M Word

by Philippa Kaye

The menopause does not have to mean the end of your libido, of sex, of work, or of feeling like who you used to be. 'The M Word' is a complete one-stop guide to the peri-menopause and menopause, covering everything from understanding symptoms to managing relationships to which treatments really work. Discussing HRT as well as self-help and lifestyle tips, this book will be your companion through the years before, during and after the menopause.

Topics covered

Hot flushes and other physical symptoms
Psychological symptoms
Sex, libido and contraception
HRT and other treatments
Lifestyle changes
Health after the menopause
And much more!

Written in a positive, uplifting and light-hearted style, with plenty of quotes from real women, this book shows you how to not just survive, but thrive through the menopause, letting you remain you.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published February 13, 2020

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's ok, I was hoping for more information on exercise and diet and less a book that is all about the benefits of HRT.

[Tilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I am 34 and currently undergoing a medical menopause for the 3rd time in my life. This is because I have severe endometriosis and beig medically induced into the menopause helps to stop endometriosis from growing and therefore should reduce inflammation and pain.
Because of this, I have naturally become very interested in the Menopause and so when I saw this book, I was excited to read it.

The M Word is written by a UK GP and is a very well written, informative and interesting book. I found it covered the whole topic of peri-menopause and menopause very well. The book is split into 3 parts. The first part is "All About the Menopause" and goes into the biology and the general information about what the menopause is.
Part 2 is "The Menopause and me". It talks about hot flushes, the pelvic floor, menstrual bleeding, sex, health conditions after the menopause and the menopause and work. I found this a very interesting section and learned a lot.
Part 3 is about HRT and other menopause treatments. It has a lot of very useful information about HRT including the pros and cons. It also looks into other useful (and not useful but highly promoted) alternatives to HRT.

I found this book very easy to read and it was interesting and held my attention.
The reason why I couldn't give it 5 stars is that I don't think there was enough information on ALL the side effects before and during the menopause, which I think would have been very useful to help women know they are not alone with these symptoms. The author tends to focus on the more common side effects but I wish more of the lesser were covered too.
I also would have liked names of drugs to be listed in brackets when talking about their group of drugs or using more common names etc.

Overall, a very well written book that I think will help everyone that will go through the menopause and family members that want to understand it as well. I definitely recommend this book!

Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read. I'm thankful that i have read this before I'm fully in the throes of the menopause, but was surprised how much is already relevant to my physical and mental health now. To the point where I've wondered if some of the symptoms I've been experiencing are actually the perimenopause and not just "mental health" related.

She also covers other health issues (cancer, thyroid, osteoporosis) and how they can be effected when going through the menopause and the effects of medications, such as, but not only HRT.

I'm glad that more information is becoming available, its shocking (but not surprising) really that there's been such little information/guidance around something that affects half the population. I feel slightly more prepared but still overwhelmed. Would definitely recommend the physical copy of the book. I listened to it on audio but there are chapters that list medication and the pros and cons etc while extremely helpful i felt this is a section that would be better as a look up what's relevant to you. My mind wandered a bit when listening to lists of medication.

[Emily Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

More women need to read books like this

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I found this book interesting, especially as I'm pretty sure I'm Perimenopausal. However, I did end up feeling like it was sponsored by HRT. I get that as a Doctor the author will be trained and feel that HRT is the automatic option. And yes there are a couple of chapters that feature alternatives and good lifestyle changes. But the whole book felt like an advert for HRT and I would have liked the complimentary options to be given as each symptom was discussed, instead of all lumped together at the end.

I found the anecdotes by the different women very interesting and enjoyable. And I learnt a lot about the menopause.

[Cath Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful book on what to expect with the menopause (which should be more widely discussed generally!) and possible treatments. Much of the advice is along the lines of "see your GP" but it's reassuring just to know that actually it is ok to see your GP about menopause-related symptoms - and what symptoms could in fact be menopause-related.
(A stylistic quibble - probably about 75% of the exclamation marks were unnecessary and a touch irritating)

[Miss NA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should be reading this book! It should be issued to everyone at their 40+ check. A useful insight, even though I’m along the journey and already treating my symptoms, there was so much useful information for both women and men a must read. I have been recommending to everyone I know! The only thing missing is a more detailed section on good foods and exercises to do, that would compliment a brilliant book.

[Sally Tyrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The M word is a factual but easy to read guide to the menopause and all associated symptoms and treatments.
Set out in clearly defined chapters, easy to read and lighthearted!
I would say an essential read for all women and their partners, enlightenment is key!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

[Shruti Bhandari-Kothari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just had no idea I didn’t know as much about menopause, always assumed it will be a bit of hot flushes and no periods.

There is wealth of information in this book and it is a must read for men and women of all ages. Because directly or indirectly everyone is going to be affected by it.

[Lotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of what a woman goes through during peri and post menopause. Think of this book as a bible, one you can dip in and out of as symptoms, experiences and life changes what your menopause is like.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this and it was interesting but I think it's the kind of book that is best suited to a paper copy so you can flick back and forth.

[Juliet Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative. Easy to read.

[Paula Corker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sound scientific information. Solid advice. No nonsense style. Written by a GP and felt a bit like visiting a GP tbh. Only word of caution was that it wasn’t especially cheery.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightened and a good few real examples quoted in the book. I hope every human reads it

[Chickpea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative- learned some new information.

[Helen Abell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Informative. A must-read if you are considering going in HRT.