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The Hormone Diaries: The Bloody Truth About Our Periods
An honest, funny and feminist take on living with your period (and hormones!), by the award-winning sex and relationships vlogger, and author of Doing It! , Hannah Witton. When Hannah Witton started documenting her journey coming off the pill and re-getting her period, she wasn't anticipating the reaction, from people of all ages, that talking about it would bring. It exposed a glaring gap - the resources and the spaces to talk honestly about periods just aren't there. And with more and more research showing that your period and your hormones can affect literally every area of your life, this is a problem. Inspired by her YouTube series of the same name, The Hormone Diaries draws on Hannah's own experiences and, through crowdsourcing on her social media platforms, those of her fans too. With her trademark honesty and humour, Hannah explores and demystifies topics surrounding periods, hormones and contraception, to offer readers support, information and advice. The definitive period self-help book 50% of the world has been waiting for!
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2019
24 people are currently reading
2252 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Witton
4 books5,704 followersYou can keep up with what I'm reading over on StoryGraph: https://beta.thestorygraph.com/profil...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 13, 2019
Full of information and intrigue, The Hormone Diaries reads like a life story, not just of the author but of a conglomerate of womb warriors writing to their own bodies and what they have to deal with. This is a must read for people who have periods, and also for those who don't. You want the truth about periods? It's in this book!
July 12, 2019
Just over two years ago I read and reviewed Hannah Witton’s first book,
Doing It!: Let’s Talk About Sex
. I loved seeing a YouTuber I respected and whose videos I so enjoyed meet with success in book form. With The Hormone Diaries: The Bloody Truth About Our Periods, Witton does it again. Based this time on a long-running series on her channel chronicling her journey of self-exploration by discontinuing her birth control pill, The Hormone Diaries aims to inform its readers about menstruation and other hormone-related issues for people with ovaries and uteruses. With a target audience of 15+, the book does this in an approachable, reassuring way. It’s this combination of compassionate cleverness and clear research effort that makes Witton a great educator.
Despite its subtitle and provocative cover art, this book is about way more than periods. That’s part one of five, the others being: contraception, disorders, hormones and being trans, and pregnancy. I would have a difficult time trying to decide which of the parts are the most valuable; I learned so much from every part of the book. For example, while I understood the basics of menstruation, it was really interesting to see Witton explain the nuances of the subject, the ways it can vary for people, and the different products that exist to help deal with it. Similarly, I had a pretty solid idea about how the pill works, but I wasn’t aware of its sordid backstory and the truth behind the reasons for the 7-day break. It’s these kinds of things that had me asking one of my best friends on the phone, “Uh, did you know this??”
Some positionality, I guess: I’m a cis man. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m out of the target audience—on the contrary, I think this book is just as essential for people like me as it is for, say, a teenage girl trying to learn more about her period in a society that is hellbent on shaming her for it. And I’m quite impressed that Witton manages to achieve a tone that keeps the book accessible to such a wide audience. Nevertheless, it should be obvious that in my review I’m coming at this from the point of view of the outsider. These are issues that I’ve never dealt with. I’m reading because I’m curious, because I want to build my empathy for all the lovely people in my life who have these hormone-related experiences. I want to be able to participate in the conversation knowledgeably and responsibly.
I really like how inclusive this book is. Witton achieves this in two ways. First, she is conscious about her language. We associate menstruation with womanhood, yet as Witton points out, some people who menstruate aren’t women, and many women don’t menstruate. So the idea that menstruation makes one “a woman” is fallacious and actually harmful. This book acknowledges the existence and experiences of trans and non-binary folx, particularly through the second way: Witton includes a plethora of short letters submitted by viewers of her Hormone Diaries series. These come from all around the world and include cis women, trans women, people young and old, pre-menopausal or peri-menopausal or post-menopausal. (The one notable omission, as far as I can, is that the book doesn’t seem to mention intersex people. I don’t know if that’s outside the scope of the book because many conditions fall under the intersex banner, so it’s very complicated, or what. ) While Witton supplies the information, and adds her educated opinion about the subjects, she lets her fan contributors share stories far more diverse than she, alone, could provide.
These letters also serve the important purpose of expressing differing opinions. For example, one person writes an encomium of the combined pill and its effects on stabilizing her mood, while another person breaks up with their pill because of weight gain. Some of her contributors love tampons, others despise them. Witton is upfront about not wanting this book to be a guide or a solely her view on the “correct” ways to manage a period, use contraception, etc. She tries to equip the reader to make their own decisions, and part of that is to share different opinions on topics.
The only time Witton really gets polemical is when she addresses an underlying social justice issue: women’s pain is not taken seriously. This is particularly evident in the chapter on disorders, diseases, and infections, as well as the pregnancy chapter, but it runs throughout The Hormone Diaries. By and large Witton tries to keep her tone upbeat and even jocular, but when this issue comes up, her frustration and anger is palpable—to good effect, and with good reason! A great deal of suffering related to periods, hormones, etc., might be alleviated if we as a society cared more about women’s health and the health of people who menstruate or can get pregnant. Hence, it would be a mistake to write this book off as simply an educational text: like all of Witton’s project, there is a strong foundation of social justice and equity.
