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Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy
A practical guide to aging and health for women who have felt ignored or marginalized by the medical profession, from a leading Ob/Gyn and expert on menopausal and post-reproductive health
The medical system today is increasingly complicated and impersonal, and unfortunately, it is not going to be less so in the future. The rules of engagement have changed in medicine, but no one has bothered to inform patients. Much is written about Black women and women of color, be it our increased cancer risk, our alarming obesity statistics, or our disproportionate risk of cardiovascular diseases, but very little is written for us, and a diagnosis from Dr. Internet doesn’t cut it. Talk about being sick? Dr. Sharon Malone is sick of that.
Grown Woman Talk is for all women who have often not been seen or heard. For more than three decades as a practicing Ob/Gyn in the nation’s capital and now as chief medical officer of Alloy Women’s Health, Dr. Malone has served women across the city all the way to the upper echelons of power. In this book, she gives us the nudge we all need to become effective and efficient advocates in getting the care we deserve. Part medical memoir of the Malone family experience tracing from the Jim Crow South to the highest corridors of power in Washington, part relatable clinical scenarios of women from all walks of life and experiences, and part practical medical and logistical advice, this book is a reliable and easy-to-understand resource. In addition to information on ailments like fibroids, cancer, heart disease, and perimenopause, it also helps us navigate the medical establishment of today with advice on how to choose a doctor, why our family’s health history matters, and how to decide among treatments. Combining emerging practices with the latest research the book addresses many women’s greatest gap, the one between what they believe and what is actually true.
With a combination of medical expertise, up-to-date science, and lived experience, Grown Woman Talk addresses the most common conditions women over forty deal with. And it helps women, especially Black women, identify the power they have and how to use it to chart a path to improve their health outcomes and thrive.
The medical system today is increasingly complicated and impersonal, and unfortunately, it is not going to be less so in the future. The rules of engagement have changed in medicine, but no one has bothered to inform patients. Much is written about Black women and women of color, be it our increased cancer risk, our alarming obesity statistics, or our disproportionate risk of cardiovascular diseases, but very little is written for us, and a diagnosis from Dr. Internet doesn’t cut it. Talk about being sick? Dr. Sharon Malone is sick of that.
Grown Woman Talk is for all women who have often not been seen or heard. For more than three decades as a practicing Ob/Gyn in the nation’s capital and now as chief medical officer of Alloy Women’s Health, Dr. Malone has served women across the city all the way to the upper echelons of power. In this book, she gives us the nudge we all need to become effective and efficient advocates in getting the care we deserve. Part medical memoir of the Malone family experience tracing from the Jim Crow South to the highest corridors of power in Washington, part relatable clinical scenarios of women from all walks of life and experiences, and part practical medical and logistical advice, this book is a reliable and easy-to-understand resource. In addition to information on ailments like fibroids, cancer, heart disease, and perimenopause, it also helps us navigate the medical establishment of today with advice on how to choose a doctor, why our family’s health history matters, and how to decide among treatments. Combining emerging practices with the latest research the book addresses many women’s greatest gap, the one between what they believe and what is actually true.
With a combination of medical expertise, up-to-date science, and lived experience, Grown Woman Talk addresses the most common conditions women over forty deal with. And it helps women, especially Black women, identify the power they have and how to use it to chart a path to improve their health outcomes and thrive.
Audiobook
Published April 9, 2024
140 people are currently reading
9696 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Malone
2 books60 followersSharon Malone, M.D., is a board-certified OB/GYN and a certified menopause practitioner who has practiced medicine in the nation’s capital for more than thirty years. She is the chief medical officer of Alloy Women’s Health and a passionate advocate for improved research and education around women’s health in midlife. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Eric Holder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
June 6, 2024
Thank you, Crown Publishing, for the gifted book. I also purchased a copy of the audio, for a read/listen, and it was money well spent.
Dr. Sharon Malone’s Grown Woman Talk is written for all women, with a special focus on women of color. The foreword is by Michelle Obama, a dear friend of Dr. Malone’s. It’s no secret my reading has been focused heavily on women and aging these last several months, and I still feel like this book added something new.
Dr. Malone is clear on research versus opinion, and keeps her recommendations based on what is supported by research. I appreciated her discussion of hormone replacement therapy and how she truly dug back through the history and where things went so incredibly off course, and what the research shows now, more than twenty years after that study. She was also candid about what she does for her own care, and given her knowledge and own family history, it speaks volumes.
