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Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too
A kick-ass book on menopause. Do yourself a favor and pick up this gem. Dr. Jen Gunter, bestselling author of The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto
Menopause and perimenopause are no laughing matter―but that doesn't stop Amanda Thebe from approaching her 50s with a sense of humor. In this hilarious and personal account, the fitness trainer shares how she lost weight, dealt with her depression, improved her sleep, and overhauled her diet to survive-and thrive―during menopause. Now you can, too!
Includes a Bonus Strength Training Guide for Women Over 40
At a time when menopause has become an urgent topic of public discussion, with the likes of Michelle Obama revealing their struggles for the first time, personal trainer Amanda Thebe shares her journey with bold and big-hearted writing that will be familiar to readers of Glennon Doyle. Readers will come away from the book
-A better understanding of your own hormones and how they factor in menopause and your overall health;
Confidence to speak your truth about your menopause symptoms to your doctor, other health professionals, your family, and friends;
-Zero bull-sh*t tips for nutrition, fitness, vagina health, sex, and more.
Amanda Thebe was working as a personal trainer and fitness coach when, at age 43, she started experiencing debilitating exhaustion, dizziness, and depression. The busy mother of two boys was used to traveling the world and climbing mountains. Now, she struggled to climb out of bed.
After several failed doctors appointments, Thebe saw her gynaecologist, who finally named the source of her perimenopause, the period of 5-10 years before menopause, when a woman's fluctuating estrogen levels put her at risk of depression, anxiety, headaches, and more ailments related to female hormone health.
Empowered by information, Thebe began her journey back to her former self, overhauling her approach to diet, mental health, and exercise. In Menopocalypse, she explains how to deal with migraines, hot flashes, weight gain, exhaustion, poor sleep, vaginal dryness, and mood swings-offering tips that have worked for her and others.
She shares information about hormone therapy. She even shares her own strength-training routine, complete with a suggested workout schedule, easy-to-follow instructions, and pictures of herself doing the exercises, so you can feel empowered, fit, and ready to tackle the day.
Menopause isn't fun, sexy, or cool, and a woman might spend one-third of her life in it-but that doesn't mean women should suffer in silence without support. Let the outspoken and honest Amanda Thebe be your guide to surviving-and thriving-during menopocalypse.
Menopause and perimenopause are no laughing matter―but that doesn't stop Amanda Thebe from approaching her 50s with a sense of humor. In this hilarious and personal account, the fitness trainer shares how she lost weight, dealt with her depression, improved her sleep, and overhauled her diet to survive-and thrive―during menopause. Now you can, too!
Includes a Bonus Strength Training Guide for Women Over 40
At a time when menopause has become an urgent topic of public discussion, with the likes of Michelle Obama revealing their struggles for the first time, personal trainer Amanda Thebe shares her journey with bold and big-hearted writing that will be familiar to readers of Glennon Doyle. Readers will come away from the book
-A better understanding of your own hormones and how they factor in menopause and your overall health;
Confidence to speak your truth about your menopause symptoms to your doctor, other health professionals, your family, and friends;
-Zero bull-sh*t tips for nutrition, fitness, vagina health, sex, and more.
Amanda Thebe was working as a personal trainer and fitness coach when, at age 43, she started experiencing debilitating exhaustion, dizziness, and depression. The busy mother of two boys was used to traveling the world and climbing mountains. Now, she struggled to climb out of bed.
After several failed doctors appointments, Thebe saw her gynaecologist, who finally named the source of her perimenopause, the period of 5-10 years before menopause, when a woman's fluctuating estrogen levels put her at risk of depression, anxiety, headaches, and more ailments related to female hormone health.
Empowered by information, Thebe began her journey back to her former self, overhauling her approach to diet, mental health, and exercise. In Menopocalypse, she explains how to deal with migraines, hot flashes, weight gain, exhaustion, poor sleep, vaginal dryness, and mood swings-offering tips that have worked for her and others.
She shares information about hormone therapy. She even shares her own strength-training routine, complete with a suggested workout schedule, easy-to-follow instructions, and pictures of herself doing the exercises, so you can feel empowered, fit, and ready to tackle the day.
Menopause isn't fun, sexy, or cool, and a woman might spend one-third of her life in it-but that doesn't mean women should suffer in silence without support. Let the outspoken and honest Amanda Thebe be your guide to surviving-and thriving-during menopocalypse.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2020
196 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 22, 2021
I received a galley of this book through Library Thing Early Reviewers.