No book on such an important issue could be perfect, of course, and I have some minor critiques. Although its contributors are international, the book on the whole is quite specific to the UK when it comes to its information about health services and outcomes. I suppose that’s not surprising, and it isn’t a flaw in the book, but it’s worth being aware of this, especially if you’re reading it outside the UK. On a related note, fertility-tracking or awareness apps get mentioned a couple of times. Some of these apps have made the news recently because of privacy concerns, either in terms of selling users’ data to related industries, or even selling the data to your employer! Technology can be such a great tool for quantifying and helping one understand one’s body, and I think Witton is right to discuss its pros and cons so candidly here. Just be aware that, as with any technology, privacy and who has access to your data should be on your mind.
Honestly, though, these are incredibly minor quibbles compared to the wealth of information and relief, I’m sure for some, that The Hormone Diaries offers. As much as I loved Doing It!, I’m pleased to say that for her second effort Witton has stepped up her game. Her writing is even better; her topic is focused and delivered extremely well; I learned so much. My only true regret is that I didn’t get a chance to read it much in public so I could make a statement as a very dude-looking dude reading a book about periods with these bloody panties on the cover. Maybe for a re-read sometime?
Despite its subtitle and provocative cover art, this book is about way more than periods. That’s part one of five, the others being: contraception, disorders, hormones and being trans, and pregnancy. I would have a difficult time trying to decide which of the parts are the most valuable; I learned so much from every part of the book. For example, while I understood the basics of menstruation, it was really interesting to see Witton explain the nuances of the subject, the ways it can vary for people, and the different products that exist to help deal with it. Similarly, I had a pretty solid idea about how the pill works, but I wasn’t aware of its sordid backstory and the truth behind the reasons for the 7-day break. It’s these kinds of things that had me asking one of my best friends on the phone, “Uh, did you know this??”
Some positionality, I guess: I’m a cis man. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m out of the target audience—on the contrary, I think this book is just as essential for people like me as it is for, say, a teenage girl trying to learn more about her period in a society that is hellbent on shaming her for it. And I’m quite impressed that Witton manages to achieve a tone that keeps the book accessible to such a wide audience. Nevertheless, it should be obvious that in my review I’m coming at this from the point of view of the outsider. These are issues that I’ve never dealt with. I’m reading because I’m curious, because I want to build my empathy for all the lovely people in my life who have these hormone-related experiences. I want to be able to participate in the conversation knowledgeably and responsibly.
I really like how inclusive this book is. Witton achieves this in two ways. First, she is conscious about her language. We associate menstruation with womanhood, yet as Witton points out, some people who menstruate aren’t women, and many women don’t menstruate. So the idea that menstruation makes one “a woman” is fallacious and actually harmful. This book acknowledges the existence and experiences of trans and non-binary folx, particularly through the second way: Witton includes a plethora of short letters submitted by viewers of her Hormone Diaries series. These come from all around the world and include cis women, trans women, people young and old, pre-menopausal or peri-menopausal or post-menopausal. (The one notable omission, as far as I can, is that the book doesn’t seem to mention intersex people. I don’t know if that’s outside the scope of the book because many conditions fall under the intersex banner, so it’s very complicated, or what. ) While Witton supplies the information, and adds her educated opinion about the subjects, she lets her fan contributors share stories far more diverse than she, alone, could provide.
These letters also serve the important purpose of expressing differing opinions. For example, one person writes an encomium of the combined pill and its effects on stabilizing her mood, while another person breaks up with their pill because of weight gain. Some of her contributors love tampons, others despise them. Witton is upfront about not wanting this book to be a guide or a solely her view on the “correct” ways to manage a period, use contraception, etc. She tries to equip the reader to make their own decisions, and part of that is to share different opinions on topics.
The only time Witton really gets polemical is when she addresses an underlying social justice issue: women’s pain is not taken seriously. This is particularly evident in the chapter on disorders, diseases, and infections, as well as the pregnancy chapter, but it runs throughout The Hormone Diaries. By and large Witton tries to keep her tone upbeat and even jocular, but when this issue comes up, her frustration and anger is palpable—to good effect, and with good reason! A great deal of suffering related to periods, hormones, etc., might be alleviated if we as a society cared more about women’s health and the health of people who menstruate or can get pregnant. Hence, it would be a mistake to write this book off as simply an educational text: like all of Witton’s project, there is a strong foundation of social justice and equity.
No book on such an important issue could be perfect, of course, and I have some minor critiques. Although its contributors are international, the book on the whole is quite specific to the UK when it comes to its information about health services and outcomes. I suppose that’s not surprising, and it isn’t a flaw in the book, but it’s worth being aware of this, especially if you’re reading it outside the UK. On a related note, fertility-tracking or awareness apps get mentioned a couple of times. Some of these apps have made the news recently because of privacy concerns, either in terms of selling users’ data to related industries, or even selling the data to your employer! Technology can be such a great tool for quantifying and helping one understand one’s body, and I think Witton is right to discuss its pros and cons so candidly here. Just be aware that, as with any technology, privacy and who has access to your data should be on your mind.