The audiobook was extremely conversational, accessible, and down to earth. Dr. Malone has a podcast, and I’d love to give it a regular listen. In Grown Woman Talk, she gives practical guidance on many topics affecting aging women, again, supported by research, from routine care and screenings to organizing your medical directives, and I especially appreciated her talk of women’s healthcare agency- and empowering our ability to drive our own medical care.
I’m extremely grateful I read it and highly recommend it to all.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.Jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Dr. Sharon Malone’s Grown Woman Talk is written for all women, with a special focus on women of color. The foreword is by Michelle Obama, a dear friend of Dr. Malone’s. It’s no secret my reading has been focused heavily on women and aging these last several months, and I still feel like this book added something new.
Dr. Malone is clear on research versus opinion, and keeps her recommendations based on what is supported by research. I appreciated her discussion of hormone replacement therapy and how she truly dug back through the history and where things went so incredibly off course, and what the research shows now, more than twenty years after that study. She was also candid about what she does for her own care, and given her knowledge and own family history, it speaks volumes.
The audiobook was extremely conversational, accessible, and down to earth. Dr. Malone has a podcast, and I’d love to give it a regular listen. In Grown Woman Talk, she gives practical guidance on many topics affecting aging women, again, supported by research, from routine care and screenings to organizing your medical directives, and I especially appreciated her talk of women’s healthcare agency- and empowering our ability to drive our own medical care.
I’m extremely grateful I read it and highly recommend it to all.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.Jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 17, 2024
Grown Woman Talk is a remarkable book full of stories and a wealth of indispensable information. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I’m a white, cis-gendered male, so it has to be allowed that I’m not exactly the book’s intended audience – but that’s misleading! I heard Dr. Malone give a lecture about perimenopause some time back, and I felt seen by the talk because my partner falls right into the target age. Suffice it to say I learned a lot that I needed to take to heart, and the lecture led to some very important conversations.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Dr. Malone’s book ever since. And in happily gobbling it up, I was struck by how much of it was simply good health advice – for anyone. The book has taught me a great deal, and honestly how could knowing more about women’s health do anything other than make me a better man, a better source of knowledge for my partner’s ten-year-old daughter, and a better romantic partner? The book is doing me immeasurable good – and I heartily recommend it as a gift for men who may not know that they need to know what’s presented here!
Dr. Malone is a wholly charming author, as well. The book strikes a perfect balance between a conversational tone, and the deft juggling act that is required to convey complicated medical concepts with precise terminology. Grown Woman Talk is like sitting down with your favorite doctor who is simultaneously going to tell you what you absolutely need to hear in a no-nonsense way, and express the humanity and empathy that denotes a true personal relationship.
This book is a smorgasbord of essential knowledge, delivered in a warm and accessible way. Bravo!
I’m a white, cis-gendered male, so it has to be allowed that I’m not exactly the book’s intended audience – but that’s misleading! I heard Dr. Malone give a lecture about perimenopause some time back, and I felt seen by the talk because my partner falls right into the target age. Suffice it to say I learned a lot that I needed to take to heart, and the lecture led to some very important conversations.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Dr. Malone’s book ever since. And in happily gobbling it up, I was struck by how much of it was simply good health advice – for anyone. The book has taught me a great deal, and honestly how could knowing more about women’s health do anything other than make me a better man, a better source of knowledge for my partner’s ten-year-old daughter, and a better romantic partner? The book is doing me immeasurable good – and I heartily recommend it as a gift for men who may not know that they need to know what’s presented here!
Dr. Malone is a wholly charming author, as well. The book strikes a perfect balance between a conversational tone, and the deft juggling act that is required to convey complicated medical concepts with precise terminology. Grown Woman Talk is like sitting down with your favorite doctor who is simultaneously going to tell you what you absolutely need to hear in a no-nonsense way, and express the humanity and empathy that denotes a true personal relationship.
This book is a smorgasbord of essential knowledge, delivered in a warm and accessible way. Bravo!
July 10, 2024
Wish she’d written this 10 yrs ago but still a very worthy read for those of us of a certain age. While primarily aimed at Black women it has much valuable info for all. While Dr Malone was not my primary OB/gyn she was the attending the night I delivered Will!
