This Changes Everything: The Honest Guide to Menopause and Perimenopause

by Niki Bezzant

A new and demographically significant generation of women as young as 35 is facing perimenopause and menopause – but not like our mothers or grandmothers did.

We are hungry for information and keen to talk candidly about sex, mental health, self-image, alcohol, how menopause affects our stressful working lives, relationships, fertility and families – and what we can do about it.

Author Niki Bezzant has more than 20 years' experience writing and speaking about health and nutrition. In this book, she shares all the latest research and advice, giving readers real information they can use on everything from recognizing and understanding common symptoms like mood changes, weight gain, low libido, erratic and heavy periods, hot flushes and insomnia, to managing mental health, sexuality and relationships, exercise and nutrition tips. She explains which natural and medical treatments actually work and how to get the best help, with a healthy side-serve of humour, calling out sexism, snake-oil and bullshit along the way.

This Changes Everything includes menopause stories from well-known NZ women including Robyn Malcolm, Carol Hirschfeld and Michele A'Court, plus real talk from hundreds of NZ women, based on the author’s wide-ranging online survey and expert information from menopause specialists and doctors, to answer the questions women most want answered.

This is a must-have guide to perimenopause, menopause, midlife and beyond for every woman – the symptoms, the solutions and the stuff that really works.

Topics covered
What’s happening to me?
When menopause happens early
Hormones 101
HRT, MHT and other treatments
Hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, migraines, memory and other physical symptoms
Anxiety, panic attacks, self-image and other psychological symptoms
Sex, libido and relationships
Health after the menopause
Diet and nutrition
Exercise
Sleep
Bloating and gut health
Lifestyle changes
Menopause for a cheat sheet
Taking back the a menopause action plan
And much more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2022

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the cusp of 40, I thought I should prepare myself for the next round of bullshit my body and I need to go through on this “being a woman” journey.

It’s well worth the read (or, skim through - as I’m convinced I’ll be reading this again when “changes” start to take effect) to give yourself the heads up of what to expect or look out for.

It’s repetitive but that’s ok, I think it’s designed to be a dip in type of book, based on the symptoms perimenopausal women are experiencing - each chapter is geared to a different collection of symptoms.

My favourite part was unfortunately right at the end - the responses from kiwi women surveyed on their positive aspects of going through menopause.

The key outtakes for me:
- improve your health (diet, exercise, sleep)
- reduce stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, drugs etc.
- find a GP who will listen to you and connect the dots of your symptoms.
- HRT is a valid tool in mitigating hormone related issues (the danger has been debunked)

So um the main thrust of it is advice for everyone really. Eat well, move often, prioritise sleep.

Quite good content about the patriarchy and framing of menopause as a negative thing due to the (societal) male gaze/requirement of women being youthful, fertile, not crazy.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an article in the Guardian (UK) by the author and immediately bought the book on Kindle. Hopefully it will be published as a paperback in the UK soon as I would have loved to have shared this with friends and gift copies. Highly informative and I wish I had read it years ago! Knowledge is indeed power and this is a book for every woman (and man!). Deals with HRT, symptoms and snake oil salesman in a conversational style. So many ‘oh, I’m not alone in this’ moments. A sorely needed book to open up the conversation around this transitional period that affects half the population! Don’t dither, read it and make those changes to improve your life.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Best one yet. #3wordbookreview

Of the hormone books I've read this year this one is the stand out. Bezzant is a health writer so is able to communicate scientific information clearly. She doesn't take the MHT-for-all approach like Newson, or the no-MHT-at-all approach of Pellegrino. Bezzant talks about lifestyle choices that may help during this fucking awful (for some) time of life and also talks about complementary / alternative medicine but clearly outlines their efficacy (ie, none otherwise it would be medicine - but if it has a placebo effect for you, how nice).

My only complaint about this book is the layout. The publisher has really let their target audience down. The font is very small - we are old ladies with failing eyesight!! - and the pages have been set out in columns like a magazine for some weird reason. It's a book. Set it out like a book. With a font size people can read. Ooh, and serifs would help too. Hope they fix these issues for the reprints!

[Jess Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

75% informative
25% terrifying!

[Karmen Gearhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and easy to read even though there is a lot of information. Loved the highlights at the end of each chapter I can refer back to. Lots of great resources and debunking of old myths.

[Nicky Fitzgibbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audio book which was narrated by the author. She was able to bring life and emphasis to the content. It got a bit repetitive at times but that is the reality of the nature of the topic. The author makes information easily digestible for the average person and dispells myths and outdated information. Main take away points. Look after your health (diet and exercise) but importantly be an advocate for your own health! Especially with medical professionals. I also loved the stories from real women and the end where they spoke about coming out the other side and all the positives that come with it. Makes this bewildering and sometimes disheartening journey a little less lonely

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for NZ women 40+. After reading some of Jen Gunter’s Menopause Manifesto, I realised I needed a book written for NZ women, covering our medical system and hearing from NZ experts and specialists. This book is so easy to read, Niki has really made things simple and conversational. We are so lucky to have such openness around this topic now, making it easier to support each other, and advocate for ourselves.