Honestly, though, these are incredibly minor quibbles compared to the wealth of information and relief, I’m sure for some, that The Hormone Diaries offers. As much as I loved Doing It!, I’m pleased to say that for her second effort Witton has stepped up her game. Her writing is even better; her topic is focused and delivered extremely well; I learned so much. My only true regret is that I didn’t get a chance to read it much in public so I could make a statement as a very dude-looking dude reading a book about periods with these bloody panties on the cover. Maybe for a re-read sometime?
December 16, 2019
A great resource!
My View:
This is a fabulous read! This is an open, honest, and at times humorous and easy to read exploration of a subject that needs to be talked about and a book that needs to be shared. I wish it had been available when I was a teenager. It has answers to probably most questions that any young person may have about their periods or lack of them. It is a resource I hope that you will find in libraries and schools and is the perfect gift for those on the cusp of puberty.
And I think 100% of the population would benefit from reading this informative book.
My View:
This is a fabulous read! This is an open, honest, and at times humorous and easy to read exploration of a subject that needs to be talked about and a book that needs to be shared. I wish it had been available when I was a teenager. It has answers to probably most questions that any young person may have about their periods or lack of them. It is a resource I hope that you will find in libraries and schools and is the perfect gift for those on the cusp of puberty.
And I think 100% of the population would benefit from reading this informative book.
August 1, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this. I feel like it's a great book if you want to learn more about how periods and bodies in general work, but don't necessarily need to know all the anatomical details and technical terms. It's written in a very accessible way and I liked how inclusive it was.
The highlight of the book were definitely the different diary entries by all kinds of different people. They made the book feel personal and unique. And they sounded like a lot of fun to write, so here's mine:
Dear period,
This may sound a bit weird, but I actually like you. Sure, I complain whenever you arrive and I would really appreciate it if you were a tiny bit more predictable and if you could maybe turn down the cramps a little, but still. I like you. And I don't even really know why. I guess it's because you remind me that, actually, bodies are really cool. And that my body can create a freaking baby out of practically nothing. That's pretty badass, if you ask me.
I love learning more about you. About how you work and what actually happens inside my body and why you even exist. And I love paying attention to things like when exactly my boobs are hurting or how my discharge changes with my cycle or how much I bleed on each day. Because you know what? I think you're pretty cool, period.
Love, Lou
The highlight of the book were definitely the different diary entries by all kinds of different people. They made the book feel personal and unique. And they sounded like a lot of fun to write, so here's mine:
Dear period,
This may sound a bit weird, but I actually like you. Sure, I complain whenever you arrive and I would really appreciate it if you were a tiny bit more predictable and if you could maybe turn down the cramps a little, but still. I like you. And I don't even really know why. I guess it's because you remind me that, actually, bodies are really cool. And that my body can create a freaking baby out of practically nothing. That's pretty badass, if you ask me.
I love learning more about you. About how you work and what actually happens inside my body and why you even exist. And I love paying attention to things like when exactly my boobs are hurting or how my discharge changes with my cycle or how much I bleed on each day. Because you know what? I think you're pretty cool, period.
Love, Lou
April 30, 2021
Tw: infertility, depression, sexual assault, miscarriage, abortion
EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS!!!!
Just as brilliant and informative as the first one!! I've certainly learned things that I wasn't taught in school and may have gone the rest of my life not knowing they exist. Like 2 different kinds of the hormonal contraceptive pill (combined and the progestogen-only pill) and the fact that the dummy pills that give you "withdrawal bleeds" aren't necessary and you don't have to have that week break if you don't want to.
Having a period has so much admin, from buying the products that are necessary for day to day life, the cramps, the acne, the weight gain - that after reading this and being more informed in what my opitions are for stopping my period all together from happening is so empowering and something I'm certainly considering.
This has a wealth of knowledge that I'd otherwise by blind to and should be widely more known to not only people that have periods but to everyone so we're understood and taken more seriously when we think something is wrong.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS!!!!
Just as brilliant and informative as the first one!! I've certainly learned things that I wasn't taught in school and may have gone the rest of my life not knowing they exist. Like 2 different kinds of the hormonal contraceptive pill (combined and the progestogen-only pill) and the fact that the dummy pills that give you "withdrawal bleeds" aren't necessary and you don't have to have that week break if you don't want to.
Having a period has so much admin, from buying the products that are necessary for day to day life, the cramps, the acne, the weight gain - that after reading this and being more informed in what my opitions are for stopping my period all together from happening is so empowering and something I'm certainly considering.
This has a wealth of knowledge that I'd otherwise by blind to and should be widely more known to not only people that have periods but to everyone so we're understood and taken more seriously when we think something is wrong.
July 2, 2019
The Hormone Diaries by YouTube sex educator Hannah Witton is a fascinating and empathetic look at periods, hormones and all of the other strange things that go on in AFAB (assigned-female-at-birth) bodies. It covers often-ignored topics such as gynaecological disorders, trans experiences with hormones, and menopause – which are interesting and important to learn about even for those who are not affected by them.