May 2, 2024
Don’t let the Goodreads description discourage you. This book is very empowering. Very easy read. She has some very weird writing quirks (song titles in the text, asides that are meant to be humorous but seem a bit anxious and self-deprecating, the Sharon Rx Summaries) and the book’s introduction doesn’t set up what the book is really about. She’s the doctor of a dear friend’s BFF so I hung in there. Glad I did. Straight talk, breezy style, easy read with so so much wisdom. Basically it’s promoting having agency over your health and aging, and gave information that I’ve never encountered before in an easy to understand way —- and on topics that are often overlooked or we keep
quiet about. Best advice and information on friendships, menopause and perimenopause I’ve ever read. Highly recommend.
quiet about. Best advice and information on friendships, menopause and perimenopause I’ve ever read. Highly recommend.
April 24, 2024
My introduction to Malone unfolded through the airwaves of Michelle Obama's podcast. She graced an episode as one of her esteemed guests, revealing herself as a fixture within the former First Lady's inner circle. With a demeanor echoing Michelle's forthrightness, unpretentious charm, and infectious wit, Malone left an indelible impression.
This book is a treasure trove of knowledge, serving as a beacon for navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the American health system. Delving deeper, Malone's narrative deftly addressed the spectrum of ailments that often besiege women, empowering readers to become advocates for their own well-being.
This tome is not just a book; it's a lifeline, a roadmap, a rallying cry for women everywhere. Every page resonates with a clarion call to action, urging us to seize control of our health destinies. To any woman seeking enlightenment and empowerment, I implore you: read this book. It's not merely a suggestion; it's a necessity.
This book is a treasure trove of knowledge, serving as a beacon for navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the American health system. Delving deeper, Malone's narrative deftly addressed the spectrum of ailments that often besiege women, empowering readers to become advocates for their own well-being.
This tome is not just a book; it's a lifeline, a roadmap, a rallying cry for women everywhere. Every page resonates with a clarion call to action, urging us to seize control of our health destinies. To any woman seeking enlightenment and empowerment, I implore you: read this book. It's not merely a suggestion; it's a necessity.
May 21, 2024
Excellent book for women of all ages. We need to be informed to increase our health span. An easy and I for read.
April 16, 2024
Finally, someone (an experienced doctor) is sharing this information! As many women my age have discussed amongst ourselves, why isn't all this common knowledge and freely shared between physicians and patients, between mothers and daughters, in the world in general? Thank you, Dr Sharon for honest truth telling about things every woman should know.
April 30, 2024
I learned a lot by reading this book, especially in being a health advocate for myself.
September 20, 2024
I loved that she tackles the message of being your own advocate when it comes to your health and dealing with your doctor. I have gone down that rabbit hole a few years ago and I feel I have become just that. My doctor and I butt heads a lot but we have found common ground.
This is a message that needs to be in the hands of everyone and it is sad that our healthcare system has come to this and made this necessary. I thought the author covered that ground thoroughly.
I'd recommend book to anyone who is just hearing of this. So 3 stars.
This is a message that needs to be in the hands of everyone and it is sad that our healthcare system has come to this and made this necessary. I thought the author covered that ground thoroughly.
I'd recommend book to anyone who is just hearing of this. So 3 stars.
May 1, 2024
A must read for women who care about their health, particularly women of color. The author is like the doctor/sistah/friend you need in your life.
The author is a well-respected OB/GYN who is an expert on women's health issues, including aging, menopause, and post-reproductive health. Dr. Malone shares anecdotes from her own family history as well as from patients to illustrate the importance of prioritizing your health care (another form of self-care).
If you're a woman overwhelmed by health care options and decisions or a caregiver for a woman in this situation, this is the book for you.
The author is a well-respected OB/GYN who is an expert on women's health issues, including aging, menopause, and post-reproductive health. Dr. Malone shares anecdotes from her own family history as well as from patients to illustrate the importance of prioritizing your health care (another form of self-care).
If you're a woman overwhelmed by health care options and decisions or a caregiver for a woman in this situation, this is the book for you.
July 9, 2024
This is a great read to understand the gender and race disparity in healthcare. Dr Sharon Malone offers an insight guide on navigating life as we age.
She puts value life lessons that we've all heard before in perspective and emphasizes their importance, to the point it makes you want to be more actionable and proactive.
My one grievance with this book was her stance on birth control pills. I wished she would've gone more into the harm it can do to your body and have readers make their own decisions regarding it rather than just providing information on its benefits.