I'm 41. I've been pretty aware of the unpleasantness of perimenopause for about 2 years now. It sucks. It sucks a lot. Therefore, I was happy to get an advanced release copy of this book--but I felt some trepidation, too. There is a lot of junk science out there around the subject of menopause, and I knew nothing about the author, Amanda Thebe. I didn't know what to expect.
Therefore, I was pleased to encounter a book that didn't focus on fad diets or miracle cures. Thebe's approach was blunt, honest, and sometimes profane: menopause sucks but here are some strategies to try to make it suck less. She addresses hormone replacement, incontinence, sexual issues, eating healthy (very common sense advice, too, no fads), stress, and exercise--including a fairly large portion near the end of the book with many photographs of different strength training moves along with a suggested regimen. Her attitude is always kind, and she's forthright about things she's tried or embarrassing things she's endured.
I enjoyed the healthy attitude of this book. This isn't a book that screams at the reader, 'You missed a day of exercise! Start this 100-day routine from day 1 again!' No, she emphasizes that some days are too busy, or frankly, too miserable to do a full work-out, so take care of yourself and do what you can. She has the same approach to food. She brings up that women in this age group need more protein, and that fruits, vegetables, and less-processed foods are the way to go, but no food is banned. It's a common sense approach that doesn't feel that common these days.
Not only am I going to keep this book around for reference, but I joined her sizable Facebook group, too. I'm curious about what else she has to say, as I know all too well I will need support as I go through this sucky stage of life.
I'm 41. I've been pretty aware of the unpleasantness of perimenopause for about 2 years now. It sucks. It sucks a lot. Therefore, I was happy to get an advanced release copy of this book--but I felt some trepidation, too. There is a lot of junk science out there around the subject of menopause, and I knew nothing about the author, Amanda Thebe. I didn't know what to expect.
Therefore, I was pleased to encounter a book that didn't focus on fad diets or miracle cures. Thebe's approach was blunt, honest, and sometimes profane: menopause sucks but here are some strategies to try to make it suck less. She addresses hormone replacement, incontinence, sexual issues, eating healthy (very common sense advice, too, no fads), stress, and exercise--including a fairly large portion near the end of the book with many photographs of different strength training moves along with a suggested regimen. Her attitude is always kind, and she's forthright about things she's tried or embarrassing things she's endured.
I enjoyed the healthy attitude of this book. This isn't a book that screams at the reader, 'You missed a day of exercise! Start this 100-day routine from day 1 again!' No, she emphasizes that some days are too busy, or frankly, too miserable to do a full work-out, so take care of yourself and do what you can. She has the same approach to food. She brings up that women in this age group need more protein, and that fruits, vegetables, and less-processed foods are the way to go, but no food is banned. It's a common sense approach that doesn't feel that common these days.
Not only am I going to keep this book around for reference, but I joined her sizable Facebook group, too. I'm curious about what else she has to say, as I know all too well I will need support as I go through this sucky stage of life.
December 16, 2020
When I saw this book, I thought it would be a very useful tool for my daughter and my daughter-in-law, and even my friend’s kids. I had long since passed through this phase of life. I had been lucky. I had few overt symptoms of menopause, and took to calling myself “our lady of the hot flash” when I had to deal with my most obvious symptom. My hot flashes occurred largely during the day, when my upper lip would suddenly look like it was blooming with water droplets, my face would turn red as a beet, and the top of my head would feel like it was boiling hot. It was at those times that my husband always felt compelled to tell me that my face was dripping. I always wondered why he thought I was not aware of that fact!
Truthfully, I was naïve, I had been sheltered, most of my life. I was not aware of the many other issues of menopause except for the fact that I knew that some women experienced deep sadness, sometimes for no obvious reason. A friend of mine was driven to tears by the vision of a can of peas on a supermarket shelf. She needed medication to get through menopause. For me, it seemed to be no big deal. Most of the time, I dealt with it calmly. One day, my periods simply stopped and never returned. I had a short temper, and it grew a little shorter. I never gave it much of a second thought. I had hot flashes during the day, not at night, so they were not debilitating. Medications had adverse effects on me, so I toughed it out without them. I was lucky. I had minimal symptoms of the “pause”.