The highlight of the book for me was the inclusion of actual ‘hormone diaries’ or letters from Witton’s online fans. These began by addressing specific topics, such as ‘Dear my pill…’, ‘Dear HRT…’, ‘Dear endometriosis…’ etc., and provided insight into a wide array of personal experiences. Witton’s writing is casual, friendly and humorous as well as informative, and the letters complement this well. They bring personality to the topics that Witton’s own experiences do not include, such as in the sections on disorders, trans experiences, and pregnancy.
While Witton is not a medical professional, she is very passionate about the topic and a clearly huge amount of research has gone into this book. The fact that she is not a doctor is, I feel, a positive; it aids the book’s accessibility, and makes its voice feel like a knowledgeable friend rather than a teacher. She encourages readers to go to their doctor about any concerns rather than trusting the book alone, and emphasises that the purpose of the book is not to diagnose but to understand and empathise.
In short, I’d highly recommend this book to anyone, whether you have periods or not. If you do, you might feel less alone, but no matter who you are there is something to learn about the experiences of others. Especially right now, it’s important to embrace that kind of empathy, rethink your assumptions, and break down taboos.
(see https://havefunstormingthecastle.home... for a longer version of this review)
The highlight of the book for me was the inclusion of actual ‘hormone diaries’ or letters from Witton’s online fans. These began by addressing specific topics, such as ‘Dear my pill…’, ‘Dear HRT…’, ‘Dear endometriosis…’ etc., and provided insight into a wide array of personal experiences. Witton’s writing is casual, friendly and humorous as well as informative, and the letters complement this well. They bring personality to the topics that Witton’s own experiences do not include, such as in the sections on disorders, trans experiences, and pregnancy.
While Witton is not a medical professional, she is very passionate about the topic and a clearly huge amount of research has gone into this book. The fact that she is not a doctor is, I feel, a positive; it aids the book’s accessibility, and makes its voice feel like a knowledgeable friend rather than a teacher. She encourages readers to go to their doctor about any concerns rather than trusting the book alone, and emphasises that the purpose of the book is not to diagnose but to understand and empathise.
In short, I’d highly recommend this book to anyone, whether you have periods or not. If you do, you might feel less alone, but no matter who you are there is something to learn about the experiences of others. Especially right now, it’s important to embrace that kind of empathy, rethink your assumptions, and break down taboos.
(see https://havefunstormingthecastle.home... for a longer version of this review)
May 30, 2020
EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS.
Yes, individuals who experience periods. And those who do not. EVERYONE. MUST. READ. THIS.
If there was a book that I could have gifted to my insecure, unwitting, and naive 13-year-old self, it would have been this one. After I had finished this book, I thought, FINALLY. FINALLY a book that somehow condenses the intricacies of hormones and their associated effects without being overly simplistic, and certainly never dry or condescending. FINALLY a book that is candid, relatable, and so utterly empathetic to the struggles, big or small, acute or long-term, of every menstruating individual. Finally.
Hannah Witton (to whom I've already subscribed on YouTube) is your unabashed, informed and matter-of-fact best friend. This is how I felt while reading this book. I was able to learn and re-learn concepts, ideas and explore experiences while feeling as Witton was right by my side, laughing and crying alongside me. Recommended for ages 15+, I strongly believe that this book should be a staple in all middle and high schools, because, although Witton acknowledges she is not a doctor, the research and quality of her content far exceeds the material often offered in health class. One chapter that I particularly enjoyed - and truly learned so much from - was the chapter on "Hormones and Being Trans". As a straight, cis-gender female, reading about the trans-experience, the associated acronyms and terms, and the leading role that hormones play, I realised how woefully uninformed I was, and that I had to educate myself if I was to really be supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community.
It was also lots of fun to read during my morning commutes with the incredible cover art.
READ THIS BOOK!
Yes, individuals who experience periods. And those who do not. EVERYONE. MUST. READ. THIS.
If there was a book that I could have gifted to my insecure, unwitting, and naive 13-year-old self, it would have been this one. After I had finished this book, I thought, FINALLY. FINALLY a book that somehow condenses the intricacies of hormones and their associated effects without being overly simplistic, and certainly never dry or condescending. FINALLY a book that is candid, relatable, and so utterly empathetic to the struggles, big or small, acute or long-term, of every menstruating individual. Finally.
Hannah Witton (to whom I've already subscribed on YouTube) is your unabashed, informed and matter-of-fact best friend. This is how I felt while reading this book. I was able to learn and re-learn concepts, ideas and explore experiences while feeling as Witton was right by my side, laughing and crying alongside me. Recommended for ages 15+, I strongly believe that this book should be a staple in all middle and high schools, because, although Witton acknowledges she is not a doctor, the research and quality of her content far exceeds the material often offered in health class. One chapter that I particularly enjoyed - and truly learned so much from - was the chapter on "Hormones and Being Trans". As a straight, cis-gender female, reading about the trans-experience, the associated acronyms and terms, and the leading role that hormones play, I realised how woefully uninformed I was, and that I had to educate myself if I was to really be supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community.
