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Estrogen's Storm Season: Stories of Perimenopause
Prior, Jerilynn
Paperback
Published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2023
Oh, Dr. Prior. It started so so strong and then... crashed and burned.
The first few chapters of this book are fantastic. The book is written for cisgender women, so everything in it assumes a uterus = woman. That aside, the research Dr. Prior has done around perimenopause is so important and the opening chapters are packed with crucial information about the perimenopause journey and what's actually happening during that time (while taking down many of the cultural myths and much of the misinformation that surrounds perimenopause).
Where it all goes wrong is with the character of Darlene. Dr. Prior explains in the opening of the book that the women we follow through the story are a compilation of the many hundreds of women she has treated over the years. In other words, the various aspects of each of the women whose stories we learn as a way to deepen our knowledge of perimenopause are CHOICES that the author made in order to communicate more information.
The anti-fat bias Dr. Prior displays is disappointing and heartbreaking. Not only is Darlene the only character in a larger body, but Dr. Prior paints her as rude, closed off, resistant to learning, lazy, tragic, and every other possible fat-as-villain trope you can imagine.
Beyond that, the way the doctor behaves towards Darlene and her inner dialog about Darlene are absolutely unacceptable. It's clear that Dr. Prior has a deep disdain for people in larger bodies and sees them as inherently noncompliant, combative, and pathetic.
Until I reached Darlene's chapter, I was ready to share this book widely as a resource. But considering the way Darlene was portrayed, treated, and ultimately painted as the only "failure" of the group in the end, I just cannot recommend this book in good conscience because of the anti-fat bias and rude treatment of this patient.
The first few chapters of this book are fantastic. The book is written for cisgender women, so everything in it assumes a uterus = woman. That aside, the research Dr. Prior has done around perimenopause is so important and the opening chapters are packed with crucial information about the perimenopause journey and what's actually happening during that time (while taking down many of the cultural myths and much of the misinformation that surrounds perimenopause).
Where it all goes wrong is with the character of Darlene. Dr. Prior explains in the opening of the book that the women we follow through the story are a compilation of the many hundreds of women she has treated over the years. In other words, the various aspects of each of the women whose stories we learn as a way to deepen our knowledge of perimenopause are CHOICES that the author made in order to communicate more information.
The anti-fat bias Dr. Prior displays is disappointing and heartbreaking. Not only is Darlene the only character in a larger body, but Dr. Prior paints her as rude, closed off, resistant to learning, lazy, tragic, and every other possible fat-as-villain trope you can imagine.
Beyond that, the way the doctor behaves towards Darlene and her inner dialog about Darlene are absolutely unacceptable. It's clear that Dr. Prior has a deep disdain for people in larger bodies and sees them as inherently noncompliant, combative, and pathetic.
Until I reached Darlene's chapter, I was ready to share this book widely as a resource. But considering the way Darlene was portrayed, treated, and ultimately painted as the only "failure" of the group in the end, I just cannot recommend this book in good conscience because of the anti-fat bias and rude treatment of this patient.
February 14, 2020
The information in this book was invaluable! I am so impressed with the attention this Australian doctor has given to actual hormone levels at different times in women's lives. In America, the generic catch-all cure for menopause symptoms is estrogen supplements and estrogen-mimicking herbal remedies. This is all great if you have been period free for over a year, but if you are in the throes of hideous perimenopause, it is the exact opposite of what you need. People in perimenopause have TOO MUCH estrogen, and these treatments make everything worse!
The reason why I only gave it a 3-star rating is because the author made the "failure" patient, the fat, overworked, surly nurse with heavy periods. (Every chapter featured a different "patient" with a different set of problems and how the doctor helped the person overcome them.) I AM A FAT, OVERWORKED SURLY NURSE WITH HEAVY PERIODS! I needed this chapter, and all I got was a patronizing look at a person who refused to take medications as ordered or keep diaries as ordered, and who drank and smoked. The book ended with a "poor Darlene" account of how she wound up having to have a hysterectomy. I would have liked to know what happens to the same person who actually followed directions and neither drank nor smoked ever.