Did I realize it would affect my bone density one day? No, I most certainly did not. I broke my wrist because a five pound bag of potatoes was wrapped around it when it slammed into the ground. Did I realize I would struggle with weight gain, which I had never had a problem with, and which used to infuriate a teenaged friend of mine as she gained weight watching me eat my ice cream sundaes? I had no such suspicion. Did I ever worry about insomnia? Not a chance. Sleep, was a no-brainer for me. I hit the pillow, and I was asleep in no time. If I was having a slight problem, I did a crossword puzzle and bingo, I had zzz’s. Do I sleep now? If I am honest, my answer is not very well. I don’t fight it, though. I do something to calm me down, so I can fall back to sleep. Most of the time, I am successful.
The author was in her late thirties, fairly young, when she realized something was happening to her mind and her body. A fitness guru, she bounced from doctor to doctor for several years before she was told she was in perimenopause and that was causing most of her problems. Menopause is a condition that has largely been ignored by the medical profession. Perimenopause is what happens to women before they actually go through menopause. The next stage is called post menopause.
Studies of various bodily malfunctions had always used men and had concentrated on those from which men suffered. As a result, little was known about the cycle of women’s bodies that led to menopause, when reproductive hormones lessened, and her psyche and physical body underwent many changes. In the past, women had often been diagnosed with mental or emotional disorders when menopause problems arose. Women were often misdiagnosed and mistreated.
To defeat the enemy her body was fighting, Amanda did what she could do to fight the symptoms and the loss of hormones. She learned to cope with, and to embrace, the problem. She learned to defeat it so it was not a problem, but a fact of life that all women endure. With this book she is teaching others how to do the same. There are foods to help with weight control, medications to help with mood swings, exercises to strengthen weakening muscles and activities to distract us from our symptoms and our aging. We can broaden our horizons in different ways, instead of shrinking it.
In the first part of this book, Amanda writes about the trials we women experience in midlife. In the second part, she gives women the tools to overcome the trials of menopause and to become better at living. Menopause is a stage of life; it is natural, and we can overcome it.
After reading this book, I am aware that my thickening middle when I was not pregnant, my unexplained bouts of fury, my resentment towards my husband for no apparent reason, and my fear of leaving my apartment although I desperately wanted to, were symptoms of menopause, along with the embarrassing water moustache that decorated my lip. I had accepted these things as my life, and I had tried to ignore them. Did I know my muscles would weaken as my reproductive hormones diminished? I did not. I did not know that my migraine headaches would disappear for a decade, only to return after a car accident. When my memory slipped a bit, I thought doesn’t everyone’s?
So now I must confess, this book, although decades late, answers many of my questions about my body and its failure to please me. It also makes me feel a lot less guilty about how I have reacted to my body. To me, menopause was a sad time of life because it meant I was old, could no longer bear children and would have less desire. I know now that it is much more than that; it is a fact of life and one simply has to do what is necessary to wade through the morass that accompanies it. At least I can be wiser, and more open minded, with my daughter and daughter-in-law, as they experience it now. It is not the end of one world, but the beginning of another.
Truthfully, I was naïve, I had been sheltered, most of my life. I was not aware of the many other issues of menopause except for the fact that I knew that some women experienced deep sadness, sometimes for no obvious reason. A friend of mine was driven to tears by the vision of a can of peas on a supermarket shelf. She needed medication to get through menopause. For me, it seemed to be no big deal. Most of the time, I dealt with it calmly. One day, my periods simply stopped and never returned. I had a short temper, and it grew a little shorter. I never gave it much of a second thought. I had hot flashes during the day, not at night, so they were not debilitating. Medications had adverse effects on me, so I toughed it out without them. I was lucky. I had minimal symptoms of the “pause”.
Did I realize it would affect my bone density one day? No, I most certainly did not. I broke my wrist because a five pound bag of potatoes was wrapped around it when it slammed into the ground. Did I realize I would struggle with weight gain, which I had never had a problem with, and which used to infuriate a teenaged friend of mine as she gained weight watching me eat my ice cream sundaes? I had no such suspicion. Did I ever worry about insomnia? Not a chance. Sleep, was a no-brainer for me. I hit the pillow, and I was asleep in no time. If I was having a slight problem, I did a crossword puzzle and bingo, I had zzz’s. Do I sleep now? If I am honest, my answer is not very well. I don’t fight it, though. I do something to calm me down, so I can fall back to sleep. Most of the time, I am successful.