She puts value life lessons that we've all heard before in perspective and emphasizes their importance, to the point it makes you want to be more actionable and proactive.
My one grievance with this book was her stance on birth control pills. I wished she would've gone more into the harm it can do to your body and have readers make their own decisions regarding it rather than just providing information on its benefits.
June 10, 2024
Fantastic book covering all aspects of women's health. It's an extremely informative read, especially for women approaching or in middle age. The author has a very conversational tone to her writing, which makes things very accessible. And there are loads of tips and resources provided. Plus, she created a playlist for each chapter!
July 6, 2024
3.5 stars from me
I heard the author on NPR and thought this sounded interesting. Most of it is common sense: eat a healthy diet full of whole grains and veggies, exercise, don't smoke, wear sunscreen, etc. What I did appreciate was her advice on advocating for yourself with ANY doctor. Speak up if you don't understand something, speak up when something doesn't feel right, SPEAK UP and take charge of your health. Very good advice.
I also learned a lot more about how women of color have been dismissed by the medical community, which is something I sort of already knew. I also didn't realize that these same women didn't really discuss things among themselves, generation to generation, and so many women have suffered needlessly because they literally didn't know what sort of family history existed, what symptoms to look for, and what sort of medical interventions to seek. THAT needs to change.
I heard the author on NPR and thought this sounded interesting. Most of it is common sense: eat a healthy diet full of whole grains and veggies, exercise, don't smoke, wear sunscreen, etc. What I did appreciate was her advice on advocating for yourself with ANY doctor. Speak up if you don't understand something, speak up when something doesn't feel right, SPEAK UP and take charge of your health. Very good advice.
I also learned a lot more about how women of color have been dismissed by the medical community, which is something I sort of already knew. I also didn't realize that these same women didn't really discuss things among themselves, generation to generation, and so many women have suffered needlessly because they literally didn't know what sort of family history existed, what symptoms to look for, and what sort of medical interventions to seek. THAT needs to change.
October 26, 2025
Bookclub—shoulda seen me freeze when my younger boss asked me what book my friends were meeting to gab about…. Felt safer saying it was witchy coven themed. ¯\_(ツ)_/ anyways, this takes shape as advice for someone whose never been given advice navigating our medical systems for women. I was surprised how much I learnt from earlier chapters abt what I wasn’t doing to track and manage my own healthcare. I made some notes (which I’ve since lost). And then I skipped a few chapters bc hysterectomy, so weirdly the most applicable for everyone else at bookclub was skipped and jumped through by me.
May 10, 2024
What a wonderful guide to health and end of life planning especially to women and women of color. I wish I learned this earlier, but better now than later.
I will referring to some passages again and again.
Thank you Dr. Sharon!
I will referring to some passages again and again.
Thank you Dr. Sharon!
August 6, 2024
A must read for all women; specifically black and brown women. It's an adult version of Judy Blum's book, Are You There God, It's Me Margaret. Dr. Malone puts it all out there regarding the things, mainly women in families, don't tend to talk about. I do see some possible changes in how my generation are a little more open and willing to share with friends. There is still so much more work/ research that needs to be done in this area of women's health.
June 9, 2024
If you are 35 years old you need this information. Don’t wait until you are over sixty. Share with everyone you know!!!
June 9, 2024
3.5 stars. I appreciated the perimenopause info especially. It is so frustrating how under researched women and especially women of color are in medicine. Didn’t love the letter format, but I imagine she used it to make it more accessible and conversational.
July 27, 2024
Highly recommend/must read if you’re approaching/in perimenopause. Some of the beginning material was very familiar as I deal with chronic health issues but she’s brilliant at tips for managing your healthcare. So important! While I listened to the audiobook, this is one you may want in hard copy to refer to as needed. Armed with all the new information, I have a lot of questions for my next gynecologist appointment.
August 15, 2024
This book was written with Black women in their 50s in mind; as a Latina in my 40s I gained a lot from reading this. It covered health issues and topics central to women's health that are often misunderstood or ignored. As a healthcare worker, I appreciate the insight into the unique needs of Black women. The writing style was a little cringe but the overall sentiment was encouraging.
October 2, 2024
Excellent resource and enjoyable to read.
May 27, 2025
A solid book to add to my growing awareness of what it means to take care of business as I age. I love her directness and her unique take on a health advice book.
