Bloody Powerful: The taboo-busting guide to periods, menopause and everything in-between

by Dr Brooke Vandermolen, Hazel Mead (Illustrator)

Brought to life with art from talented illustrator Hazel Mead, this incredible book is aimed at every woman stuck in the 'information gap' navigating the jargon and myths about their gynaecological health online. Bloody Powerful covers everything you didn't get taught in giving you factually correct and reliable information coming from a practicing gynaecology doctor. It is a non-judgemental and insightful guide to empowering yourself to take charge of your body. Dr Brooke Vandermolen answers questions you have always wanted to ask, from 'Do I need supplements to balance my hormones?' to 'How do I know if my period is too heavy?' sprinkled with facts you may never have realised about your body. Thought-provoking, inspiring and inclusive, this book will show you how we're all the same in wanting to know more about our own bodies, and we are each utterly and beautifully unique.

Genres: Nonfiction

280 pages, Hardcover

Published April 23, 2026

Reviews

[Amy Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best new book of its kind. Beautifully illustrated, honest and informative. One I’ll keep picking up over and over!

[East of Reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

For people interested in the human body — from hormones to fertility issues, periods to menopause — this book does an excellent job of covering everything with bite sized information, colorfully presented with cheerful illustrations. However, this isn’t going to be a reference book, because it’s not going over one subject but giving a general overview. While it goes over hormones and how they interact with the body, it’s not pretending to be a medical paper telling you how and why and what to do about issues.

I do like that there is a guide on how to talk to your gynecologist, how to ask questions and even some suggestions of what questions you could start with. The book wants to give you enough information to advocate for yourself, and I think it did a great job of setting up conversations and even giving names to issues people might want to find more information about, such as PCOS, fibroids, infertility or menopause.

A very worthwhile book. Thank you so much to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC.

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siempre me han apasionado los libros de educación sexual y este libro no es la excepción. Me ha encantado. Desconocía por completo que al clítoris dentro del Malleus Maleficarium sugería que era el pezón del diablo y que si notaban en la mujer el pequeño bulto era considerada bruja. Y aunque hemos avanzado, realmente fue hasta hace poco donde una Australiana ilustrando realmente la anatomía del clítoris. Menciona muchos datos interesantes y sobretodo la anatomía del clítoris, del útero etc. Y aunque soy una persona que siempre intenta consumir libros de educación sexual, debo decir que este libro destaca por el hecho de explicar inclusive datos que desconocía como lo de las trompas de falopio que no están conectadas directamente a los ovarios. Me encantó

[Hannah Winegar]

Quite honestly, this was the book I needed at 10 more than "What Your 5th Grader Needs to Know" or the classic "Care and Keeping of You." While I likely would have bounced around chapters then like I did at 30, I feel like this was a more helpful breakdown of a woman (or uterus/ovary possessor, similar terminology that the author uses) than either of those.

It basically follows most stages someone goes through in their life. Periods, different birth controls, different hormone issues, pregnancy, menopause, and even things in between I'm sure I'm missing. It's in depth without going over my head, and it's knowledgeable without being condescending.

Thanks, NG!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me so much! A comprehensive guide that explains complex concepts in a way that anyone can understand. I can’t wait to share it with my daughter when she’s older.

[georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So refreshing and empowering! I found it very easy to pick up intermittently and digest complex topics in a fun and totally accessible way. A huge accomplishment.

[Sarah Gardyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an informative and useful book but did feel it was a once over lightly. Would be great read for a teen or young woman