It was also lots of fun to read during my morning commutes with the incredible cover art.
READ THIS BOOK!
December 6, 2019
Informative and easy to read. I really like the format and very glad that I can see Hannah and hear her voice throughout the book.
July 31, 2020
5/5.
Thoroughly enjoyed this as it's taught me so much about a topic I *thought* I already knew a lot about.
For more see: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDEydJxgeH-/
Thoroughly enjoyed this as it's taught me so much about a topic I *thought* I already knew a lot about.
For more see: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDEydJxgeH-/
November 29, 2022
Easy light read about the different problems with female bodies, and it feels good to know that you are not alone in this. Females are under represented and under researched in the medical field and it is great to see more books advocating and raising awareness on this.
June 20, 2019
No soy el público objetivo de este libro ni por asomo, pero que queráis que os diga, me parece que la labor que hace Hannah rompiendo tabús con respecto a temas como el sexo, la menstruación... etc. eran mur necesarios.
Este es el libro perfecto si eres una adolescentes que acaba de empezar a tener la menstruación y se encuentra perdida dentro del basto mundo de la regla.
Este es el libro perfecto si eres una adolescentes que acaba de empezar a tener la menstruación y se encuentra perdida dentro del basto mundo de la regla.
December 15, 2019
Honestly, this book didn't speak to me as much as Doing It! did, but I've added an extra star for the form it was written in; I think the strongest part is the inclusion of so many different perspectives. It broadened my knowledge on various topics that I would've never picked up on if it weren't for this book. So for that, thank you, Hannah!
October 5, 2019
I always enjoy Hannah's books. They're interesting and presented in a real friendly but straight forward way. I was very fortunate in my sex education, so I didn't personally learn all that much from reading this, but I think it's a brilliant resource. Especially for people in their mid-teens.
April 5, 2024
I've been a fan of Hannah's for about 7-8 years and I've been looking for this book ever since it came out. I was finally able to find it. Now that Hannah's no longer making videos on her YT channel and episodes of podcast, I've missed hearing her voice.
March 10, 2020
3.5/5
Ein guter Einstieg ins Thema, aber teilweise fehlten mir noch mehr Details oder Fakten
Ein guter Einstieg ins Thema, aber teilweise fehlten mir noch mehr Details oder Fakten
August 3, 2020
3.5 stars
June 2, 2021
I loved all the diary entries from people all over the world.
July 6, 2021
Informative and straight to the point - expected nothing less from a book written by Hannah Witton!
June 14, 2020
A wonderfully easy to read, very informative book. I had a whole spectrum of emotions reading this book and reading people’s personal experiences. The language used is very inclusive of all people (from a cis gendered point of view but Hannah is very good at addressing inclusivity in her writing). Well worth a read!
June 13, 2019
‘When Hannah Witton started documenting her journey coming off the pill and re-getting her period, she wasn’t anticipating the reaction, from people of all ages, that talking about it would bring. It exposed a glaring gap – the resources and the spaces to talk honestly about periods just aren’t there. And with more and more research showing that your period and your hormones can affect literally every area of your life, this is a problem.
Inspired by her YouTube series of the same name, The Hormone Diaries draws on Hannah’s own experiences and, through crowdsourcing on her social media platforms, those of her fans too. With her trademark honesty and humour, Hannah explores and demystifies topics surrounding periods, hormones and contraception, to offer readers support, information and advice.
The definitive period self-help book 50% of the world has been waiting for!’
This book is awesome.
I was very excited to get my hands on this book. After reading Doing It! by Hannah Witton I knew that this would be another book that I needed in my life.
Hannah Witton has done a fantastic job with this book. It was fun and educational. I was surprised by how much I learnt whilst reading this book. I guess that was her point though, we don’t talk about our periods so there is so much that we don’t know about them.
I love Hannah’s writing style so much. It makes you feel like you are having a conversation with a friend not reading a book. This made it really easy for me to both laugh and cry as I made my way through this book.
This book covered so many interesting subject around hormones and it also include some very moving, funny and a times heartbreaking letters from real people talking about their real life experiences.
I read this book in one sitting but I can guarantee I will be reading it again many times in the future.
The Hormone Diaries by Hannah Witton is a must read for everyone.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Inspired by her YouTube series of the same name, The Hormone Diaries draws on Hannah’s own experiences and, through crowdsourcing on her social media platforms, those of her fans too. With her trademark honesty and humour, Hannah explores and demystifies topics surrounding periods, hormones and contraception, to offer readers support, information and advice.
The definitive period self-help book 50% of the world has been waiting for!’
This book is awesome.
I was very excited to get my hands on this book. After reading Doing It! by Hannah Witton I knew that this would be another book that I needed in my life.
Hannah Witton has done a fantastic job with this book. It was fun and educational. I was surprised by how much I learnt whilst reading this book. I guess that was her point though, we don’t talk about our periods so there is so much that we don’t know about them.
