The New Hot: Taking on the Menopause with Attitude and Style

by Meg Mathews

"Brutally honest, eye-wateringly detailed, funny, informative and crammed with practical advice ... compelling, essential reading." You magazine

"I want to break down the taboos and communicate frankly about the menopause ... This book is about giving you the knowledge of what to look out for and how to own it." Meg Mathews

When Meg Mathews hit menopause she was shocked at the lack of awareness, understanding and support shown to women - and also found the information available far too dreary. After getting her symptoms under control she became determined to help other women avoid an experience like hers.

The New Hot is her no-holds-barred guide to menopause designed to entertain and empower women in equal measure. It's full of Meg's personal insights as well as the latest information and advice from a wide range of menopause and lifestyle experts. Together they cover a wide range of issues,

- What the hell is going on ? (a meno-audit of the 34 possible symptoms and how to start taking control)
- Hey Doc! I need help (how to ask your GP for the right support and treatment for you)
- Eat to beat your hormones (food as medicine, gut health, supplements and a meno-friendly eating plan)
- Look alive (skin-saving beauty and style tips)
- Vagina SOS (all about 'down-there' healthcare and two pelvic floor exercises that really help)
- To HRT or not HRT ? That is the question (the hot topic of benefits, options, risks and who can have it)
- Menopause au naturel (managing menopause symptoms naturally when HRT isn't for you)
- Let's get physical (why exercise matters, how to do it and a 5-minute workout)
- Meg's meno-dictionary (a quick guide to medical terms your doctor might use)

Honest, empowering and entertaining, The New Hot will help you take on the menopause - and keep your sense of self, style and humour intact. Two-colour throughout with line illustrations.


The expert's view on pp. 224-225 of The New Hot was incorrectly attributed to Tania Adib. Please note that it was written by Dr Larisa Corda, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility Expert.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Science

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ericka Clou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting information, some scary information. To my knowledge I have no symptoms yet, I'm just trying to prepare to recognize symptoms and be as prepared as possible (to be as healthy as possible) when I do, and in that it does give me some preparation info.

[Tanya Pankhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I wish I had 7 years ago when I first started with my menopause journey. It is filled with personal stories, medical information, has a chapters on male and trans menopause, and a chapter to give to your loved once so they can understand and help.

For many women menopause is a non-event but for many it is a time of confusion and despair. Coupled to this many a doctor (more than likely male) play down the symptoms and simply set as something woman must ‘get on with’.

Books like this are pivotal in helping woman understand what they are going through, so that they can make the right choices for their health care. Who says we need to go through menopause feeling less than when there is more than enough help available.

With a forward by Dr Louise Newson a leading menopause doctor in the UK who runs her own menopause clinic, podcast, and has developed an app designed to get help woman track their symptoms, it is in my opinion an essential read.

[Paula Corker · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so. 2.75. Some useful information, probably better suited to someone who’s interested in Meg Mathews’ beauty range, website, instagram page, podcast etc

[Charissa Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed the chatty style of this book covering more aspects of menopause than I had considered before. It was interesting to read from different experts in the field but I did feel some of the things Meg talked about doing/having to help her combat symptoms are way out of the reach of many people realistically. It’s a good starting point to follow up on particular issues that may affect individuals. I read it as a e-book but it may be better as an actual book so you can flick to a particular section more easily.

[Pam Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I’ve read about Menopause. Lots of information and written in a really friendly and easy to read way. The illustrations are wonderful too. The fact that Trans and Male menopause is included is fantastic. Well done Meg!

[Nikki Vallance · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you are a 'woman of a certain age' born in the sixties or seventies you have probably spent your whole life having to educate yourself about your body.

For our parents' generation many subjects were taboo and not to spoken about. Periods, sexual relationships, orgasms, you name it, there was a void of discussions on these topics. Without the internet we stumbled around learning from friends at best or magazines with dubious advice at worst.

So when it comes to that very natural process which happens to half the population, the menopause we are used to having to search for answers.

Of course we are in a different world now and there is far more information and support available but I still think we have a long way to go in understanding the true impact it has or will have on all our lives. Yes, that goes for our children and partners too.

Everyone is different and experiences the changes in their body differently and whilst I thought I was well informed and prepared, I had huge gaps in my understanding, especially of the wide range of symptoms outside of the obvious hot flushes!

