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Not Just a Period: Reclaim Your Cycle, Harness Your Hormones, and Take Control of Your Health
The instant Sunday Times bestseller.
‘Packed with science-based strategies to help you learn about your body and your cycle’ – Red magazine
'No fluff, just facts. An absolute must-read for understanding our bodies better' – Chessie King, author of Be Your Own Best Friend
Not Just a Period is your essential handbook for taking control of your health and living in harmony with your body.
In this definitive guide, bestselling author and women's health expert Dr Hazel Wallace goes beyond periods to show how your hormones influence almost every aspect of your wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, improve your sleep, or simply understand your body better, Dr Hazel provides the science-backed toolkit you need to thrive.
Through key health pillars of nutrition, movement, sleep, mood, libido, breast health, and even skin and hair, you’ll learn how to work with your biology, and in tune with your cycle. Covering everything from the way your metabolism may shift throughout the month to changes in your immunity and gut health, Not Just a Period reveals how
Navigate mood and libido changes with confidence and self-compassionOptimize your nutrition and exercise regime, wherever you are in your cycleHave better periods and more energy, all month longSpot red flags and advocate for your health in a medical system that often overlooks women.
'Your crash course in understanding women's bodies . . . and finally dragging period stigma to its well-deserved grave!' – Dr Karan Rajan, author of This Book May Save Your Life
'A game-changing practical resource for understanding your cycle and your health' – Cherry Healey, author of Letters to My Fanny
‘Packed with science-based strategies to help you learn about your body and your cycle’ – Red magazine
'No fluff, just facts. An absolute must-read for understanding our bodies better' – Chessie King, author of Be Your Own Best Friend
Not Just a Period is your essential handbook for taking control of your health and living in harmony with your body.
In this definitive guide, bestselling author and women's health expert Dr Hazel Wallace goes beyond periods to show how your hormones influence almost every aspect of your wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, improve your sleep, or simply understand your body better, Dr Hazel provides the science-backed toolkit you need to thrive.
Through key health pillars of nutrition, movement, sleep, mood, libido, breast health, and even skin and hair, you’ll learn how to work with your biology, and in tune with your cycle. Covering everything from the way your metabolism may shift throughout the month to changes in your immunity and gut health, Not Just a Period reveals how
Navigate mood and libido changes with confidence and self-compassionOptimize your nutrition and exercise regime, wherever you are in your cycleHave better periods and more energy, all month longSpot red flags and advocate for your health in a medical system that often overlooks women.
'Your crash course in understanding women's bodies . . . and finally dragging period stigma to its well-deserved grave!' – Dr Karan Rajan, author of This Book May Save Your Life
'A game-changing practical resource for understanding your cycle and your health' – Cherry Healey, author of Letters to My Fanny
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
May 25, 2025
If you have regular periods and are looking to understand the signs and symptoms of your cycle and what constitutes as healthy and not, i think this is a great book. If you've got PCOS / endometriosis and are hoping for a deeper dive into what you might be experiencing and why, ways to alleviate your symptoms and how to help regulate your cycle, this isn't for you.
I've been waiting for months for this book having followed Hazel for years and knowing she has PCOS, I was expecting much more focus on PCOS beyond the generic advice given by doctors and found myself disappointed at how surface level it was. I recognise there's only so much you can put in writing based on personal experience, especially when you hold the title of doctor, as some may not get the same results as yourself, but honestly researching via google and podcasts has taught me more than this book covered.
Additionally found myself surprised at advice like taking a contraceptive pill if you find ovulation painful- isn't this part of the problem with PCOS and doctors only responding with "go on the pill and come back when you want kids"??
That said, i do think a book explaining periods is an amazing step in the right direction for women generally as this information isn't taught at school and i think younger me would have felt much more confident about dealing with my period and body image changes through working/ sports /holidays if l'd had this book and could understand why I felt different every day of the month.
I've been waiting for months for this book having followed Hazel for years and knowing she has PCOS, I was expecting much more focus on PCOS beyond the generic advice given by doctors and found myself disappointed at how surface level it was. I recognise there's only so much you can put in writing based on personal experience, especially when you hold the title of doctor, as some may not get the same results as yourself, but honestly researching via google and podcasts has taught me more than this book covered.
Additionally found myself surprised at advice like taking a contraceptive pill if you find ovulation painful- isn't this part of the problem with PCOS and doctors only responding with "go on the pill and come back when you want kids"??
That said, i do think a book explaining periods is an amazing step in the right direction for women generally as this information isn't taught at school and i think younger me would have felt much more confident about dealing with my period and body image changes through working/ sports /holidays if l'd had this book and could understand why I felt different every day of the month.
