Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause

by Ann Louise Gittleman

From a renowned nutritionist and author of the bestselling Fat Flush Plan comes a revised and updated edition of the popular alternative guide for taking charge of your perimenopause, filled with up-to-date research, including the latest information on Hormone Replacement Therapy, mood swings, weight gain, and nutrition for women thirty-five and older.

Before the Change offers a gentle, proven, incremental program for understanding your body’s changes and controlling your symptoms during perimenopause—the period of about ten years leading up to menopause—to help you feel great through this vital phase of life. Inside you’ll find:


A clear explanation of the symptoms of perimenopause and a self-diagnosis quiz;
Safe and natural alternatives to hormone therapy, including healing vitamins, minerals, herbs, and natural hormones;
A guide to nutrition and healthy diet, with tips for foods that prevent and alleviate symptoms.
In addition, this revised and updated edition includes:


An expanded section on the pros and cons of soy as a natural phytoestrogen;
An expanded discussion of hypothyroidism, its connection to hormonal imbalances, and the best natural treatments;
A full analysis of HRT, including advice for safely weaning yourself off of synthetic hormones, and an overview of herbal, lifestyle, and diet options and modifications available for women who have had a hysterectomy, have risk factors or a history of breast cancer, osteoporosis, or heart disease.
With this essential do-it-yourself program, say good-bye to hormone havoc simply, safely, and naturally!

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Womens

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 1998

About the author

Dr. Ann Louise was recognized as one of the top ten nutritionists in the country by Self magazine and was the recipient of the American Medical Writers Association award for excellence.

She was the first to warn of the environmental hazards of parasites in her classic Guess What Came To Dinner? Parasites and Your Health. In Your Body Knows Best, Dr. Ann Louise was the first to discuss the blood type/weight theory and proclaim that one diet may not be right for every body - an idea that is only now becoming mainstream. She was the first to offer natural remedies for menopausal symptoms in Super Nutrition for Menopause (now in print as Hot Times) and is widely credited as the first to popularize the term “perimenopause” in her New York Times bestseller, Before The Change.

Dr. Ann Louise forged new ways of thinking about obesity early on in her career. She was the first to proclaim that obesity was caused by the lack of dietary fats and the wrong kind of carbohydrates in her book Beyond Pritikin, published in 1988. In Beyond Pritikin, she predicted that the fat-free, carb-rich diet was creating weight gain, sugar cravings, fatigue and diabetes.

Today, she continues to dedicate herself to carving out new landmarks in holistic health and healing based on science and ancient healing arts. Through her many books, website, and blog (Dr. Ann Louise’s Edge on Health), Dr. Ann Louise offers a “virtual” health support system for men and women that provides educational and self-health assessment services to empower people everywhere to achieve total health. Her latest book, a companion to the bestselling Fat Flush Plan, was released in December 2009. Fat Flush for Life, takes a seasonal approach to burn stubborn body fat all year long, integrating groundbreaking new Fat Flush diets with corresponding fitness and wellness programs.

Reviews

[Ladonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you decide to read this book, keep in mind it was originally published in 1997. At this write up, that made it 20 years old. Considering the body is the body, and the way it functions does not change, 85% of the information in the book is still relevant, however, the studies she talks about probably have others by now that have replaced them. I'm sure there is more up to date information as it relates to all of that. When it comes to the vitamins, herbs, and lifestyle changes she suggests, I'm pretty sure those are timeless...eat whole food, exercise, meditate, take a quality multi vitamin, etc. Something I was a little disappointed in was the fact that she pushes her diet from another book a lot and she seems to be a fan of eating for your blood type and changing what you eat to alleviate symptoms. That's all well and good if I were looking for another diet, but in this case I wasn't. Oh, and on a side note, her serving size chart to go with the diet was a joke. No one....and I do mean no one, eats portions that size unless you are a child or have an eating disorder. I read this because I want to know how to minimize my night sweats and get rid of debilitating abdominal pain that showed up as a part of my cycle about 6 years ago that the doctors can't figure out. I do like how she bullet points the things that can be done to help ease the symptoms of perimenopause in a section at the back for easy reference and indicates you should try them in order until you find what works for you. I am going to take what I like and leave the rest. A good read overall. Educational and helpful.

[Leah Coffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Veers wildly between common sense advice (don’t eat junk, get enough rest and exercise) and pseudoscience (all wheat is evil, as is fluoride). Anyone who wants you to consume this many supplements is trying to sell you something: namely, her line of them. Two stars for the common sense stuff. For everything else, correlation does not imply causation.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being that I'm in perimenopause, I thought this book would be a good resource. There are good things in it: things that my doctor has suggested. However, there is a lot of stuff in here that's not scientifically or medically proven (i.e., diets tailored to blood type, etc.) that I couldn't agree with.

If you are into alternative medicine, this could be a good resource.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

My main issue with this was that it was really really heavy on nutritional terminology, and for that reason all the food-centric portions of the book were quite overwhelming. I seem to remember finding Lara Briden’s books more accessible, so I will probably go back to them for future reference.

[Sara Hollar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful. Now that I have entered my 40s and my cycle has decided to become temperamental, I need a little more than, "Eat more veggies!" I feel like this provided really good guidelines and suggestions that I had not heard of before.

It was a little over the top with medical terminology. And I'm *pretty* crunchy, but not *that* crunchy, so if you're *not* crunchy at all, I don't think this would be a good read. But I took like seven pages of notes and I think this will be helpful for me moving forward.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the revised and updated edition, which was published in 2017.