I love Hannah’s writing style so much. It makes you feel like you are having a conversation with a friend not reading a book. This made it really easy for me to both laugh and cry as I made my way through this book.
This book covered so many interesting subject around hormones and it also include some very moving, funny and a times heartbreaking letters from real people talking about their real life experiences.
I read this book in one sitting but I can guarantee I will be reading it again many times in the future.
The Hormone Diaries by Hannah Witton is a must read for everyone.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
July 1, 2019
This is such an accessible, entertaining and informative book on periods, hormonal contraception and all of the challenges of being a menstruating human! The letters from fans are so effective and really bring the book to life! It’s incredible to see such an inclusive book on this topic, especially of trans people. I wish I could have read this book when I was in the first few years of my periods. It was so validating to hear that I wasn’t alone in certain experiences.
The only things I would have liked to have seen included were more on how being disabled (by something other than a reproductive system/hormone related illness) can specifically affect experiences of hormones and periods, and a bit on the experiences of intersex people. However, I realise you can’t always include everything and I’m only being so picky because I hold Hannah’s work in such high regard- The Hormone Diaries does much more to be actively inclusive than pretty much any other educational/ advice book I’ve ever read and is very very good overall. I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn more on the subject!
9/10
The only things I would have liked to have seen included were more on how being disabled (by something other than a reproductive system/hormone related illness) can specifically affect experiences of hormones and periods, and a bit on the experiences of intersex people. However, I realise you can’t always include everything and I’m only being so picky because I hold Hannah’s work in such high regard- The Hormone Diaries does much more to be actively inclusive than pretty much any other educational/ advice book I’ve ever read and is very very good overall. I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn more on the subject!
9/10
July 10, 2019
We need more books like this
April 1, 2020
Honest, unashamed and educational - my fave
February 16, 2020
Relatable, short and sharp and to the point. However it was basic. I had hoped it would go into more depth about the topics she discussed but instead it was very short explanations of the main topics with lots of snippets of people’s personal experiences which read like reading people’s diary entries. Which isn’t a bad thing just not what I had hoped to read entirely.
May 4, 2020
Reading this a few years too late! A basic guide to your newly-bleeding fanny.
October 10, 2019
The book is not only for young girls, but for anyone who cares about the sex hormones, i.e., oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
As the title suggests, the book is about our periods and everything around them, such as how it all started, what happens during a menstrual cycle, PMS (premenstrual syndrom), together with very practical tips indeed. One of those is how to remove blood stains from clothes and bedding. I didn't know until now that we only need cold water, salt, and lemon juice. Just squeeze lemon juice on the stained area, then scrub it with salt. Soak it in cold water for at least 30' (best overnight). Et voila!
The part then covered period products. Advantages and disadvantages of each was discussed, as well as how to use them. With other stuff around our periods to think/worry about, I like the book's message regarding period products: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The finally part was a very interesting one: Can one have sex when they are having a period? The last taboo, is it not?
The second part of the book was about contraception, which is not only about the pill. Expect to see things you didn't get educated at school, e.g., the injection, the patch, vagina ring, only to name a few. Oh, fertility awareness was mentioned as well. And libido and contraception for men.
Part three was a very informative one. It was about disorders, diseases, and infections. The most common disorders were included, including endometriosis, UTIs, thrush, Vaginismus, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), ovarian cyst, the Turner syndrome - which is a rare one. I found the section Going to the doctor extremely helpful one. From preparing what to tell your doc, to getting yourself mentally ready for the appointment, and where to start at the doc's, and very important, what to dress on the day. Luckily I read the book just the night before I saw my doctor, I could applied what was said in the book immediately. And yes it really helped.
Part four talked about hormones and being trans. Even if you are not a trans, you will find the section worth a read. Just because it will help you understand trans folks around you.
Part five was on pregnancy. Topics covered included the stages of pregnancy, miscarriage, and abortion. The book ended with a short section on menopause. I wish I had been informed about it before, so that I could have understood my mum better...
Overall, I highly recommend the book.
As the title suggests, the book is about our periods and everything around them, such as how it all started, what happens during a menstrual cycle, PMS (premenstrual syndrom), together with very practical tips indeed. One of those is how to remove blood stains from clothes and bedding. I didn't know until now that we only need cold water, salt, and lemon juice. Just squeeze lemon juice on the stained area, then scrub it with salt. Soak it in cold water for at least 30' (best overnight). Et voila!
The part then covered period products. Advantages and disadvantages of each was discussed, as well as how to use them. With other stuff around our periods to think/worry about, I like the book's message regarding period products: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The finally part was a very interesting one: Can one have sex when they are having a period? The last taboo, is it not?
The second part of the book was about contraception, which is not only about the pill. Expect to see things you didn't get educated at school, e.g., the injection, the patch, vagina ring, only to name a few. Oh, fertility awareness was mentioned as well. And libido and contraception for men.
