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The New Perimenopause: An Evidence-Based Guide to Surviving the Zone of Chaos and Feeling Like Yourself Again

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Brought to you by Penguin.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause explains everything a woman needs to know to thrive during the often-misdiagnosed and medically ignored perimenopausal years


I’m just not feeling like myself! This is the battle cry of the perimenopausal woman.

Though menstrual cycle changes and the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies them are the hallmarks of the transition to menopause, many women with regular periods as young as 35 can also start to feel irregular, with symptoms that include anxiety, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, sexual symptoms and volatile moods. This can be hugely disruptive – all the more so when a doctor dismisses a woman’s complaints as all in her head or prescribes unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment.

In The New Perimenopause, Dr Mary Claire Haver – the trailblazing voice behind the movement to revolutionise health care for women – sets things straight. She explains that the numerous and varied symptoms of perimenopause occur in direct response to normal endocrine changes; this is the hormonal 'zone of chaos.'

A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, The New Perimenopause


Clear, science-backed explanations of what's going on in your body, from changes in your menstrual cycle to energy levels, mood, sleep and sexual issues.How and why dealing with these changes now is preventative medicine for your later years.Checklists, questions for your doctor and how to insist on good care.The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of progesterone therapy to help ease your hormonal transition.Whether you have symptoms or not, The New Perimenopause helps remove the mystery around this time of change, putting women in control of their health going forward.

'Don’t tolerate shrugged shoulders from your doctor during your perimenopausal journey. Get ahead of the issues and your potential symptoms with this important, empowering and scientifically dependable book.' – Dr Vonda Wright, author of Unbreakable

Mary Claire Haver 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

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Mary Claire Haver

12 books300 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel.
226 reviews5 followers
January 28, 2026
I am disappointed in this book when comparing it to “The New Menopause” by the same author. This book was repetitive and very scientific with very little layman terms. I have a doctorate in a medical field and still felt bogged down by all of the chapters. I skimmed a lot! I also felt a lot of the book was the author discussing woman’s health disparity issues, which is accurate and needs to be addressed, but the author spent many, many paragraphs saying the same things about it.
My suggestion would be to read “The New Menopause” instead. It is written with easier to digest wording, has a better overall structure (especially when it comes to symptoms and how to treat), and is less repetitive. This book offers little to no additional information that is specific to perimenopause versus menopause.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Bharath.
1,039 reviews673 followers
May 4, 2026
This is an important book which many should read – women to cope with a difficult period which they go through; and possibly also men so that they can understand and offer support.

As the book points out, data statistics tell us that women live longer on average but spend 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to males. Perimenopause is a difficult period when women typically experience - hot flashes and night sweats, weight gain & redistribution, anxiety - depression & panic attacks, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and quite a few other very difficult symptoms - brain fog, digestion issues, etc. Irritability is one of the most detrimental symptoms affecting relationships. Perimenopause finds cursory treatment in medical school and is low on research funding. Hormonal changes lead to the brain struggling to react appropriately. This is not a gradual change making it overwhelming.

This book has detailed descriptions of the typical symptoms and options which women have (such as hormone therapy). There are ways to cope and minimize the impact with a combination of medicine/supplements, diet and lifestyle changes. Most of these are good for overall health, in any case. The diet plan included at the end isn’t very suited to many regional cuisines though.

The author mentions in her foreword that she wrote the book with her daughters in mind. Sometimes, similarly, in rare cases, we readers read books with someone else in mind. I did that with this one.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Convergent | Rodale Books and the author for a free electronic review copy.
Profile Image for Abby.
279 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2026
The New Perimenopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver is an incredibly informative, helpful, and educational read. Even as a healthcare professional, I learned far more than I expected … which really highlights how little depth we’re often given in training when it comes to perimenopause and women’s health overall.