[Michele Hider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to see why Niki Bezzant is so highly regarded as a health writer. This comprehensive account of what women may and may not experience is written with wonderfully refreshing wit and empathy.
Reading it felt like a long chat to a very knowledgeable friend.

[M E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

I recommend everyone over the age of 35 read this book - particularly New Zealanders as that is the context in which it is written. It's eye-opening and provides a really great balance of encouraging you to explore what works while showing you what the science says.

[Melissa Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any and all women. This is a topic that as women we aren’t taught about, and probably haven’t talked that much about with our mums even. At least I hadn’t. Knowledge is power.

[Carmel Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read but with plenty of science to back it up. I enjoyed the no BS approach. Definitely made me feel better.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Really empowering. Thank you Niki!

[Munkizzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digestible chapters on a transition 50% of people go through.

I liked the breakdowns in the chapters about things that may happen and solutions to each of the major symptoms.

Would definitely recommend for anyone to read this, as talking about menopause is such a taboo and it really shouldn’t be!

Advice in it was along the lines of things that are just good for you at any stage - healthy food, exercise and sleep but also looking into HRT and if you’re not getting support from a medical professional - going and getting a second opinion.

Just a touch heteronormative for the date it was published… so just be aware that women is used as a catch all term in the book for anyone experiencing menopause and the book often refers to cis gender M/F relationships. She states this up front but just worth noting.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much good information. Why don't they teach us this in school? How come my mom never told me anything about this? I agree with the reviewer who said, "75% informative, 25% terrifying!" 🤣😭😅

Looked up perimenopause on Audible, found this and loved it so much I bought the ebook -- that way I could more easily take notes, write questions for my GP, and revisit specific chapters as needed.

If it didn't cost so much to purchase the physical copy from NZ and have it shipped to the US, I'd buy copies for all my lady friends and colleagues. We definitely need to normalize talking about this. I'd even put a copy in our staff lounge! 😅

[Libby Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, amazing book. It all felt so relevant - written by a New Zealander, about our society and health system, post-pandemic. I love how Niki balances thorough and meticulous research with a really clear and readable style. I also love that she leaves you with a feeling of positivity and optimism. Would recommend this book to anyone who is a woman, or has a uterus, or anyone who knows a woman. I guarantee you’ll learn something.

[JoE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should take the time to read this book, to help understand what maybe before them or indeed what they are going through (or have been through) Its reassuring to know there is help available or that you werent going mad! Some parts may not be completely relevant to you (I did skim read a bit) but overall a well written and informative book that I'd highly recommend. Great to have a New Zealand author putting this out there

[Sarah Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is sooooo much repetition and self referencing in this book. She makes good points but it took her forever to make them. Her best point was that we teach adolescents about raging hormones yet deny it happens again later in life for half of our population. It shouldn’t remain such a dirty little secret!

[Trish Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, no nonsense advice. Everyone should read this from age 40 onwards. People need to start talking about this more so people are prepared and also able to do their own research into natural/herbal vs traditional medicines. For some, when it hits, it is truly horrible, even worse with no knowledge & unsure where to go next. Highly recommend

[Leila Mirza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow—what a great and informative book! I highly recommend it to every woman over 35. It's better to read it early than wait until you're caught off guard by symptoms. Niki Bezzant explains everything clearly, with evidence-based advice and relatable insights. A must-read for anyone approaching or going through perimenopause and menopause.

[Alan Wightman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains a large amount of information about the symptoms and treatments of perimenopause and menopause. It was instructive, and some of it was even useful to this male reader. The style is informal, which I suppose makes it more approachable, but I also found the style distracting occasionally.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative with a lot of practical advice and information. My only criticism is the heavy push to take HRT as the cure all for everything.

[Christine Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so worth it. Highly recommend. I'll keep my copy nearby to refer to. Its a lifestyle book for women really - told around menopause.

[Caffeinated Weka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative. A good starting point to research an important topic that should be talked about more and better understood.

[Morgan Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for any one who is going through, will go through, or will know someone who goes through perimenopause.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a useful
And interesting book. So glad I read it.

[Sue Forgesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational from a New Zealand perspective.

[Madeleine Booth-Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much great advice. I'll be sure to read this book again. So helpful in this turbulent time! I especially loved the dear partner section!

[Tiffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Read: Informing me I could possibly have years MORE of the current perimenopause-purgatory I’m experiencing before actually entering menopause. Yay for me.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read. Half the population has either been through menopause, going through it or will go through it. Knowledge is power. I’m feeling a lot more prepared and empowered to discuss this topic, so when the time comes, I know the questions to ask myself and my GP, and can better support friends who are going through it now.