If you are wondering if you are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause, let me save you from reading the book: according to Gittleman, if you're anywhere past your late 30s, you probably are. You'll find little to help determine what the root cause of your symptoms may be, but lots of advice on natural methods -- diet, exercise, the use of oils, supplements, etc -- to help you feel better. She numbers her action steps and suggests moving through them in order to see what benefits you.

Gittleman does give a lot of information on thyroid issues; this section, along with much of the other information in the book, would make for a good conversation starter with your doctor, or will reinforce suggestions you may have already received.

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read a revised and updated version of this. Interesting information but it became overwhelming after awhile. I'm not sure I could manage every change and recommendation that she makes.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea. Like really had no idea. I am so shocked by what this book talks about that I am now more informed but also dismayed at what is happening & also yet to happen. I guess unless you are taking classes or studying about the body & what it does during menstruation, perimenopause & menopause, it is hard to understand it all. Thankfully this gives insight into the possible changes your body is going through & how to basically take care of your symptoms & yourself. This isn't something most women take about in conversation while having drinks, or maybe it is. I certainly don't expect to have this conversation w/ my mother though, that's for sure. I guess the only thing left is to discuss w/ your doctor (ob/gyn) to get the low down. This book takes mostly about nutrition & that is really super important since most people don't bother paying attention to it. Knowing what your body needs is obviously different for everyone so it's important to determine to see what you can do to make this transitions easier. It does sadden me to see my body change & not for the better but being addicted to sugar is bad & don't see how to stop it. This is something that all women should read so they can get clued in & do what is right for them.

[Aud · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems to me that Gittleman was ahead of her time with this book - but this edition is getting a bit old and could use some updating. A bit repetitive, but I found it interesting and I like her natural approach to managing symptoms. Perimenopause symptoms can start as early as age 35, and they definitely hit me by my late 30s. A lot of it had to do with thyroid issues, but I still haven't gotten to the bottom of all of it. So I'll try some of her recommendations like flaxseed oil and see if I notice a difference.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound information from a trusted source.

Recommended by my DO. Gittleman addresses the full range of perimenopause. There isn't a lot of information out there on perimenopause. I recommend starting here or anything by Dr Christiane Northrup.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre. My first read on the subject, will be looking for some books with a bit better scientific basis and explanations. Bought some flax seed oil and will consider a few other bits and bobs. Let me know if you have any suggestions for better books on this!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questionable

I’m pretty dubious about a lot of the stuff in here, especially once I found out that Gittleman’s phd is completely bunk. There are some good tips in here, some not so much. And The Change diet she touts is not sustainable.

[Nia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to know information, particularly for women of color, as menopause hits earlier for us, and is not that different from PMS, but with a few more expensive oils and a lot more care of diet, exercise and stress management.

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ShiraDest

4 May, 12018 HE

[Cassandra Hungerford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fine. Nothing groundbreaking. Yes, Ann, I know that giving up carbs will stabilize my energy and giving up grains will make me think clearly. But what if I don’t want to think clearly? What if I want sourdough bread? So alas, I shall try your black seed oil, flaxseed, and vitamins (well not your vitamins, because of course she’s selling them.) I think this book might be a good starting point if you haven’t researched much, but you should see the research I do from 3-5 in the morning because I’m awake, likely because hormones. Miss Ann says it’s the sugar. Hush Ann.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book with lots of detail and lots of proactive suggestions of things one can do to help oneself. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting though - would have liked more detail about peri symptoms and maybe some case studies. Also thought the questionnaire at the beginning, meant to give you a measure of whether you were menopausal or not, was too simplistic. Generally a good read though.

[Barbra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I appreciated the biological breakdown of what occurs during PERImenopause and menopause. I also liked the reminders about food choices and exercise- however, the recommended strict diets and massive amounts of supplement suggestions without a persons individual levels being tested seems very risky to me.

[Brandi D'Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to have on hand if you are a woman in your 30's, 40's or 50's. Apparently some women sail thru this time of life without a hitch, but some of us can use some help. This book is that help. Go buy it now!

[Englandjennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some easy to do tidbits that sound like they will help decrease symptoms.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resources and helpful tips on this journey. Prepares you for a better future. Offers solutions for troubling symtoms.

[Andrea Looney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of new information and a little too scientific for me.

[Ann Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good guidance on supplements and nutrition for if/when you start feeling off in your late 30’s and later.

[Jess]

Meh...I got a few take aways to follow up with my doctor though.

[Gyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to prepare and take charge of the menopause just as the title states! It helped changed my outlook.

[Deni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read The Menopause Manifesto instead.

[Adra Hartwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful for the clear, empowering information in this book. It all makes sense to me—and I know a shift in my nutritional quality will benefit my life going forward.

[Carrie Selusnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of information, but it wasn't actually what I was looking for. I did learn a lot about food, nutrients, hormones, etc.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of scientific and anecdotal evidence to support her stances. Great recommendations for supplements and some recipes I want to try.

[Charmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gonna have create an index for this book even though it was laid out so clearly.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting nutritional approach to perimenopausal symptoms. Many of them you've probably heard of before but didn't know why they are supposed to work. I did learn a lot about the science behind some choices. Will definitely try some of them out when I have the symptoms. I'm not sure the diet would work for me though because it is not very friendly to a vegetarian diet.

[Kendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good info that I have incorporated into my life in the last month.