At times, the book felt repetitive, with a strong emphasis on encouragement and reassurance. While I personally didn’t need as much of that, I recognize that many women will find it validating and empowering.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I would absolutely recommend it to all women. The education alone makes it a valuable resource, especially for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of perimenopause
Profile Image for Marlana Pagano.
13 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I’ve just finished it, and honestly? It’s a game-changer. I walked away feeling less like I’m heading toward a biological cliff and more like I’m armed with a tactical map for the years ahead.
There is a lot of jargon which sometimes makes it difficult to follow. However, it seems like the jargon is thoughtfully included so that readers know exactly what to ask for at their doctors appointments. The science shared in these pages is so compelling that I didn't just take notes—I took action. I immediately went out and purchased a weighted vest. Dr. Haver makes a bulletproof case for the necessity of resistance training and bone density preservation during this transition. I’ll admit, the irony isn't lost on me that her Pause company sells the very vests and supplements she recommends. However, I’m choosing to believe that her intentions are genuine and rooted in a desire to provide quality tools for women. The underlying science she presents is robust enough to stand on its own, regardless of where you buy your gear.
The book replaces "shrugged shoulders" from the medical community with hard data. I finally feel prepared and empowered for what’s coming next.

I was thrilled to find a selection of recipes in the back! Though I have not made them yet. They seem flavorful, hormone-conscious, and easy to follow. While the recipes included seem to be fantastic, I found myself wanting so much more. I know she has The Galveston Diet book, but I would love to see a dedicated, standalone recipe book specifically tailored to the principles in The New PeriMenopause. A compact kitchen companion would be the perfect "part two" to this guide.

Final Verdict: If you are in your 30's or anywhere near perimenopause, buy this book. It’s an essential toolkit for navigating midlife with your health, strength, and sanity intact.
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,800 reviews156 followers
November 4, 2025
I received a free copy of, The New Perimenopause, by Mary Claire Haver, MD, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is about Perimenopause, and how it affects women's bodies. This is a helpful book on what women can look forward to in menopause.
Profile Image for Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee.
1,297 reviews290 followers
June 13, 2026
This was an informative read. I am trying to educate myself more on this stage of a woman's life, as I am dealing with symptoms myself right now. I found it easy to read, encouraging, and I learned some new things. I would definitely recommend this book to any woman that's in, or soon to be in perimenopause. Every little bit of information can be so helpful.


Thank you to the publisher, and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for indy.
231 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2026
I am in the minority of readers who found this book frustrating, upsetting, and disheartening. Ultimately, it reads like a Ted Talk-style manifesto, not a practical guide for premenopausal women in the here and now.

The book made me cry on more than one occasion, and – if anything – gives me even more medical things to worry about than I already had on the list. Maybe the entrepreneurial, go-getter, have-it-all women find the book energising?

Haver spends many pages making repetitive, rhetorical pronouncements about what women deserve from doctors and (still) aren't getting. We already know all of that – that's why we are reading the damn book! Motivational speaker fluff is no help to me. I also don't need sales pitches for "Pause life" merchandise like weighted vests.

The book's advice boils down to:

— Perimenopause manifests in all kinds of ways and the problems are biological, not imagined
— Look after yourself (eat well and get enough sleep)
— Engage in aerobic exercise and weight/resistance training
— Stand up for yourself at the doctor's office
— Find another doctor if your current one refuses to take perimenopause seriously
— Ask about getting pathology tests done (see Haver's list at the back of the book)
— Explore the possibility of hormone-based therapies and other supplements

There are some structural issues that make the book feel repetitive in places, and difficult to follow in others. A few times I wondered whether I'd missed a section about a particular term or an acronym, only to find that kind of explanation later in the book. Perhaps that's a sign of clumsy editing, or the book trying to be too many things for too many types of reader.
Profile Image for Erin Kerry.
261 reviews13 followers
April 22, 2026
While I’m grateful for the awareness this brings to the perimenopause era, I’m bummed that she discounts helpful tools like urine hormone testing during particular phases. Understanding patterns of estrogen detox completely changed how I approach my cycle, and I wasted a lot of time and money “guessing” before I took an inexpensive lab test that helped me streamline my health. She talks about FDA guidelines with testing and hormone use as if they’re the ultimate deciding factor, yet promotes supplements that aren’t FDA-approved. I wish there was more room for outside-the-box thinking. I also felt like certain sections were repetitive and written using AI phrasing: “it’s not just ____; it’s _____.” Or “you’re not broken; you’re becoming…” I much prefer the open-minded, holistic approach of Dr. Amy Shah and Dr. Mindy Pelz. That being said, this would be a great overview for someone (especially a practitioner) who doesn’t know anything about the changes in this phase. I’d read this, then find a more open-minded functional medicine provider.
2 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2026

