This memoir is about life, love, facing breast cancer with its challenges and change. Nancy begins this story with segments from her life that helped form her into the woman she is today.As a nurse practitioner with a specialty in menopause for the past 25 years, she knew she was about to face a tumultuous battle. Blindsided by the diagnosis of breast cancer, she had turned to her journal for guidance and calm. Hormone therapy had been a lifeline to her health and sanity for many years, but now she had to reconcile with the thought of letting go of her estrogen patch.As she gradually reduced the size of the patch while awaiting surgery, symptoms she had experienced years before crept back with a vengeance - hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, brain fog, irritability, mood swings. The incredible shifts overwhelmed her, she felt as if her life was falling apart. She could still help her patients, but unfortunately not help herself.Suddenly finding herself in a patient role, she knew she needed to speak up and to be heard. Thus began her process of research, seeking out and speaking with experts in the menopause field about hormones after breast cancer, daring to question medical professionals, and ultimately finding her voice. Finally, after doing her homework, journaling extensively and assuming personal responsibility for her future health, she returned to her beloved estrogen. It was not an easy path.

This memoir is about life, love, facing breast cancer with its challenges and change. Nancy begins this story with segments from her life that helped form her into the woman she is today. As a nurse practitioner with a specialty in menopause for the past 25 years, she knew she was about to face a tumultuous battle. Blindsided by the diagnosis of breast cancer, she had turned to her journal for guidance and calm. Hormone therapy had been a lifeline to her health and sanity for many years, but now she had to reconcile with the thought of letting go of her estrogen patch. As she gradually reduced the size of the patch while awaiting surgery, symptoms she had experienced years before crept back with a vengeance - hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, brain fog, irritability, mood swings. The incredible shifts overwhelmed her, she felt as if her life was falling apart. She could still help her patients, but unfortunately not help herself. Suddenly finding herself in a patient role, she knew she needed to speak up and to be heard. Thus began her process of research, seeking out and speaking with experts in the menopause field about hormones after breast cancer, daring to question medical professionals, and ultimately finding her voice. Finally, after doing her homework, journaling extensively and assuming personal responsibility for her future health, she returned to her beloved estrogen. It was not an easy path.

Arguing that giving estrogen replacement therapy to women after menopause is medically the wrong thing to do, Lee suggests that natural progesterone can prevent most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause, including osteoporosis and weight gain.

This new Concise Manual takes a straightforward look at menopause. What is it? When does it occur? What can be expected? How can it be managed? Dr Louise Newson is a well-known specialist in menopause and saw the need for a fact-based manual for women and their families. Menopause is a natural condition that affects all women at some stage of their life. At least one in four women have severe symptoms, which detrimentally affect their family, home and work life. This book will explain and clarify the stages and symptoms, and detail what treatments are safe and effective for particular needs. Migraines, depression, anxiety, osteoporosis, low libido, relationships, diet and HRT are just some of the areas covered in this new concise manual.

This open access handbook, the first of its kind, provides a comprehensive and carefully curated multidisciplinary and genre-spanning view of the state of the field of Critical Menstruation Studies, opening up new directions in research and advocacy. It is animated by the central question: ‘“what new lines of inquiry are possible when we center our attention on menstrual health and politics across the life course?” The chapters—diverse in content, form and perspective—establish Critical Menstruation Studies as a potent lens that reveals, complicates and unpacks inequalities across biological, social, cultural and historical dimensions. This handbook is an unmatched resource for researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and activists new to and already familiar with the field as it rapidly develops and expands.

A new and demographically significant generation of women as young as 35 is facing perimenopause and menopause – but not like our mothers or grandmothers did. We are hungry for information and keen to talk candidly about everything: sex, mental health, self-image, alcohol, how menopause affects our stressful working lives, relationships, fertility and families – and what we can do about it. Author Niki Bezzant has more than 20 years' experience writing and speaking about health and nutrition. In this book, she shares all the latest research and advice, giving readers real information they can use on everything from recognizing and understanding common symptoms like mood changes, weight gain, low libido, erratic and heavy periods, hot flushes and insomnia, to managing mental health, sexuality and relationships, exercise and nutrition tips. She explains which natural and medical treatments actually work and how to get the best help, with a healthy side-serve of humour, calling out sexism, snake-oil and bullshit along the way. This Changes Everything includes menopause stories from well-known NZ women including Robyn Malcolm, Carol Hirschfeld and Michele A'Court, plus real talk from hundreds of NZ women, based on the author’s wide-ranging online survey and expert information from menopause specialists and doctors, to answer the questions women most want answered. This is a must-have guide to perimenopause, menopause, midlife and beyond for every woman – the symptoms, the solutions and the stuff that really works. Topics covered include: What’s happening to me? When menopause happens early Hormones 101 HRT, MHT and other treatments Hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, migraines, memory and other physical symptoms Anxiety, panic attacks, self-image and other psychological symptoms Sex, libido and relationships Health after the menopause Diet and nutrition Exercise Sleep Bloating and gut health Lifestyle changes Menopause for men: a cheat sheet Taking back the power: a menopause action plan And much more.

*** #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *** 'Immensely helpful...a tome of medical knowledge. I'm mildly obsessed by Louise Newson. Buy the book!' Davina McCall 'What a brilliant, helpful and straight-forward guide to menopause. I wish I could have had it when I first had symptoms, it would have made a huge difference to me' Louise Minchin 'This book is indispensable. Keep it by your bedside. It will transform your life. Dr Louise is a miracle worker' Lorraine Kelly Take charge of your menopause and feel great Dr Louise Newson is the UK's leading menopause specialist, and she's determined to help women thrive during the menopause. Despite being something that almost every woman will experience at some point in their lives, misdiagnosis, misinformation and stigma are commonplace. In Preparing for the Perimenopause and Menopause, Dr Newson will demystify the menopause and show why every woman should be perimenopause aware, regardless of their age. Drawing on new research and empowering patient stories from a diverse range of women who have struggled to secure adequate treatment and correct diagnosis, Dr Newson will equip you with expert advice on: · Common and 'taboo' symptoms to look out for · HRT treatment options · Going through an early menopause · Getting a good night sleep · Optimising your nutrition in the menopause · Exercising for a better menopause · Your mental health during the menopause Dr Newson empowers women to confidently take charge of their health and their changing bodies. It's never too early to learn about the perimenopause or menopause and this essential book will equip you with everything you need to know. ******* Dr Louise Newson is donating 10% of all royalties she receives for the book to The Menopause Charity. Part of the Penguin Life Experts series.