The author was in her late thirties, fairly young, when she realized something was happening to her mind and her body. A fitness guru, she bounced from doctor to doctor for several years before she was told she was in perimenopause and that was causing most of her problems. Menopause is a condition that has largely been ignored by the medical profession. Perimenopause is what happens to women before they actually go through menopause. The next stage is called post menopause.
Studies of various bodily malfunctions had always used men and had concentrated on those from which men suffered. As a result, little was known about the cycle of women’s bodies that led to menopause, when reproductive hormones lessened, and her psyche and physical body underwent many changes. In the past, women had often been diagnosed with mental or emotional disorders when menopause problems arose. Women were often misdiagnosed and mistreated.
To defeat the enemy her body was fighting, Amanda did what she could do to fight the symptoms and the loss of hormones. She learned to cope with, and to embrace, the problem. She learned to defeat it so it was not a problem, but a fact of life that all women endure. With this book she is teaching others how to do the same. There are foods to help with weight control, medications to help with mood swings, exercises to strengthen weakening muscles and activities to distract us from our symptoms and our aging. We can broaden our horizons in different ways, instead of shrinking it.
In the first part of this book, Amanda writes about the trials we women experience in midlife. In the second part, she gives women the tools to overcome the trials of menopause and to become better at living. Menopause is a stage of life; it is natural, and we can overcome it.
After reading this book, I am aware that my thickening middle when I was not pregnant, my unexplained bouts of fury, my resentment towards my husband for no apparent reason, and my fear of leaving my apartment although I desperately wanted to, were symptoms of menopause, along with the embarrassing water moustache that decorated my lip. I had accepted these things as my life, and I had tried to ignore them. Did I know my muscles would weaken as my reproductive hormones diminished? I did not. I did not know that my migraine headaches would disappear for a decade, only to return after a car accident. When my memory slipped a bit, I thought doesn’t everyone’s?
So now I must confess, this book, although decades late, answers many of my questions about my body and its failure to please me. It also makes me feel a lot less guilty about how I have reacted to my body. To me, menopause was a sad time of life because it meant I was old, could no longer bear children and would have less desire. I know now that it is much more than that; it is a fact of life and one simply has to do what is necessary to wade through the morass that accompanies it. At least I can be wiser, and more open minded, with my daughter and daughter-in-law, as they experience it now. It is not the end of one world, but the beginning of another.
November 20, 2020
I wanted to love this book. Don't get me wrong - there is a lot of good info here if you have not already studied nutrition/fitness/wellness. I just didn't find enough new/specific menopause-related information for me. I was also struck by the conflict of the definite bias towards hormone therapy and the line from the epilogue which states that "your body is designed to handle" menopause. If my body is designed to go through menopause, why do I need HT? A little disappointed, all in all.
September 2, 2021
My elder sister (by a year, mind) recommended this book since she's freaking out about menopause, and I am the 'yeah, so what?' attitude. And our mother is long dead and useless at advising this sort of stuff anyway. (It's still a mystery to me how she came about to this book). I read it, so she has someone to discuss it with.
Meh. A bit over the top in terms of delivery and, at times, a bit immature. Bravo for her honesty. Thebe is like your worldly aunt who wanted to be cooler than your mom. I learn something about Menopause from this book but not whole a lot. Overall, I am wary of anyone advocating for prescribed drugs such as HT.
Meh. A bit over the top in terms of delivery and, at times, a bit immature. Bravo for her honesty. Thebe is like your worldly aunt who wanted to be cooler than your mom. I learn something about Menopause from this book but not whole a lot. Overall, I am wary of anyone advocating for prescribed drugs such as HT.
June 10, 2021
Meh… “a refreshing approach to managing menopause” etc etc. Not really, unless you’ve been living under a rock.
Nothing new, I had hoped for a light hearted, funny, anecdote and this was not it.
Nothing new, I had hoped for a light hearted, funny, anecdote and this was not it.
July 6, 2023
I’ve been following Amanda Thebe for a while because I find her fascination and struggle with menopause relatable. Timely, succinct, and informative…in a no BS way…with research-backed advice and an easy to follow plan. Every woman (and husband/partner) would benefit from reading this book. Highly recommend.