Read this book with caution because reading it is like playing two truths and a lie. She does provide information that can be helpful but some of her recommendations do not have strong evidence to support them. For example, she enthusiastically recommends weighted vests. The evidence on using weighted vests to prevent bone density loss is mixed at best, however, she does sell weighted vests on her website, starting at $100 a pop. She also sells supplements. This should be a red flag.
Profile Image for Renee M Young.
264 reviews28 followers
June 23, 2026
You’re not crazy. You’re probably just entering perimenopause! 🙃

My body is changing, I can feel it in my cluttered and tired mind, see it in the honest mirror, and hear it in my forgotten and angry words. And then there are countless other womanlier changes 🫣that I’ve simply been told were ‘normal’ and to deal with it ⏳I know there is no stopping that change, HOWEVER, Dr. Mary Claire Haver has reminded me that “the perimenopause body is a foundation to be fortified, not a problem to be fixed” (251). I am SO thankful for this book,and even more thankful that I am reading it now, at nearly 37 years old, while the road is still long and time is in my favor.

This book is a treatise on the complete, holistic—and often overlooked, neglected, and ignored—health of a perimenopausal woman. This book will “empower you to advocate for yourself and make informed choices about your care in a time when the medical establishment often fails to provide the answers you need” (226).

👩🏻‍⚕️In this book, Dr. Haver:
•admits the glaring failures in current medical practices (and, humbly, in her own career)
•provides a practical starting point to “secure muscle, movement, metabolism, and independence” (149)
•gives the reader encouragement “to intervene before irreversible damage occurs” (134) in the bones and muscles
•validates the reader’s symptomatic experiences
•outlines how the female body functions and changes over time
•includes a 5-day meal plan that prioritize protein and fiber

I really appreciated Dr. Haver’s flexibility in practice and her ability to offer broad (and somehow even very, very specific!) advice to women who have unique symptoms, family history, and needs. So much wisdom here and she clearly articulates everything in poised seriousness and dedicated compassion. I appreciated Dr. Haver’s research on hormones, her support of a holistic lifestyle without a blanketed ‘one-size-fits-all’ bandaid 🩹and her explanation of the visible and invisible changes caused by the changes happening within the body.
“I’ve seen how empowering it can be when women finally understand what’s really happening in their bodies. When they realize their weight gain, rising cholesterol, or sudden fatigue is not a personal failure, but a physiological response to estrogen loss, it changes everything. It opens the door to action, to options, to hope” (120).


I hope every woman will read this book and be motivated to not “procrastinate on prevention” (127). 💪🏽🚺🩸



⚠️I put this book on par with Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation as it pertains to overall impact, enjoyability, research thoroughness, and the severity of consequences for failing to prepare or act.

Forever changed.
Forever thankful.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
179 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2026
Every woman over 30 should read this book. And every man who loves a woman over 30, has ever loved a woman over 30, or will ever love a woman over 30 should read this book.

Perimenopause can start as early as 35, and when it hits, it really does feel like a storm. You just don’t feel like yourself and you have no idea why. For some women like myself, you can start feeling these symptoms even earlier than 35. I truly had no idea what was happening to me for the past four years, until I finally got a doctor to listen and was diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency/failure (POI/POF) at 32. Between the brain fog, insomnia, hot flashes, joint pain, increased anxiety/depression, irritability, and other symptoms, I never even put it together that all these things might be related - and, further, might be related to perimenopause. Who would? I was 28 when these symptoms started.

There are even fewer resources on POI than there are on perimenopause, but since POI is *essentially* early-onset perimenopause, this book was incredibly validating, enlightening, and informative. I feel much more able to advocate for myself in medical appointments now and have so much more information about what to do and how to manage this experience. I do wish the author had included some information on POI and more about the impact of other diagnoses like endometriosis, PMOS, PMDD, etc., but I recognize that this likely would have made the book much too long and wouldn’t apply to most women (especially POI since it is more rare).

As a therapist, it has also been helpful for me to see and understand these changes and symptoms in clients when they are in their late 30s/early 40s. I am now able to discuss perimenopause with them and refer them to their PCP for testing and management, rather than trying to treat things like depression alone when they are more hormonally-based than chemically/situationally-based. Working in this more holistic way has been life-changing for some of my clients and I’m so glad I know so much more now and can share this information with others.

