Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife: A Woman's Guide to Health in the Body You Actually Have

by Mikala Albertson

As you've approached midlife, have you Is this . . . it? I thought it would get easier. I thought I'd have more figured out by now. Something is wrong, and I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's my thyroid? Drawing from eighteen years of medical practice and personal experience, Dr. Mikala Albertson addresses the universal struggles that women face while navigating health and healing in this new stage of life, exploring topics such as· current medical best practices for wellness and well-being · understanding perimenopause, hormones, mood disorders, body image, and more· balancing co-occurring stressors such as relationship troubles, caregiver expectations, and shifting motherhood roles· finding support, purpose, and healing in this difficult part of lifeYou may be weary, but there are steps you can take toward health and healing while discovering along the way that there is beauty here too.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Teresa Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I’m two decades beyond the author and her intended audience, I enjoyed this book and benefited from the information and positive message. I particularly liked the author’s comments about healing.

[Bekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent overview on some midlife issues for women with an emphasis on body positivity. She writes like a blogger which makes sense because she is one. I’m not sure this is exactly what I wanted it to be - a little over emotional at times and over technical at times and the flip flopping felt disjointed rather than well-balanced to me.

[Amy Betters-Midtvedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikala is the doctor you wish you could see on a regular basis, the one who listens and understands and offers research based and helpful advice. And her book does just that. Through stories of real and relatable women, Mikala offers us hope and guidance during this time when it feels, frankly, like our bodies are going haywire! I devoured this on a first read and then referred to it time and again when I asked myself, "Wait, is this normal?" or "WHY do I feel like this?". Each time I read and learn and take heart and hope that I can indeed understand and love the body I actually have. If you are heading into or are deep into perimenopause or menopause this is the book you need on your night stand.

[Kimberly Yavorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife, A Woman’s Guide to Health in the Body you Actually Have, by Mikala Albertson, MD is the book all women need. Consider it the “What to Expect” book for those entering or in the midst of perimenopause.

In this informative and engaging book, Albertson shares information and anecdotes, many of them personal, that will help women better understand their bodies and feel less alone. A board-certified family practice doctor, she explains the medical and emotional changes many women will experience and talks about the importance of caring for not just the body, but also the mind and spirit. Helpful appendices at the end provide brief health screenings and reliable resources to help you learn even more about your own personal circumstances.

Reading this book is like sitting down and chatting with a good friend, one who has the knowledge and experience to provide sound advice. Albertson is quick to note that there is no quick fix or “one size fits all” treatment (in fact, one should be wary of such promises), but her matter-of-fact treatment of these very ordinary life events offers readers reassurance that even if it’s all a bit scary, you’re not alone.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited to add this to my knowledge of mid-life and all that it offers. Unfortunately, I quit reading at the beginning when the disclaimer by author stated that the book was for women born with the female chromosomes, but she "recognizes that not all people born with genetically female chromosomes identify as female." Author then encourages reader to consider trans and nonbinary individuals as part of larger group discussed. Also in disclaimer, author states that she is a upper-middle class, heterosexual woman and that gives her privilege.
I will be asking for a refund for this book as it is not Christian.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that focuses on whole person wellness. The author incorporates the latest medical research, but this is not a dry read! The tone is incredibly warm as she incorporates stories from her patients over her long medical career. That’s because we all share similar life threads in midlife! We are not only experiencing changes to our bodies, but also changes in our lives, like launching children and caring for elderly parents. This is a book to read through once but then to keep Handy for referencing again and again!

[Randi Latzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikala Albertson's book is a unique marriage of medical advice and confidant. She weaves her own experiences as a midlife woman and as a doctor to cover an extensive list of topics such as perimenopause and life stressors. This book is a wealth of knowledge expressed in a down-to-earth and honest way. If you are a woman in midlife, you want to get this book!

[Kelsey Scism · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midlife mom here and I LOVE this book. Dr. Albertson weaves together her clinical experience with her roles as wife, mom, daughter, friend to give us a real, authentic, and practical guide for navigating the changes in this phase of life. I recommend this book for anyone in or nearing the midlife years.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this, marked it with notes, saved it for referencing in the future, and recommended it to my fellow 40 & 50 something friends. It’s so wonderful to read a book about midlife from an author who understands and isn’t afraid to go into the things that have been swept under the rug for women for far too long.

[Lauren Delaney Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly the only book women need. In a world where we are overwhelmed, bombarded by messages that were not enough, and slammed with “wellness” remedies that will “cure” our problems for a fee, THIS is the book that tells the truth of what we actually need. Best of all, reading it felt like a warm hug or cozy blanket, while learning and healing.

[Meggan Erichsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF the audio book. The woman that read the book was very hard to listen to in my opinion. Her voice made it very distracting and hard to focus on the content of the book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book. Well written and informative.

[Angela Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me feel seen, that I'm on the right path to getting the answers I need, and to rethink some hard lessons that need to be unlearned.

[Anne Sjobeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is so important. There is such little content on mid-life. Super helpful information.