Living Well with Menopause: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need To Know (Living Well (Collins))

"For thirty years, board-certified holistic practitioner, master's-prepared nurse, and doctorally prepared educator Carolyn Chambers Clark has been helping women navigate the challenges of menopause. Now she can help you with her breakthrough guide that addresses the full range of medical, alternative, and complementary self-care strategies, with easy-to-follow guidelines for avoiding the pitfalls of: *Hot flashes *Fuzzy thinking *Skin, hair, and bladder changes *Weight gain *Joint and muscle pain *Fatigue *Decreased sex drive *Emotional ups and downs *Insomnia Having been through this natural process herself, and having counseled countless other menopausal women, Clark is a compassionate voice clearly addressing the risks and possible benefits of hormone therapies, offering easy-to-understand advice, and providing the most comprehensive menopause program available." (description from publisher's newsletter)

Carolyn Chambers Clark has written a MUST HAVE book for women of all ages who want to be in control of their own health, particularly during the life-changing time of menopause. Even young women would benefit from a copy, should they face the possibility of instant menopause due to a complete hysterectomy. My copy of the book is full of highlighted passages I'll need to refer to again. Highly recommended.

I think this is a terrific book for a number of reasons. 1) The "new" info that HRT is dangerous for us. This may be a case of the pendulum swinging far one way and it'll swing back in a few years and "they'll" say HRT isn't dangerous, but it's nice to have options - that we women can control - either way. 2) I'm only on the verge of menopause so I don't have experience, but it's my understanding that even HRT doesn't prevent all menopausal symptoms. So even if you're using HRT, Dr. Clark provides numerous ways to live more comfortably with hot flashes, lowered libido, weight gain, depression, mood swings and so on. 3) I like that Dr. Clark approaches menopause as a natural part of women's lives, as opposed to a disease or abnormality. It may be an uncomfortable and sometimes trying part of our lives, but it's not something we need to get well from, we just need to live through it and Dr. Clark offers a variety of tools to do so more comfortably, happily and sanely. And they are not costly tools. They may require behavioral changes that will be difficult for some of us, but they are within our reach. (Truth be told, I'm so lazy, if there were a safe pill that also would alleviate symptoms, I'd probably take it. But I'd rather do the work to change my habits than take something that might increase my chances of cancer or other serious illnesses or conditions.) The thing that hit me the hardest, though, is how true it is that doctors don't tell you all you need to know. I've even had doctors "argue" that my symptoms don't indicate pre- or peri-menopause because they are "normal" in some women, even though they are significant changes in the way my body functions. (I've since had blood work show that my suspicions were more founded than their assertions.) I also think young women should read this book to find out how lifestyle choices they make in their 20's and early 30's can affect their menopause experience down the line. They're liable to forget or ignore much of what they read, as we all think we're invincible when we're in our 20's. But if even one or two nuggets of helpful information stick, they'll be better off, later. I think every woman, whether choosing HRT or not, should read this book to see the ways she can shape and gain some control over her menopause experience and also learn that it's not just her and it's not just in her head.

There are plenty of books out there on menopause. Dr. Clark's book is the only one that focuses on self-care measures---what menopausal women can do to feel better, look better, and feel more alive during this challenging period in their lives. Not only that, 99% of the tips are safe and they work because they're based on research findings! Dr. Clark doesn't leave out traditional medical approaches such as the pros and cons of taking hormones, but the book goes farther than that. She discusses menopause as a process, one that can be very positive if you take her advice. I also like that not only has she counseled thousands of women struggling with menopause issues, but she's been through it herself---she understands what we're going through! She tackles so many menopause scenarios---weight gain, decreased sex drive, hot flashes, fatigue, fuzzy thinking, joint and muscle pain, emotional ups and downs, insomnia, and skin, hair and bladder changes. For each of these changes, she provides the ways readers can use specific approaches (foods, supplements, herbs, environmental changes, exercise and better communication.) Another aspect of the book I like is a section called, "Creating Your Menopause Plan." In it, she tells you how to develop your Menopause Wellness Profile, how to identify the changes and supports you have in your life, how to find and work with a health care practitioner who supports you, and how to develop your Personal Menopause Plan. The book also has a resource section of web sites, books, newsletters, forums, sources of updated information, and more that I found very helpful. Top notch!

This book should be helpful to any women who are experiencing problems with menopause. Clark, who comes to us with an impressive background, including several book of the year awards, has written a handy, easy to use volume. The book is extremely well indexed - good thing, as it's bursting with tidbits of wisdom and help. She addresses nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and gives helps on relationships and herbal remedies. At the end of the book is advice on creating your own Menopause Plan. One caveat is a bias, perceived by the reviewer (but maybe not by every reader), against conventional medical treatment and the options offered. If conventional medicine has failed you, pick up a copy and see what else is available for assistance in negotiating this time of life with minimal discomfort. The reviewer has not personally found her doctors to be as unhelpful as those quoted in Clark's anecdotes. But she also has not found any help in HRT and had to turn to alternative methods to deal with some of the complications of menopause. Clark gives us a wealth of good information as she defines the stages women go through as they age, gives helpful advice on the physical discomfort and emotional distress that can be associated with this time of life.