Seriously. Read it. Tell all your friends to read it. If you’re not already experiencing this transition, it’s only a matter of time.
Profile Image for Laura.
167 reviews77 followers
April 16, 2026
In The New Perimenopause, Dr. Haver breaks down this major life change for women in an approachable way. She provides a description of exactly what is going on in a woman's anatomy during this time, and she expands by explaining what functions of the body are affected by perimenopause (pretty much all of them). The last section describes what avenues women can take to improve their health, including hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, and how to prepare for a doctor's visit.
I am so glad there are healthcare providers like Dr. Haver who genuinely want to enhance women's health outcomes. This is an excellent resource for someone who is just beginning to learn about this topic, although for readers who are more interested in non-HRT holistic therapies, they might find this book lacking. All in all, it's an encouraging and hopeful book for women who may have felt dismissed or hopeless about their physical and mental health.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
Profile Image for Stacey Beane.
682 reviews27 followers
May 14, 2026
This book is a wealth of information! I’d say the last 25-30% is the reference guides, dietary suggestions & recipes for weekly meals! This covers everything you need to know from sleep issues, sexual health, mental health, hormone replacement therapies & so much more & I’d absolutely recommend reading this book if you are in your mid 30’s & up especially if early menopause runs in the family!
Profile Image for Melissa Oliver.
190 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2026
This book should be required reading for women at age 35. The information is so empowering and helpful. My rating isn’t based on that alone though. As a therapist who often treats women in midlife… why has no training entity in my 17 years of practice ever mentioned perimenopause?! I am so thankful to have read this book and feel like I’m much better equipped to assess, treat, and provide proper referrals for my female clients. The “chaos zone” of hormones and the myriad symptoms that follows should be baseline knowledge for all therapists. Upon finishing the book I immediately began to use the knowledge with my clients. I listened to the audio, which was great, but I will be buying this book, highlighting it, and putting it on my shelf in my office to let clients know I’m informed about perimenopause.
Profile Image for Monica Lennon.
20 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2026
I’m not a science person, so it was hard to get through some of the medical dense parts of this book. But I think it’s a must-listen for any woman in their 30s or older. So much information great functional tips. Favorite quotes from the book:

“Aging isn’t a curse, it’s a blessing.”

“Focus on function and longevity. Strong over skinny.”

“Longevity isn’t just about living longer. It’s about living better for as long as possible.”

“The way we eat, move and rest can make a huge impact on perimenopause symptoms now and in the decades to come. It starts with reframing our goals: not being skinny or counting calories, instead we are prioritizing nutrient-density and blood sugar stability. We are no longer dieting for summer. We are fueling for longevity. We aren’t shrinking, we are fortifying. It’s not fluff, it’s evidence based…How well you move manners for more than the number on the scale for longevity.”
Profile Image for Kimmy Sue  Neal.
352 reviews6 followers
April 18, 2026
I don’t read self help books very often but this was exactly what I needed as a 43 year old woman in the thick of this perimenopause storm. I feel seen 🙏🏻 Loved all the entries of other women’s stories at the start of each chapter. Helped me to feel less alone on this journey. This was very informative and I love how Dr Mary Claire broke everything down and explained the WHY behind the science and offered solutions.

Also her letter to herself at the end brought me to tears
Profile Image for Aubrey Zaruba.
340 reviews
Read
August 9, 2026
If you have talked to me in the past couple of years, l've probably talked about perimenopause. I'm at the prime age and dealing with a few things. Chances are high that many of you are or will be dealing with some too. This is my new holy grail. I will be buying a physical copy and I will be talking about it non stop.
48 reviews
May 3, 2026
Women in their late 30s, I know you think that's too young for you, but thus book is for you! Im glad I started asking questions in my late 30s. The information in this book is very literally life changing for the perimenopausal woman. Seriously, you need to read it. Then you need to share it with your girlfriends. Then, you need to have a frank conversation with your healthcare provider. Gone are the days of white-knuckling it to the end. We deserve better care, and Dr. Haver is our very own Joan of Arc, championing better care and understanding from the healthcare system. Cannot recommend enough.
Profile Image for Alison Boone.
21 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2026
Fairly research-based but then random snippets that just really weren’t backed by research. Also very depressing that this is what I’m reading these days. Women go through so much.
Profile Image for Alissa.
231 reviews5 followers
April 19, 2026
Thank you Convergent for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I own The New Menopause and requested this book for review to see if it differed much from the first book, or if it was a rehash of the original. It’s different enough from the first book and between the two, is the one I would recommend if you are in the thick of perimenopause, or if you are in your late thirties or above and not quite there yet, so you can be proactive about this (terrible) upcoming stage in your life. Had these books been available side-by-side when my body first went awry, this would have been the better one to choose.