January 22, 2021
I went into immediate menopause following surgery at the age of 34. This book wasn’t written for me. There was some good information but mostly it was a list of things to be nervous about.
If you’re already fit and eating right, this book may be of interest. And while the author certainly intended for this book to be inclusive and for every woman, I felt isolated and hopeless reading through much of it.
If you’re already fit and eating right, this book may be of interest. And while the author certainly intended for this book to be inclusive and for every woman, I felt isolated and hopeless reading through much of it.
January 22, 2021
Content was beneficial but style? "Big, fat, juicy poop"? Really? I thought I was reading a book for mature women, not 5th grade boys. Change the "trying to hard" style, take away the teenage swearing and slang and you'd have a great book.
February 21, 2022
Im not quite there yet, so I feel like I can’t fairly rate how helpful this is. But the fact that no one really talks about menopause makes me think this is helpful. So 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
She repeats herself a bit or gives a break down of what she’s going to talk about and then talks about it which made me feel like she was filling page quotas.
I will say she gave me a bit of a kick to work on some habits NOW that will help me as I move into this season. I know it will make life easier if I do. So that’s a plus. And she waxes through lots of things that I think are likely (going to be) confusing and overwhelming so im able to process them a bit now to make them less scary when the time comes.
She repeats herself a bit or gives a break down of what she’s going to talk about and then talks about it which made me feel like she was filling page quotas.
I will say she gave me a bit of a kick to work on some habits NOW that will help me as I move into this season. I know it will make life easier if I do. So that’s a plus. And she waxes through lots of things that I think are likely (going to be) confusing and overwhelming so im able to process them a bit now to make them less scary when the time comes.
March 21, 2024
Yup. This explained a few things.
January 28, 2024
Any woman going through menopause should read this book. The author shares what’s going on during this phase of life, her own thoughts and tips to help women who are going through this phase of life, and she helps women feel like they are not absolutely insane.
I do not know or understand how nearly all women suffer greatly during menopause and yet there are not more people in the medical field helping us to manage some of the hellish symptoms. This book is really helpful!
I do not know or understand how nearly all women suffer greatly during menopause and yet there are not more people in the medical field helping us to manage some of the hellish symptoms. This book is really helpful!
April 13, 2021
An epic book that addresses the "second spring!" This is a no-nonsense, in-your-face, hilarious book about what women go through as they enter menopause, aka, the trilogy (peri, menopause, and post)! This addresses the symptoms from no sleeping, hot flashes, changes in our bodies, joint aches, headaches, vision, sex (yup said it), mood swings, guilt, anger, sadness, depression, and a myriad of ups and downs. She talks about self-care, group care, finding and feeling your way through this mess. A helpful book for both men and women. For the menfolk, read it so you can know it isn't about YOU...it is another layer of BS that we have to go through and no one is the same. It will also help you navigate and help your significant other. She also talks about healthy eating and gives you the foods to help you. As well as work out and how to balance. I read this with my ears but will also purchase the hard copy for reference. A MUST READ!!!!
December 16, 2020
I loved reading this book - firstly reading it cover to cover and since then delving back to specific chapters often for positive reinforcement to know that I’m not in this alone and others for common sense information on coping mechanisms on everything menopause related from mood swings to mindfulness! I particularly enjoyed the way Amanda holistically approaches menopause with a refreshing honesty, realism and wit. Each chapter tackles and delivers information on the many real issues surrounding peri and menopause in a straightforward and enjoyable way and is written with a candor that is utterly refreshing .
Is this the first most comprehensive tome on the subject that is menopause ? Absolutely not - but it is absolutely the first one I have thoroughly enjoyed reading for sure. If like me you are a woman of a certain age then this book is a must read
Is this the first most comprehensive tome on the subject that is menopause ? Absolutely not - but it is absolutely the first one I have thoroughly enjoyed reading for sure. If like me you are a woman of a certain age then this book is a must read
April 29, 2021
As a personal trainer, as well as a woman in my late 40's I found good info here, and appreciated her overall encouraging message that menopause isn't the end - it's merely another stage in life and we can continue to thrive even during menopause. A few readers have mentioned her style (regarding poops, or profanity) and while that's not my preference, it felt in line with her You-got-this message. Also, there's very little truly helpful info out there on this topic so it's great to read something that addresses it all.
Recommended.
Recommended.
April 24, 2022
A bit too “you go girl” for me, but there is scientific research in here and some practical tips.
December 26, 2022
DNF: didn’t like the tone and lack of in-text citations. Obviously, others disagree, so this may just be a me issue.
February 26, 2023
Menopocalypse by Amanda Thebe
This book came highly recommended by many of the fitness coaches I follow. It is about women’s menopause. I know many would instantly click away since it is not relevant to you at all, but if you are a woman who is nearing or in her 40s, or you know a woman who is nearing or in her 40s I suggest you give this review a wee bit time.
It is close to impossible to summarise the book, since I find that a single read through is not sufficient and one might have to go through relevant sections again. But I shall try and enlist the core sections and how they can help.
The author is a personal trainer with 20 years experience in fitness industry. This book is her attempt to demystify menopause for everyone, having gone through the worst set of symptoms herself and thrown into huge chaos.
The book first has a good explanation of what menopause is, the role of hormones in a woman’s life, how they change during menopause and what the effects could be. The experience can be so varied with some just sailing into menopause smoothly and some struggling with a myriad of issues and others somewhere between the two extremes. The author then goes through all the medical interventions possible today including HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).
The second part of the book is about lifestyle changes. Nutrition, exercise, activity, stress management, mindfulness, sleep and recovery - each of these is explained in depth , with doable action items on each front. What makes this book a real treasure is she actually gives a doable workout program, explains each move with pictures and cues. For those uninitiated in strength training, you are not left at sea with the motherhood instruction “Start strength training”.
Most women don’t know enough about menopause, and even peers talk about it to each other in cryptic whispers. This book blew the lid open for me on what it can be, how I can help myself when I encounter a symptom or change. Many things in the book really resonated with me.
Women spend their entire lives putting themselves last in the list of priorities. Whether working or homemaker, its the same. In the book the author really stresses the importance of placing oneself first at least at this stage of life.
The author repeatedly stresses on the fact that as women, we should take agency over our menopause experience and not suffer silently. Things can be better if we try and find ways by medical interventions and lifestyle changes.
She also says over and over again, work on everything we can control. There are things in our control such has lifestyle, and things not in our control such as hormonal swings. The first CAN mitigate the effects of the second to a very large extent.
If you have read till here and decide to check out the book, please don’t get intimidated by the book cover. Please don’t think its for fitness buffs who what to get big and muscular. Trust me, this book is for every woman who wants to have an informed and empowered menopause experience.
This book came highly recommended by many of the fitness coaches I follow. It is about women’s menopause. I know many would instantly click away since it is not relevant to you at all, but if you are a woman who is nearing or in her 40s, or you know a woman who is nearing or in her 40s I suggest you give this review a wee bit time.
It is close to impossible to summarise the book, since I find that a single read through is not sufficient and one might have to go through relevant sections again. But I shall try and enlist the core sections and how they can help.
The author is a personal trainer with 20 years experience in fitness industry. This book is her attempt to demystify menopause for everyone, having gone through the worst set of symptoms herself and thrown into huge chaos.
The book first has a good explanation of what menopause is, the role of hormones in a woman’s life, how they change during menopause and what the effects could be. The experience can be so varied with some just sailing into menopause smoothly and some struggling with a myriad of issues and others somewhere between the two extremes. The author then goes through all the medical interventions possible today including HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).
The second part of the book is about lifestyle changes. Nutrition, exercise, activity, stress management, mindfulness, sleep and recovery - each of these is explained in depth , with doable action items on each front. What makes this book a real treasure is she actually gives a doable workout program, explains each move with pictures and cues. For those uninitiated in strength training, you are not left at sea with the motherhood instruction “Start strength training”.
Most women don’t know enough about menopause, and even peers talk about it to each other in cryptic whispers. This book blew the lid open for me on what it can be, how I can help myself when I encounter a symptom or change. Many things in the book really resonated with me.
Women spend their entire lives putting themselves last in the list of priorities. Whether working or homemaker, its the same. In the book the author really stresses the importance of placing oneself first at least at this stage of life.
The author repeatedly stresses on the fact that as women, we should take agency over our menopause experience and not suffer silently. Things can be better if we try and find ways by medical interventions and lifestyle changes.
She also says over and over again, work on everything we can control. There are things in our control such has lifestyle, and things not in our control such as hormonal swings. The first CAN mitigate the effects of the second to a very large extent.