June 1, 2025
Ahhhh. I really wanted to like this.
As someone who has done quite a lot of research myself into the topic of periods, PCOS and just being quite in tune with my body, this book was just too much 'going back to basics'. I don't feel like I've learned anything new personally... BUT at the same time, I would have loved to have access to this kind of book back when I was a teenager and just starting to get my period.
I think the author is doing an important job of raising awareness of menstrual cycles. It made me quite sad to read all the contradicting research examples. Some of the chapters, the author talks about different solutions and advice but then always ends on a note that there's not much evidence, so can't recommend any certain solution, just try all the things yourself and see what fits. And it's not a dig at the author - it just shows how much research is still needed on this topic and how overlooked it's been.
Dr Hazel raises a lot of important issues in the book. I might just be too informed on this topic already! And my expectations were to learn something from this. I also thought the author will cover PCOS more as someone who is diagnosed with it.
I would, however, recommend to a teenager who is just starting on her menstrual cycle journey. Or someone who never took much notice to their periods and wants to learn more!
As someone who has done quite a lot of research myself into the topic of periods, PCOS and just being quite in tune with my body, this book was just too much 'going back to basics'. I don't feel like I've learned anything new personally... BUT at the same time, I would have loved to have access to this kind of book back when I was a teenager and just starting to get my period.
I think the author is doing an important job of raising awareness of menstrual cycles. It made me quite sad to read all the contradicting research examples. Some of the chapters, the author talks about different solutions and advice but then always ends on a note that there's not much evidence, so can't recommend any certain solution, just try all the things yourself and see what fits. And it's not a dig at the author - it just shows how much research is still needed on this topic and how overlooked it's been.
Dr Hazel raises a lot of important issues in the book. I might just be too informed on this topic already! And my expectations were to learn something from this. I also thought the author will cover PCOS more as someone who is diagnosed with it.
I would, however, recommend to a teenager who is just starting on her menstrual cycle journey. Or someone who never took much notice to their periods and wants to learn more!
May 24, 2025
I have read a few books surrounding this topic so I didn’t find out anything new, most of the information was pretty basic and I found that in the sections discussing the pill and its effects on the cycle there was no definitive answers or studies so I didn’t see the point in including it if there was nothing to elaborate on. Overall a good book for teenagers or people who don’t really know much about periods, but nothing groundbreaking in my honest opinion!
December 6, 2025
2.5 Stars
This was...basic.
I would say it's a decent book for a young woman who doesn't know much about menstruation.
However as someone who has suffered from endometriosis for 20 years, this was a book that lacked substance.
I thought endometriosis would have a bigger section considering 1 in 10 women have it. But it was just a tiny part of the appendix at the end.
In my opinion there are much better books out there for general information but also to look into the sections in more detail.
Overall, passed with have correct information but wasn't exactly crammed with it!
This was...basic.
I would say it's a decent book for a young woman who doesn't know much about menstruation.
However as someone who has suffered from endometriosis for 20 years, this was a book that lacked substance.
I thought endometriosis would have a bigger section considering 1 in 10 women have it. But it was just a tiny part of the appendix at the end.
In my opinion there are much better books out there for general information but also to look into the sections in more detail.
Overall, passed with have correct information but wasn't exactly crammed with it!
September 9, 2025
As a chap, my chapette suggested I read this one. I learned a lot and I'm already spotting the misinformation memes that the author talks about as her inspiration for writing this book.
So mission accomplished 4/5 👍
So mission accomplished 4/5 👍
August 24, 2025
3/5 ⭐️ This was a helpful book to reassure me of my knowledge about my periods. It scratched the surface of many topics, and I do wish it contained a bit more detail, case studies and stats (unusual for me as usually I’d rather less!!). Howeverrrrr, I have convinced my boyfriend to read this so will see what he thinks!😼
June 27, 2025
Listened to this as an audio book. Easy listen and some interesting info. Would recommend to a friend
July 9, 2025
We’re so behind as a society on our understanding of the menstrual cycle that this book still feels like a must-read for every teenager (both women and men!!). That said, all info in this book remain quite basic and shallow. It is very frustrating to read that research is still at its infancy on many many areas related to our cycles despite relating to half of humanity (!!!). Hence, it would have been interesting to cover less info (especially those with poor scientific background) and dig more into specific topics. That said, thanks to Dr Wallace for raising awareness!! Very VERY important topic.
February 7, 2026
Audiobook listen ~ an important and informative book but it could’ve delved deeper into research as I felt I already knew a lot of the content and I would’ve appreciated a deeper dive into some of the info shared.