May 18, 2024
Please, women, read this book! Even if you do not agree with every opinion shared in this book, it’s a vital & comprehensive read! I’ve never found, in one place, such a wonderful resource for understanding my medical family history, how to advocate for myself (& other family members) & how to navigate medical conditions that might or that will definitely affect me (all women). I’ve already recommended this to many women in my life & I hope others will also. We’ve got to look out for our sisters, aunties, mothers, girlfriends & grandmothers!
May 16, 2024
What a fun book to read about very un-funny topics on women’s health and the different hormonal changes that they experience. This book did focus on the disparities on black women in these various stages of health in the aging process, but was quite relatable to all women, no matter each one’s background. I learned so much and feel so equipped to take control of my health as I venture into my future. My best life is ahead of me!
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January 20, 2025Some helpful info here. Helped me to appreciate my access to well informed healthcare professionals.
May 10, 2024
This is the doctor we all wish we had! If you’re approaching middle age, this book is a good foundation for the transition. It’s geared towards women of color, but helpful to all. The writing style is appealing & fun in spite of it being a book on health & medicine.
May 3, 2024
A book for all women from puberty through menopause (to end of life). Highly recommend. Written in a conversational style backed up with thoughtful anecdotes and studies. Focus on all women but especially women of color.
April 24, 2024
This book is a must read for anyone over 40 and maybe even younger. I will give it to my daughter to read (she is 27).
It is funny and practical; makes serious subjects readable and enjoyable. I laughed out loud on several occasions. Not an easy feat to laugh about gynecological subjects!
I bought the audiobook and will now buy either the Kindle version or the book itself since there are so many wonderful checklists (I’m a BIG fan of checklists) that I plan to use to get a handle on my healthcare AND estate planning. I plan to follow Dr. Sharon’s advice and “my own primary care physician.” Given some of my own personal challenges over the past year, this. Ok could not have come at a better time.
I absolutely loved the combination of Dr. Sharon’s professional knowledge, personal life sharing and Caroline Clarke’s (the ghostwriter) wordsmithing. I could hear the wonderful synergy between the two women in every page!
Five stars all around. Have already recommended it to all of my women friends.
It is funny and practical; makes serious subjects readable and enjoyable. I laughed out loud on several occasions. Not an easy feat to laugh about gynecological subjects!
I bought the audiobook and will now buy either the Kindle version or the book itself since there are so many wonderful checklists (I’m a BIG fan of checklists) that I plan to use to get a handle on my healthcare AND estate planning. I plan to follow Dr. Sharon’s advice and “my own primary care physician.” Given some of my own personal challenges over the past year, this. Ok could not have come at a better time.
I absolutely loved the combination of Dr. Sharon’s professional knowledge, personal life sharing and Caroline Clarke’s (the ghostwriter) wordsmithing. I could hear the wonderful synergy between the two women in every page!
Five stars all around. Have already recommended it to all of my women friends.
August 10, 2024
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Although I'm still a teen, I wanted to try out this book to learn more about our bodies, especially since I want to be healthy when I'm 50. I'm still trying to find the motivation to read the whole book, but I got lazy. I know that I should learn this, but I'm still a teenager, and repetitive phrases make me sleepy, especially when they start to show up on several pages. I'm thankful that Sharon wrote the main advice at the end of each chapter to help you thrive as a woman. She puts in a lot of detail and care, as if she's right in front of us, having a chat. I noticed in several pages: DON'T SMOKE, SLEEP, and EXERCISE for your body to be happy. For those who are overwhelmed with the thought of menopause and health concerns, this book is perfect for you. So, I'll rate this 4/5 stars. Maybe someday, I'll go back and properly read the whole book. Enjoy reading!
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July 12, 2024
I didn't find anything useful until over 100 pages in, but then it was important. I'm only 37, but figured it wouldn't hurt to be ahead of the curve, and gain some information before the premenopausal/menopause/postmenopause phases hit.
This may be primarily targeted towards women of color, but as Michelle Obama says in the opening letter, "there's something in it for every woman," and honestly, if a man wants to read it and be able to understand what we will be traversing in life... there's certainly no harm in that.
This may be primarily targeted towards women of color, but as Michelle Obama says in the opening letter, "there's something in it for every woman," and honestly, if a man wants to read it and be able to understand what we will be traversing in life... there's certainly no harm in that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews