The M Word: How to Thrive in Menopause

In informative, scientific, and often humorous language, physician Mansberg (How to Handle Your Hormones) presents a frank discussion of a variety of menopause symptoms and the many choices women have to relieve them. Measured and professional, Mansberg sets the record straight on the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study that the media misinterpreted to say that hormone replacement treatment (HRT) caused breast cancer and which resulted in pharmaceutical companies abandoning menopause medication. Today, Mansberg notes, a reexamination of HRT reveals it as a viable treatment for some women. Mansberg passionately urges women to reject unproven treatments, such as detoxing, and to empower themselves through self-education on how the body changes during menopause. She also discusses the function of estrogen and progesterone; lifestyle changes that can reduce hot flashes; vaginal dryness and libido; incontinence; and the link between hormones and mood. Anecdotes from patients and friends provide real-life examples with appropriate treatment options. Perimenopausal and menopausal women, as well as health-care professionals, will appreciate the wealth of evidence, advice, and topics covered in Mansberg’s candid guide. (Apr.)