October 20, 2025
Quite liked it. Gave a really good overview of everything. Bit sad it did not dive even more into things. But would recommend for the basic knowledge of the areas. Also nice it added boobs, hair and skin
July 30, 2025
Soooo informative and changed my perspective on so many things. Wish I learnt this kind of stuff in school!! So much more informed and neutral than the TikTok anti-birth control brigade. Here for it!!!!
May 24, 2025
If you have regular periods and are looking to understand the signs and symptoms of your cycle and what constitutes as healthy and not, i think this is a great book. If you’ve got PCOS / endometriosis and are hoping for a deeper dive into what you might be experiencing and why, ways to alleviate your symptoms and how to help regulate your cycle, this isn’t for you.
I’ve been waiting for months for this book having followed Hazel for years and knowing she has PCOS, I was expecting much more focus on PCOS beyond the generic advice given by doctors and found myself disappointed at how surface level it was. I recognise there’s only so much you can put in writing based on personal experience, especially when you hold the title of doctor, as some may not get the same results as yourself, but honestly researching via google and podcasts has taught me more than this book covered. Additionally found myself surprised at advice like taking a contraceptive pill if you find ovulation painful- isn’t this part of the problem with PCOS and doctors only responding with “go on the pill and come back when you want kids”??
That said, i do think a book explaining periods is an amazing step in the right direction for women generally as this information isn’t taught at school and i think younger me would have felt much more confident about dealing with my period and body image changes through working/ sports /holidays if I’d had this book and could understand why I felt different every day of the month.
I’ve been waiting for months for this book having followed Hazel for years and knowing she has PCOS, I was expecting much more focus on PCOS beyond the generic advice given by doctors and found myself disappointed at how surface level it was. I recognise there’s only so much you can put in writing based on personal experience, especially when you hold the title of doctor, as some may not get the same results as yourself, but honestly researching via google and podcasts has taught me more than this book covered. Additionally found myself surprised at advice like taking a contraceptive pill if you find ovulation painful- isn’t this part of the problem with PCOS and doctors only responding with “go on the pill and come back when you want kids”??
That said, i do think a book explaining periods is an amazing step in the right direction for women generally as this information isn’t taught at school and i think younger me would have felt much more confident about dealing with my period and body image changes through working/ sports /holidays if I’d had this book and could understand why I felt different every day of the month.
July 20, 2025
I personally really loved this book!
As a girl who really struggles with multiple symptoms including:
- Very painful and heavy periods
- Low mood
- Cystic acne
+ many other conditions related to menstruation and female hormones
I found this book incredibly helpful, specifically the chapters around nutrition, and how the cycle actually works.
That said, I do agree with some peoples reviews in a sense that this may seem a little “beginner” to some. I personally didn’t find this, but that is coming from someone who doesn’t know much to begin with!
If you’re already pretty clued up in women’s cycles, hormones and menstruation, then this probably isn’t for you! However, If you’re like me and are trying to figure out what the HECK going on with your body, I’d highly recommend this 🫶🏼
As a girl who really struggles with multiple symptoms including:
- Very painful and heavy periods
- Low mood
- Cystic acne
+ many other conditions related to menstruation and female hormones
I found this book incredibly helpful, specifically the chapters around nutrition, and how the cycle actually works.
That said, I do agree with some peoples reviews in a sense that this may seem a little “beginner” to some. I personally didn’t find this, but that is coming from someone who doesn’t know much to begin with!
If you’re already pretty clued up in women’s cycles, hormones and menstruation, then this probably isn’t for you! However, If you’re like me and are trying to figure out what the HECK going on with your body, I’d highly recommend this 🫶🏼
November 24, 2025
Definitely my favourite of Hazel Wallace’s books. She’s one of the few influencers who’s also a doctor and still manages to keep everything genuinely real. I learned so much about periods from this, and it’s given me such a clearer understanding of my body… what’s changing, why it’s happening, and how to actually work with it. I feel more in tune, more prepared, and way better at communicating what I need!
It even helped me realise there are about seven days a month where I genuinely feel my best (lol, I’ll take it).
Absolutely here for more research and honest conversations about female health.
I would recommend this book for “starters”. Perfect for anyone wanting to understand the basics without feeling overwhelmed.
It even helped me realise there are about seven days a month where I genuinely feel my best (lol, I’ll take it).
Absolutely here for more research and honest conversations about female health.
I would recommend this book for “starters”. Perfect for anyone wanting to understand the basics without feeling overwhelmed.
July 21, 2025
3 stars is generous I feel, and I give it a generous 3 only because I want to promote more books/research and conversation surround hormones and women’s health.
