“The Wisdom of Menopause”
by Christiane Northrup
Published: October 2006
ISBN: 0553384090

(Updated: August 21, 2007.)

From the Publisher…

In The Wisdom of Menopause, updated and revised in 2006, Dr. Northrup dispels some popular misconceptions and explains why the second half of your life is designed to provide you with more pleasure, prosperity, and fulfillment than you have ever dreamed possible! According to Dr. Northrup, “the change” is not simply a collection of physical problems or hormonal swings that need to be “fixed,” but rather a mind-body revolution that brings the greatest opportunity for growth and happiness since adolescence.

This vitally important book examines the connection between menopause and a woman’s emotional and spiritual life. It stresses how the choices a woman makes at midlife—from the quality of her relationships to the quality of her diet—either secure her health and well-being for the rest of her life, or put her future at risk. Dr. Northrup draws on her own life-changing experiences as well as on many intimate case histories to explore the transformative power of these years. Readers will learn:

• How menopause literally rewires the brain, triggering a shift of priorities from nesting and caretaking to personal growth and equality.
• How to listen for the wake-up calls inherent in women’s cyclic nature, from PMS to SAD to menopausal symptoms.
• How the body adjusts naturally to changing hormones, and how to make personalized decisions about HRT and alternatives.
• How to rebalance metabolism shifts and prevent middle-age spread.
• How to deal with the myths and realities of sexual changes and appearance issues.
• How to achieve life-long cardiovascular health, as well as what the real indicators of cardiovascular disease are.
• How to prevent long-term health problems such as hormone-related cancers and memory loss.
• How to live with passion, joy, and vibrant health before, during, and well past menopause.

“Northrup writes from experience and, more important, from her professional expertise as a physician who has treated many women and researched menopause. The specific medical advice on sleep, diet, breast health and the empowerment motif will bring insight, comfort, and confidence to women embarked on ‘the change.’” –Publishers Weekly

Finally! A book that makes sense to me on all fronts.

It is possible to be scientific and esoteric. It is possible to be spiritual and real. It is possible to better understand, to find community, to figure out what a better path through this can be. This book absolutely delivers on all of these fronts and is, simply, an absolute pleasure and treasure.

I highly recommend it and give it a 5 out of 5 on my scale.