The Hot Topic: A Life-Changing Look at the Change of Life

Journalist D’Souza provides a firsthand account, crowdsourced opinion, and the latest in scientific and anthropological study in order to demystify the taboo of menopause, suggesting it be viewed as a “natural part of the aging process” rather than “a disease.” She reports her own symptoms humorously—“Overnight, apparently, I’d grown back fat”—as well as her struggle to wade through conflicting medical opinions regarding the use of hormones. She provides some illuminating information on the rise of “bio-identical” organic hormones as an alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy. Her friends candidly describe their emotional outbursts, infidelities, and feelings about changes in their appearance. D’Souza visits a convent with a brilliant young biotech entrepreneur to discuss hot flashes with nuns and travels to Tanzania to explore a theory suggesting that older women may be the linchpin of human evolution. There has been progress regarding the stigma, she writes, wryly noting the Victorian tradition of simply “chucking [menopausal] women in asylums.” As a light at the end of the tunnel, D’Souza relates recent studies indicating the potential for a menopause “cure.” Despite her best intentions, this depiction of menopause is pretty bleak, but D’Souza’s sense of humor takes the edge off. This is an accessible guide for the wine-drinking, snarky woman of a certain age. (Dec.)