After recently being diagnosed with PMDD I wanted to find something in this book that would be helpful, but as the author said in nearly every chapter “research is limited”. Welcome, to the female world. I did find some points useful and highlighted any helpful tips and suggestions surrounding nutrition and supplements, as this is an area that I find overwhelming and heavily marketed.
Overall, I think I would have loved this book at 16 and I’d have found it very informative and helpful. At 29, I feel as though it was very low level and at points, generic.
After recently being diagnosed with PMDD I wanted to find something in this book that would be helpful, but as the author said in nearly every chapter “research is limited”. Welcome, to the female world. I did find some points useful and highlighted any helpful tips and suggestions surrounding nutrition and supplements, as this is an area that I find overwhelming and heavily marketed.
Overall, I think I would have loved this book at 16 and I’d have found it very informative and helpful. At 29, I feel as though it was very low level and at points, generic.
August 16, 2026
I think this book is a really good starting point for people who menstruate wanting to learn about their bodies, or for partners/families/friends who want to try support a loved one. If you have a basic understanding of the menstrual cycle this may be more revision rather than teaching you something new. Hazel highlights how much research still needs to be undertaken to better understand the menstrual cycle and it's influence.
August 4, 2025
A solid introductory book on the subject. I wanted more information, but the issue is the dearth of decent research rather than the author not covering it.
Women’s health has historically been a neglected field of of study, hopefully we are at a point now where we can significantly improve this - we need more research into menstruation and conditions like endometriosis, PMDD, and PCOS.
Women’s health has historically been a neglected field of of study, hopefully we are at a point now where we can significantly improve this - we need more research into menstruation and conditions like endometriosis, PMDD, and PCOS.
August 12, 2025
glad to read a book that's actually nuanced about evidence, felt like Period Power was way too much based on anecdotal experience than legit data, so this book by Dr Hazel Wallace is refreshing. Also love her recipes!
I was hoping for deeper insights into topics like endometriosis, and this was not it. Very generalist summary rather than in depth comparison of the evidence and tools
I was hoping for deeper insights into topics like endometriosis, and this was not it. Very generalist summary rather than in depth comparison of the evidence and tools
August 26, 2025
Useful for a broader knowledge of how hormones can affect women's health and specific conditions linked with this. Showed the need for more scientific research into these things as SO many things are under researched.
So much information that I don't quite know what to do with! But a lot of good stuff, to guide healthy living through the weeks of changing hormones.
So much information that I don't quite know what to do with! But a lot of good stuff, to guide healthy living through the weeks of changing hormones.
August 31, 2026
This was so informative and accessible! The right balance between detail and need to know. I learned a lot and wished so much of this has been taught to me at school. I was disappointed the book wasn’t longer. It’s frustrating how much we still have to research and learn about female health, we simply don’t know enough!
August 27, 2025
god i love being a woman
June 21, 2026
Very informative book! Worth a read for every woman☺️
August 14, 2026
Everyone should read this!
September 25, 2026
Great for learning more about your cycle that we never learned in school
October 7, 2026
3/5 ✨
I strongly believe that your rating of this book will be affected by your knowledge of the topics it covers. If you’re a teenager seeking more information about your health, particularly when it comes to your period, and you have little to no knowledge about the subject, then this book is for you, but if you’re a patient who has already done a lot of research or a professional in the medical field, then it’s simply not for you because it only covers the basics.
It was fun reading it though
I strongly believe that your rating of this book will be affected by your knowledge of the topics it covers. If you’re a teenager seeking more information about your health, particularly when it comes to your period, and you have little to no knowledge about the subject, then this book is for you, but if you’re a patient who has already done a lot of research or a professional in the medical field, then it’s simply not for you because it only covers the basics.
It was fun reading it though
January 22, 2026
An interesting read that has really helped explain the medical science behind my period. A few broad overviews that don’t really get into it as much as I would have liked, but lots of research in the bibliography I can go to!
March 12, 2026
informative book - wish there was more current research in relation to women’s health to make this book broader
Read
June 30, 2025really good book to get a basic overview of everything to do with the menstrual cycle, I wasn’t very clued in and got taught some things!
July 5, 2025
Don’t get me wrong, I think any steps towards literacy on reproductive health and women’s health are incredibly important and I’m glad this book exists!
However, I’m definitely not the target audience for this. And I wonder if most people buying it are. All the topics lack depth and are discussed on a superficial level. If you’re the kind of person who goes out and buys this book, you probably already know all the basic information it covers.
However, I’m definitely not the target audience for this. And I wonder if most people buying it are. All the topics lack depth and are discussed on a superficial level. If you’re the kind of person who goes out and buys this book, you probably already know all the basic information it covers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews