific language shouldn’t be a hindrance to the importance of educating women about what is happening to their bodies in midlife.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s about time for research based information on perimenopause! This is a helpful reference guide. It gets fairly technical and detailed in sections but you can focus on the chapters that are your most relevant concerns if needed. Good information on the current research and products available and how to talk to your doctor. I appreciated the practical suggestions for nutrition, sleep, and exercise as well.
Thank you to Convergent and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected ebook ARC of 'The New Perimenopause' by Mary Claire Haver, MD - expected release date of 04/07/2026

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a well researched, educating book on the middle aged women's inevitable doom of Perimenopause. It was more science based, little story telling but was definitely helpful in learning about the symptoms and the body's chaotic changes through the whole process. It was a little long but overall, worth the read if you don't know much about the topic.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Perimenopause by Mary Claire Haver contains excellent information for women in the perimenopausal years. I feel fortunate to live at a time when we are finally researching women's health during perimenopause and menopause. In my opinion, Mary Claire Haver is leading the way in this developing field, and this information will help so many women work toward living their optimal lives during these years. Thank you, to Net Galley, Convergent and Rodale books for the ARC digital copy for review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so full of information it will make your head spin! As a 44 year old, this is the season of life I currently find myself in. It's nice to know that I'm not going crazy and that there is a scientific reason behind everything that is happening in my body. While the science goes kind of deep and can feel like a slog, it really is nice to have the knowledge behind the hormones in my body. I will definitely be recommending this to all the women in my life that are currently in perimenopause.