If you have read till here and decide to check out the book, please don’t get intimidated by the book cover. Please don’t think its for fitness buffs who what to get big and muscular. Trust me, this book is for every woman who wants to have an informed and empowered menopause experience.
November 21, 2024
This was a compilation of ageing basics pulled together well, without going deep into any of it, & nothing earth shattering was presented.
Reduce stress
Eat more protein
Eat more vegetables
Lift more weights
This reads like a blog.
A consistent annoyance for me with new health/self improvement books is the language. If you want me to take you seriously, you need to swear so much less than this. It’s not professional. It doesn’t bring you to the level of your reader; give us more credit than that.
I have a potty mouth, but I choose to not drop an f-bomb when meeting with a client or health professional. You definitely don’t need to intentionally include them in your book. Where are the editors?!
“Feck” 🙄
I also found her references to her husband immature. (He liked that her breasts grew, never admit that you’re wrong to your spouse, “shhhh don’t tell the hubby “, etc.)
Overall— it’s not terrible, but it wasn’t worth the time it took me to get through it.
Reduce stress
Eat more protein
Eat more vegetables
Lift more weights
This reads like a blog.
A consistent annoyance for me with new health/self improvement books is the language. If you want me to take you seriously, you need to swear so much less than this. It’s not professional. It doesn’t bring you to the level of your reader; give us more credit than that.
I have a potty mouth, but I choose to not drop an f-bomb when meeting with a client or health professional. You definitely don’t need to intentionally include them in your book. Where are the editors?!
“Feck” 🙄
I also found her references to her husband immature. (He liked that her breasts grew, never admit that you’re wrong to your spouse, “shhhh don’t tell the hubby “, etc.)
Overall— it’s not terrible, but it wasn’t worth the time it took me to get through it.
September 5, 2021
A Must Read for Us Menopausal Mommas!
For many of us menopause is a journey into the unknown, looking for the light at the end of the tunnel only to get run over by the train over and over again - or at least this is how I feel! I wanted to know not only what was going on with my body but seeking also a glimmer of hope that I have the ability to control what the hell is happening. This book is a wonderful balance of science and sarcasm, advice and answers, and self love and laughter. I not only learned symptoms I suffered were likely due to menopause, I learned how to fuel my body and soul to take on this journey in the most beautiful way possible. This is a must addition to every woman’s menopause library.
For many of us menopause is a journey into the unknown, looking for the light at the end of the tunnel only to get run over by the train over and over again - or at least this is how I feel! I wanted to know not only what was going on with my body but seeking also a glimmer of hope that I have the ability to control what the hell is happening. This book is a wonderful balance of science and sarcasm, advice and answers, and self love and laughter. I not only learned symptoms I suffered were likely due to menopause, I learned how to fuel my body and soul to take on this journey in the most beautiful way possible. This is a must addition to every woman’s menopause library.
November 5, 2024
Menopocalypse is exactly the guide I needed as an 80s baby hitting that ‘certain age.’ If you’re navigating the changes of menopause, this book is a lifeline. It dives deep into symptoms, gives practical options, and—most importantly—creates a sense of community for women experiencing the same things.
Author Amanda Thebe doesn’t just explain what’s happening in our bodies; she tackles the stigma and offers real, relatable advice for approaching this phase with strength and awareness. I found myself nodding along, feeling seen, and even a bit relieved to know I’m not alone in this. Menopocalypse is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand this journey, explore their options, and connect with other women who get it. Highly recommended!
Author Amanda Thebe doesn’t just explain what’s happening in our bodies; she tackles the stigma and offers real, relatable advice for approaching this phase with strength and awareness. I found myself nodding along, feeling seen, and even a bit relieved to know I’m not alone in this. Menopocalypse is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand this journey, explore their options, and connect with other women who get it. Highly recommended!
January 23, 2025
Well folks, this is a book you have to go get now, like right now. Whether or not you think you should read it, I'm telling you right now, this is a game changer. There is so much useful information that explains things in a way that makes it easy to understand. Menobrain is real & this book goes through all the various facts of menopause & how to cope w/ it. It just makes so much sense. There is a ton of info & being able to utilize the various recommendations are amazing. I suggest you add this to your book club or group of friends or whatever, do not miss out on all the great things the author talks about it. our body is changing & we can fight it & be miserable or take better care & try to get through it w/ less... well you know, everything. I am so glad I picked this book up.