If you’ve read the other book, this one does differ significantly. It focuses a lot on the misdiagnoses you may experience, and how to differentiate peri symptoms from these other, similar issues. Half of the first book was “a symptom based resource system” and additional appendices, this book is less of an encyclopedia of symptoms and treatments. It discusses the failure of the medical system to adequately train physicians in this and other women’s issues. It spends a lot of time on the brain issues in peri, both cognitive and mood. And it gives advice on how to prevent/ameliorate symptoms. It discusses GLP-1 as a tool to lose weight (among other benefits), which was absent from the first book.

I’d recommend this book. After you get through the first section about how thoroughly we have all been ignored/belittled/gaslit by the medical system, take a breather, then read about what we can demand and what we can do (and what’s safe and what is a gimmick).

Dr. Haver has a thriving online presence, she has written multiple books, appears on many social media platforms, has an online clinic, and sells supplements. I was worried there would be a lot of self-promotion in this book, but aside from mentioning her clinicians lists and having her brand of supplements listed as ingredients in a smoothie recipe, the book was mostly grift-free.
Profile Image for Eva.
206 reviews8 followers
March 5, 2026
I am starting this review by saying that I am a 40yr old woman, and I am currently in perimenopause. I have been told for the last 4-5 years that I am too young, and have been brushed off every time. It was not until a couple of months ago that my doc confirmed it.

This book needs to go into the hands of every single doctor who sees female patients. Ever.

The information in this book is wonderful. It's easy to understand and it set off light bulbs in my head - and so many "wow", "yep that's me", and "hey husband listen to this".

My rating is 3 stars only because it does not read smoothly. It did feel a little choppy.
Otherwise, great source for women who keep wondering what the heck is going on, and honestly, the men in their lives could benefit from it.

Thanks Netgalley for the advanced copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Sarah.
554 reviews
June 20, 2026
I was excited to read this book to learn more about perimenopause (a little researched health issue that is poorly understood and few people talk about.) Unfortunately, I found this book more disheartening than helpful. One of the author's major points was that perimenopause is not just aging -- it's a valid set of issues based on hormone fluctuations. But, since we know so little about it, there's not much we can do to treat it, even if we know what it is. She repeatedly states that a healthy lifestyle may not protect you from perimenopause, but basically that's all we can do to treat it, barring some potential hormone therapies that may not be for everyone. So... we're doomed? Lol. Takeaway for me was keep doing what you're doing, and if you start to experience symptoms of perimenopause, then it's perimenopause. Ok...cool.
51 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 15, 2026
Only DNF because I had to give it back to the library.
Profile Image for Katie.
1,883 reviews21 followers
May 27, 2026
Libby audio. 5 stars for the science and recommendations. 3 stars for the medical influencer grifting.
Profile Image for Rachel.
Author 7 books132 followers
August 12, 2026
Okay, this is a big-sister moment.

Remember in fifth grade when they gathered all the girls together for the maturation program and explained, “Hey! Your hormones are about to change, and here are all the weird things your body might start doing”?

Well, apparently women need a second maturation program.

And it should happen somewhere around our early-to-mid thirties.

Because somehow I made it this far without knowing that perimenopause can begin as early as 35.

The New Perimenopause is basically the maturation program I didn’t know I needed. Dr. Mary Claire Haver walks through what begins happening hormonally during perimenopause and the surprisingly enormous list of symptoms those fluctuations can cause: changes in your menstrual cycle, insomnia and other sleep disruptions, anxiety, mood swings and irritability, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, weight and body-composition changes, sexual symptoms, and that incredibly vague but very real feeling of I just don’t feel like myself anymore.

And suddenly I was thinking: Why aren’t we teaching women this BEFORE it starts happening?

This is written with an academic voice so peer reviewed studies and data are pretty thorough. It might feel overwhelming to some, but Dr. Haver basically gives us all the tools we need to advocate for ourselves in case we struggle to find a doctor with the right understanding.

One of the most eye-opening parts of the book was learning about the gaps in women’s health research and why so many women struggle to get answers when these symptoms begin. Haver doesn’t just explain what’s happening—she gives you tools for advocating for yourself, questions to bring to your doctor, things to track, treatment options to discuss, and information that can help you participate more confidently in decisions about your health.