Part three was a very informative one. It was about disorders, diseases, and infections. The most common disorders were included, including endometriosis, UTIs, thrush, Vaginismus, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), ovarian cyst, the Turner syndrome - which is a rare one. I found the section Going to the doctor extremely helpful one. From preparing what to tell your doc, to getting yourself mentally ready for the appointment, and where to start at the doc's, and very important, what to dress on the day. Luckily I read the book just the night before I saw my doctor, I could applied what was said in the book immediately. And yes it really helped.
Part four talked about hormones and being trans. Even if you are not a trans, you will find the section worth a read. Just because it will help you understand trans folks around you.
Part five was on pregnancy. Topics covered included the stages of pregnancy, miscarriage, and abortion. The book ended with a short section on menopause. I wish I had been informed about it before, so that I could have understood my mum better...
Overall, I highly recommend the book.
August 10, 2019
THIS WAS SO GOOD! It was everything I hoped and dreamed of. I really do think it will help change things when it comes to periods and sex politics. Everybody, whether you menstrate or not, should pick this up and give it a go. Maybe to have a laugh. Maybe to relate. Maybe just to learn something.
I really enjoyed the writing in this. Hannah has become such a grown author in my opinion, structuring sentences and paragraphs more effectively. She seems to translate terminology from the sex world in to “every person speak” so that we can understand what that means for us and our own experiences. She’s kinda always been like that, but it’s really prominent in this book. Especially in the way her writing is structured and flows so well. I also loved the gender inclusive language, and the entire section on people who are trans and/or non-binary. Hannah breaks down gender/sex discussions in such an easy, understandable way that it’s impossible not to vibe with and support.
However, and this is a mini however, I did find that the little letters inserted as anecdotes from other’s experiences were cringey to me. It wasn’t the stories told, or subjects being discussed, it was literally just the way they were formatted. I can see why they were included, and did break up large chunks of information, but they did come off as a bit cheesy for my taste. The experiences also seemed to tell those of straight, western people. It would’ve been nice to include more stories from LGBTQ+ menstrators explicitly (typically lesbians and bisexuals as we have a hard time with puberty and hormones) and periods differing in different countries, continents and cultures. Although it was mentioned briefly, this could’ve been a great opportunity to also include the other side to sex positivity: being asexual, and how that has an impact on puberty. I feel like it was just missing, although partially present.
That being said, none of those things take away from this book’s usefulness. I found out about so many disorders, and deep delved into the history of the pill. The relationship between contraceptives and Catholicism was extremely interesting, as well as learning about possible male contraceptives in the future. I truly believe everybody should give this a try, and maybe we can change how we, as a society, view periods and our bodies in general :)
I really enjoyed the writing in this. Hannah has become such a grown author in my opinion, structuring sentences and paragraphs more effectively. She seems to translate terminology from the sex world in to “every person speak” so that we can understand what that means for us and our own experiences. She’s kinda always been like that, but it’s really prominent in this book. Especially in the way her writing is structured and flows so well. I also loved the gender inclusive language, and the entire section on people who are trans and/or non-binary. Hannah breaks down gender/sex discussions in such an easy, understandable way that it’s impossible not to vibe with and support.
However, and this is a mini however, I did find that the little letters inserted as anecdotes from other’s experiences were cringey to me. It wasn’t the stories told, or subjects being discussed, it was literally just the way they were formatted. I can see why they were included, and did break up large chunks of information, but they did come off as a bit cheesy for my taste. The experiences also seemed to tell those of straight, western people. It would’ve been nice to include more stories from LGBTQ+ menstrators explicitly (typically lesbians and bisexuals as we have a hard time with puberty and hormones) and periods differing in different countries, continents and cultures. Although it was mentioned briefly, this could’ve been a great opportunity to also include the other side to sex positivity: being asexual, and how that has an impact on puberty. I feel like it was just missing, although partially present.
That being said, none of those things take away from this book’s usefulness. I found out about so many disorders, and deep delved into the history of the pill. The relationship between contraceptives and Catholicism was extremely interesting, as well as learning about possible male contraceptives in the future. I truly believe everybody should give this a try, and maybe we can change how we, as a society, view periods and our bodies in general :)
March 31, 2023
I love how inclusive this book is. I enjoyed Hannah's narration on the audiobook. I definitely learnt some things! For example... You can use lemon juice and salt to remove bloodstains. Ovaries produce testosterone. "The pill" isn't just one thing, and it's no longer necessarily recommended that you come off your contraceptive pill for 7 days each month for a withdrawal bleed (check with your doctor). In the original trials for a contraceptive pill, multiple women died, no autopsies were carried out and the pill was approved.
We've come far from those days, yet female health is still so under-research. So interesting to hear how medical advice has changed and continues to change over the years. We are only beginning to see many people's experiences (things like the connection between taking the pill and depression - which for years have been brushed off by many medical professionals) backed up by studies and data. I can't believe how different the world was when my grandmother was my age, how many rights I take for granted now that she didn't have until after she'd already had multiple kids.