Meg's book is full of heartfelt, honest stories of how she has navigated her own way through the menopause, coupled with great succinct, practical advice from the experts.

If you're looking to do your research, The New Hot is a great place to start.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an account of Meg's journey through menopause, interspersed with advice and information from experts. Neither sections go into too much detail but I appreciated it as an accessible introduction to the topic which is what I think it's intended to be. There are chapters for young people going through early menopause and for trans men who are also contending with the effects of long term testosterone use. Again they skim the surface but make the point that a lot of different people are going through the menopause (or will at some point) so it's not just the stereotypical image of grey haired old ladies.

There was a bit too much emphasis on 'hot-ness', attitude and style, but the clue was in the title and it's a book written by someone who moves (or at least moved) in a world populated by people to which these things matter. I'm under no illusion that I'm going to glide through menopause and come out the other end hotter than ever ... but it's good to know that some women have embraced the change and feel empowered about their future.

I borrowed this one from the library - I don't think I would have bought it.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this book in a moment of premenopausal weakness. I should have known by the subtitle that this was not the book for me. A thinly veiled memoir padded with lots of white space and a good design. The “author” annoyed me endlessly, from one page to the next. Frankly, I’m done with women and their “hot mess” confessions. And she repeats herself several times throughout the book, no doubt to bump up the page count. Whatever. As other reviewers have said, the content relevant to dealing with menopause from the experts (which is hard to find weeded within the authors tiresome self obsession) is helpful.

[Lemonade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright, but not what I thought it would be. I thought it would have much more detailed information about hormones, what they all are, what they do, the functions they perform and differences in levels as women age, how to get hormones tested etc. Was an okay book, but unfortunately didn't tell me the things that I really wanted to know about.

[Kate Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bloody brilliant book with some great advice. Thank you Meg Matthew’s for a writing a book that is for women that actually is totally honest. Doesn’t shy away from topics such as sex. To many boring books written about the topic of menopause.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have been reading this book on and off rather than in one go. Has some useful information within. Some recommendations are outside what the average person can afford, but still an informative book.

[Alyson Indrunas · Rating 1 out of 5]

She's the only writer I've seen so far who mentions lesbians and trans issues with menopause. That's refreshing. Just not the book I need. Also, I didn't know who she was, but I am going to give celebrities a chance until I can't take it anymore.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not get much out of this one, but it was still interesting to read all the things she's learned and tried, and the expert-interludes are sometimes informative. She does go on a bit about things like crystal energy, so caveat emptor.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally something about menopause that I could read, understand and even enjoy. Thank you Meg Mathews.

[Sara Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg's Menopause Manual is open honest and this is definitely written with attitude! Really informative and from so many different angles. We definitely need to talk more about this stuff.

[Liz Boyd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hilarious. Thanks for doing this Meg, it cheered me up no end.

[Barb Hildebrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a fun topic but s necessary one. Lots of useful information.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really great information here. If you are going through menopause or expect to soon, I can highly recommend this.

[Angela Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative, will definitely be referring back to this

[Mia111 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good general overview of menopause. Advocate for more talks on this stage of men and women.

[Karey Hudson]

Audio

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical. V useful. Full of facts and different options for each symptom discussed. I liked the little bit about the writers own experience and lots of recommendations for more reading. Thank you!

[Sally Winer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman has to read this book, it’s comforting, it’s like a session in therapy. Loved it xx

[Amanda Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with lots of tips and advice, I think I'm just entering the peri menopause stage, I've invested in some CBD oil and will keep an eye on symptoms.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and funny

Have been peri menopausal foe around 2 years now and am still in the category where I hate it or should I say hate some of the symptoms. I have no regrets at not having children nor do I want them. Happy with life overall but I hate these flushes and the tearfulness. Reading the book also informed me of other things and some techniques to try. Am already on waiting list for new wrist device to help with flushes. I know some devices are out but I want this particular one. Anyway have more respect for Meg Mathews. She is not someone I would have really thought about before other than the usual Oasis story. Highly recommend book.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone on the brink of menopause this was super useful to read. It's written in an easy to read way, covers many topics I wouldn't have even thought of and expert advice added for good measure. To anyone heading towards, going through or supporting anyone with menopause this is a valuable read.

[Deborah Bye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Informative but funny at times. I could really identify with slot of the symptoms and feelings. A shame that most of us have to battle with our GP to get listened to and even then get refused HRT.......I've been trying for four years and have now given up.