I also appreciated that the conversation wasn’t limited to surviving uncomfortable symptoms. This stage of life has implications for our long-term health, and the book discusses ways women can be proactive about protecting their bones, brains, metabolic health, and overall quality of life as they move through menopause and beyond.

That was probably my biggest takeaway: we shouldn’t have to wait until something is wrong to learn how our bodies are changing.

This isn’t a book I think women should discover at 50 and say, “Ohhhhh. THAT’S what was happening to me.”

I want to hand it to women in their mid-thirties and say, “Here. Read this now. Know what’s coming. Know what questions to ask. Know that your body may start changing before you ever associate those changes with menopause.”

I finished this feeling informed rather than afraid of this next stage of life. It gave me vocabulary for something women have been experiencing forever without necessarily having the education to recognize it.

I’m recommending it to everybody.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,058 reviews42 followers
May 21, 2026
As a woman in my mid-to-upper-40's, I knew I was probably in perimenopause but no doctors were talking to me about it at all. I had seen some videos from Dr. Haver on Instgram and so when I saw this book I decided I should probably read it to understand more about my current stage of life. And I am so glad I did! I realized that almost ALL of my current health issues can be tied back to perimenopause - things like suddenly my cholesterol and a1c numbers are up, my already pretty short fuse being markedly shorter, frustration, joint issues, weight gain - ALL OF IT is tied to the changing hormones of perimenopause. In America we have sick care, not health care, so as Dr. Haver points out most doctors aren't trying to be dismissive of your symptoms, they are just doing what they've been taught about perimenopause and menopause - which is next to nothing. Dr. Haver began doing more research as she began to get into menopause and is now sharing what she's learned and how she's changed her own medical practice to better address women's health needs throughout their entire life. Dr. Haver shows how just about every system in the body is affected by changing sex hormones during perimenopause. She also gives tips about what you can do to find some relief for each of those area/issues. She reiterates that this is not a one-size-fits-all situation and lifestyle (sleep, diet, exercise, etc.) definitely plays a role as well. This was a VERY eye-opening book for me and I'm so glad I read it now. If you are a woman who is in your 40's even if you think you're too young for perimenopause - you're not and you need to read this book.

Some quotes I liked:

"But another complicating factor is that perimenopause requires a symptom-based diagnosis rather than a lab-test-based one. There are currently no lab tests that allow for a conclusive and straightforward diagnosis of perimenopause, so a doctor must rely on their knowledge of symptoms related to this reproductive transition to make that diagnosis. Well, this is a big problem since doctors aren't being educated about symptoms. I was never taught during my residency that perimenopause had any symptoms other than disrupted periods. The majority of clinicians don't have a bank of knowledge to rely on for the diagnosis and treatment of perimenopause, so many sadly default to dismissive condolences." (p. 16)

"This is why I've been working hard to promote the message that perimenopause is a metabolic event, not just a reproductive milestone. If we're not looking at the whole picture - including cholesterol, inflammation, blood sugar, and fat distribution - we're missing key opportunities to protect women's health." (p. 111)
17 reviews
July 30, 2026
Right here, ladies! This book is chock full of accessible, understandable information on the role your hormones play in overall organ/system function and how those changes effect you as you age. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of what may be going on, how to manage your symptoms and how to get a conversations going with your healthcare team, if that's what you choose. A worthy read. If you know me personally and would like to borrow it, let me know.
Profile Image for Heidi Hankins.
250 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2026
This book was very helpful in the knowledge gathering phase of perimenopause. A lot of the book was the why and what and a medical explanation given in palatable bites. I plan to purchase this book so I can refer to things as they come up. I found the last few chapters of the book filled with practical advice of how to talk to you pcp, steps to fortify the body and more. I think what spoke most to me (bc I can only take in so much information at a time) were the testimonials at the beginning of each chapter. “I just don’t feel like myself” “I feel crazy” were validating.
Profile Image for Kelley.
1,012 reviews5 followers
July 1, 2026
EVERY woman in their 30's to 50's should read this. Even if you are past this or not experiencing this. It gives wonderful insight on a painfully overlooked, mostly ignored, sector of women's health. the insight on strength vs. # on the scale, what you are eating and how you are coping and ways to combat all the things makes this book worth it alone.
I hope women's health (except your fertile years) and the research and studies and instruction of doctors vastly improves by the time my daughter gets to be my age, as in the US especially, we are HIGHLY overlooked.
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