UK:
1961 - pill is launched but only for married women
1967 - abortion legalised under certain conditions
1967 - homosexuality decriminalised in England & Wales (1980 in Scotland, 1982 in NI)
1974 - family planning clinics were allowed to prescribe single women with the pill
1984 - first emergency contraception pill ("morning-after" pill)
1991 - determined that under UK law it was possible for a man to rape his wife
2003 - the illegality of rape within marriage was laid out explicitly under the Sexual Offences Act
My brother bought this audiobook and recommended it to me - how cool is he. A really interesting read which covers a variety of subjects related to hormones and menstruation. Some parts of this book I felt well educated on while others I learnt alot reading it, it was all very engaging. I was particularly interested by the part on disorders, diseases and infections - as the letters from people telling their experiences gave that part added insight. I'm now excited to read Hannah Witton's other book Doing It.
We've come far from those days, yet female health is still so under-research. So interesting to hear how medical advice has changed and continues to change over the years. We are only beginning to see many people's experiences (things like the connection between taking the pill and depression - which for years have been brushed off by many medical professionals) backed up by studies and data. I can't believe how different the world was when my grandmother was my age, how many rights I take for granted now that she didn't have until after she'd already had multiple kids.
UK:
1961 - pill is launched but only for married women
1967 - abortion legalised under certain conditions
1967 - homosexuality decriminalised in England & Wales (1980 in Scotland, 1982 in NI)
1974 - family planning clinics were allowed to prescribe single women with the pill
1984 - first emergency contraception pill ("morning-after" pill)
1991 - determined that under UK law it was possible for a man to rape his wife
2003 - the illegality of rape within marriage was laid out explicitly under the Sexual Offences Act
My brother bought this audiobook and recommended it to me - how cool is he. A really interesting read which covers a variety of subjects related to hormones and menstruation. Some parts of this book I felt well educated on while others I learnt alot reading it, it was all very engaging. I was particularly interested by the part on disorders, diseases and infections - as the letters from people telling their experiences gave that part added insight. I'm now excited to read Hannah Witton's other book Doing It.
January 6, 2024
La información en este libro ya la sabía casi toda, pero no por eso me gustó menos, sino que me hizo pensar en lo afortunada que soy por haber podido acceder a toda esa información y al adecuado cuidado de la salud.
Y aún así, la violencia médica/gineco-obstétrica es uno de mis mayores miedos. Recuerdo que mi mamá me contó que le dijeron en el issste que no tenía nada, pero cuando fue con su ginecóloga privada (porque siempre iba a ambos, por aquello de la burocracia) le dijo "eso que tuviste fue amenaza de aborto, reposo!" y nada, así estoy en este mundo.
También recuerdo que mi tía, que sufrió mucho con su periodo de adolescente por su endometriosis, siempre alentaba a mi mamá a que nos llevara a revisar, y así fue como me diagnosticaron síndrome de ovario poliquístico como a los 18.
Esto, y en general que desde pequeña estoy acostumbrada a ir al doctor hasta que me den una respuesta (no en vano mi madre me tuvo peregrinando en el issste de pequeña hasta que averiguamos que tenía una alergia y tuve tratamiento), me ha permitido llegar a mis 29 años de vida sabiendo la mayor parte de lo que dice el libro (no en balde encontré el canal de la autora cuando estaba buscando información sobre el DIU hormonal). Pero sé que no es lo común, ni en el "pueblo" de donde soy ni en la ciudad de México.
Ojalá que este libro estuviera traducido al español, porque definitivamente se lo recomendaría a toda persona con útero de cualquier edad.
Pd. Escuché el audiolibro leído por la autora y me gustó bastante, aunque es una lástima que tuviera que recurrir a ello debido al mal formato de la edición en Kindle.
Y aún así, la violencia médica/gineco-obstétrica es uno de mis mayores miedos. Recuerdo que mi mamá me contó que le dijeron en el issste que no tenía nada, pero cuando fue con su ginecóloga privada (porque siempre iba a ambos, por aquello de la burocracia) le dijo "eso que tuviste fue amenaza de aborto, reposo!" y nada, así estoy en este mundo.
También recuerdo que mi tía, que sufrió mucho con su periodo de adolescente por su endometriosis, siempre alentaba a mi mamá a que nos llevara a revisar, y así fue como me diagnosticaron síndrome de ovario poliquístico como a los 18.
Esto, y en general que desde pequeña estoy acostumbrada a ir al doctor hasta que me den una respuesta (no en vano mi madre me tuvo peregrinando en el issste de pequeña hasta que averiguamos que tenía una alergia y tuve tratamiento), me ha permitido llegar a mis 29 años de vida sabiendo la mayor parte de lo que dice el libro (no en balde encontré el canal de la autora cuando estaba buscando información sobre el DIU hormonal). Pero sé que no es lo común, ni en el "pueblo" de donde soy ni en la ciudad de México.
Ojalá que este libro estuviera traducido al español, porque definitivamente se lo recomendaría a toda persona con útero de cualquier edad.
Pd. Escuché el audiolibro leído por la autora y me gustó bastante, aunque es una lástima que tuviera que recurrir a ello debido al mal formato de la edición en Kindle.
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