July 19, 2021
Good book that covers many of the difficult aspects of menopause. It's very strange that for most other medical conditions (e.g. cancer, broken bones etc) there is a cure that doctors agree on and recommend, but for women and menopause it all seems to be a big guessing game. I guess the medical profession just isn't interested in middle age female issues. Unfortunately there seems to be no 'one fits all' cure or fix. An interesting book which talks about the author's own experience. This books focuses on exercise a lot so if you are not interested in exercise, you may not want to read some of it.
February 24, 2025
The author comes across in an approachable, relatable way; she is funny and no-nonsense. There is quite a lot of basic Menopause and HRT info, so if you are already past this point, there's quite a lot to skim over. I like that there is a good focus on the mental and emotional sides of menopause, I found this useful.
Generally, the info is good, though and not too sciencey, and it feels down to earth and not too idealistic. I did find some of the advice a bit too diet-focused - like drinking a glass of water before meals so you eat less.
A big chunk of the book is taken up with photos of different exercises and workout plans, which, while useful, isn't why I bought the book.
Generally, the info is good, though and not too sciencey, and it feels down to earth and not too idealistic. I did find some of the advice a bit too diet-focused - like drinking a glass of water before meals so you eat less.
A big chunk of the book is taken up with photos of different exercises and workout plans, which, while useful, isn't why I bought the book.
June 5, 2022
Brilliant book! Highly recommend that every peri- + post-menopausal woman should read it - from my perspective as a pelvic health physiotherapist working with so many women who have to journey the craziness. But also from a personal point of view, having journeyed peri- menopause several years ago which was so helped by HRT patches. Then an endometrial cancer diagnosis a year ago which led to being catapulted into surgical menopause post-surgery (with no HRT). All of the strategies in this book have so helped me! Thank you Amanda!
June 25, 2021
See on personaaltreeneri kogemuslugu, ja nagu selle maa raamatutes tavaks, paljude kordustega ja paraku on see natuke liiga Ameerika. Kui ma võrdlen prantsuse raamatuga, siis mulle tundus prantsuse oma kultuuriliselt lähedasem.
Raamat käib läbi põhitõed ja mõisted. Annab lingid mitmele testile, kogukonnale. Kuna autor on treener, siis ka treeningkava ja koostöös psühholoogidega tuletab meelde vanad head ja mõned uued eneseabi nipid.
Raamat käib läbi põhitõed ja mõisted. Annab lingid mitmele testile, kogukonnale. Kuna autor on treener, siis ka treeningkava ja koostöös psühholoogidega tuletab meelde vanad head ja mõned uued eneseabi nipid.
October 19, 2021
Great evidence based information presented in a straightforward and often humorous way. I follow Amanda Thebe on social media and enjoy her personality and straight shooting approach. The one thing I didn’t enjoy was that she didn’t narrate the book herself. Lost opportunity there because she’s pretty charismatic. Also my audio book was missing the pdf that is supposed to accompany it, so I recommend the paper version.
November 1, 2022
Not quite right on her assumptions with surgical menopause, but otherwise a decent book. Surgical menopause is not even close to the same as natural menopause. It's abrupt and you lose all the hormones your ovaries would have continued to produce through the rest of your life which leaves you at greater risk of heart, bone and brain deterioration. HRT is truly necessary after this unless you have contraindications such as estrogen positive cancer.
January 3, 2025
Not a bad menopause book, you can tell that the author is a fitness person, as there are a number of good exercise examples in the book, as well as tips on health, eating, HT (HRT) and mental health. Theres info on, and then tips, along with 'life hacks' and a bit of a bio background in the stories, along with a few other women's tales about dealing with menopause. Easily readable, loads of tips, and has some good/interesting ideas. A must read for all middle-aged women.
May 18, 2025
Info filled book on Menopause. It explains much of what I've experienced and why I can't lose those extra pounds that showed up.
I wouldn't call this an exceptional book. I had to read some paragraphs a few times to understand what the author was saying. For this reason I am docking it a star. Some of the book contains exercises. One of the things I learned from the book was how to select the correct weight to use. In the future, I'll use that method.
I wouldn't call this an exceptional book. I had to read some paragraphs a few times to understand what the author was saying. For this reason I am docking it a star. Some of the book contains exercises. One of the things I learned from the book was how to select the correct weight to use. In the future, I'll use that method.
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