Luckily I have a wonderful DO who immediately prescribed me daily high dose progesterone in the hope of trying to keep me from having any invasive procedures. I just have to be patient and see if they work for me.
Overall, the book is a godsend and everyone in their mid-40's should read it. Just wish there would have been more in it for me.
The reason why I only gave it a 3-star rating is because the author made the "failure" patient, the fat, overworked, surly nurse with heavy periods. (Every chapter featured a different "patient" with a different set of problems and how the doctor helped the person overcome them.) I AM A FAT, OVERWORKED SURLY NURSE WITH HEAVY PERIODS! I needed this chapter, and all I got was a patronizing look at a person who refused to take medications as ordered or keep diaries as ordered, and who drank and smoked. The book ended with a "poor Darlene" account of how she wound up having to have a hysterectomy. I would have liked to know what happens to the same person who actually followed directions and neither drank nor smoked ever.
Luckily I have a wonderful DO who immediately prescribed me daily high dose progesterone in the hope of trying to keep me from having any invasive procedures. I just have to be patient and see if they work for me.
Overall, the book is a godsend and everyone in their mid-40's should read it. Just wish there would have been more in it for me.
February 4, 2021
Weird premise (the fake fictional doctor and patients), sometimes way too much detail, but some interested food for thought about perimenopause. Just would have been better as straight non-fiction.
April 7, 2021
Great information, bit of a weird format - but it was easy to read.
December 5, 2021
First of all, this is a very interesting book and you can learn a lot from it!
Also, it shows that still there’s too little research and knowledge about women in perimenopause. Women themselves aren’t educated enough (because it’s really hard to find the right information and break through old myths) but moreover doctors aren’t educated enough as well! Still too many women get treated with estrogen when high estrogen levels are actually their problem! still too many women end up getting surgery (hysterectomy for example) when there might be alternatives worth trying. Still too many women have to suffer through their perimenopausal years because doctors don’t take them seriously or interpret the symptoms in a wrong way (for example: telling them they are not perimenopausal yet).
The format of the book needs some time getting used to because it’s written in an almost fictional style.
It makes it rather hard to look things up at a later point. For that I highly recommend the two books from Lara Briden (who bases a lot of her knowledge on Dr. Prior’s research). But I learnt to appreciate Dr. Prior’s way of spreading knowledge. Because she is telling individual stories from a rather diverse group op women, it makes it very relatable.
Highly recommend for every woman, no matter the age because sooner or later you will be confronted with perimenopause and menopause anyways. Better be prepared ;-)
Also, it shows that still there’s too little research and knowledge about women in perimenopause. Women themselves aren’t educated enough (because it’s really hard to find the right information and break through old myths) but moreover doctors aren’t educated enough as well! Still too many women get treated with estrogen when high estrogen levels are actually their problem! still too many women end up getting surgery (hysterectomy for example) when there might be alternatives worth trying. Still too many women have to suffer through their perimenopausal years because doctors don’t take them seriously or interpret the symptoms in a wrong way (for example: telling them they are not perimenopausal yet).
The format of the book needs some time getting used to because it’s written in an almost fictional style.
It makes it rather hard to look things up at a later point. For that I highly recommend the two books from Lara Briden (who bases a lot of her knowledge on Dr. Prior’s research). But I learnt to appreciate Dr. Prior’s way of spreading knowledge. Because she is telling individual stories from a rather diverse group op women, it makes it very relatable.
Highly recommend for every woman, no matter the age because sooner or later you will be confronted with perimenopause and menopause anyways. Better be prepared ;-)
January 25, 2026
brilliant book
It’s a very good book with so much wisdom and teaching for all woman struggling with different perimenopause symptoms.
I learned so much and started already to apply all the good advices to pass through this difficult phase of my life
It’s a very good book with so much wisdom and teaching for all woman struggling with different perimenopause symptoms.
I learned so much and started already to apply all the good advices to pass through this difficult phase of my life
September 19, 2012
Interesting perimenopause stories from her patients. Lots of information given throughout.
August 22, 2013
Lots of good (albeit controversial) info. However at times it read like an ad for funding for her foundation &/or advertising for her web site. Still lots of info I will approach my dr about
December 31, 2020
Good info...rough read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews