This guide, for women in their late thirties to late fifties, is meant to demystify the menopause condition, symptoms, remedies, side effects, and emotional impact. The information about rememdies includes both traditional and alternative treatments. The author stresses the benefits of good nutrition and fitness.
I. ENTER PRIME TIME. 1. What Is Menopause?
Navigating the Silent Passage. A Woman's Life Is a Circle.
Of Cycles: Menstrual and Life. Luna: Maiden, Enchantress, Mother, Wise Woman.
The Climacteric Stage: We're Not Talking About the Weather.
When Does Menopause Start? How Long Does Menopause Last? Is There Life After Menopause?
The Medicalization of Menopause.
When Did the Doctors Get Involved? Can You Postpone the Body's Aging Process? Menopause Is Not a Disease.
Embracing Each Change of Life. 2. Mapping Menopause: Facts, Folklore, and Fears.
The Crone Goddess: Ancient Cultures Revere the Wise Woman. Wisdom of the Ages: A History of Menopause.
Medieval Myths and Mysticism. Mona Lisa: Life in the High Renaissance. The Victorian Era: Button Up.
What's It All Got to Do with You?
Fast-Forward to the Information Age. Can You Ever Be Too Rich, Too Thin… or Too Young?
100 Years Ago, Women Didn't Live to Be 100!
Baby Boomers Break the Age Barrier. You May Spend as Much Time Over 40 as Under. Coming of Age, Coming into Our Own. 3. The Power of the Second Spring.
Age Will Not Be Defied.
Supplements to Reverse Aging: Do They Work? To Long for Youth Is to Forego the Future. A Gateway to New Life Experience.
How Do You Feel About Menopause? A Self-Exploration. Changing the Face of Beauty.
Draw a Picture of a Beautiful Woman. Who, You, Old? No…
Being Proactive About Menopause.
Staring Down Media Stereotypes. Putting Your Best Face Forward.
II. MIDLIFE METAMORPHOSIS. 4. Perimenopause: Approaching Menopause.
The Progress of Understanding. When It's More Than Really Bad PMS.
Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause. The Relationship Between PMS and Perimenopause. Charting Your Period Patterns.
Oh, Those Fluctuating Hormones!
Perimenopause Is Not Early Menopause. Dealing with the Storm in Your Body.
Should You Take Hormones for Perimenopause?
Low-Dose Birth Control Pills. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
How Long Perimenopause Lasts.
The Possibility of Pregnancy. Menopause: The Calm After the Storm.
Self-Care During Perimenopause.
Keeping Your Body Healthy. Staying Calm and Comfortable. 5. Menopause and Your Body.
The Parts: Your Organs. The Messengers: Your Hormones.
The Mother Hormone: Estrogen. Preparing for Pregnancy: Progesterone. Not Just for Men: Testosterone.
Your Reproductive Cycle Before Menopause. What Happens Inside Your Body During Menopause.
Hormone Heaven or Hell?
This Is Your Brain at Menopause. Biochemical Changes. Physical Changes. Is Your Body Prepared for Menopause?
Habitit, Habitat: A Self-Quiz. Nurturing Good Nutrition and Lifestyle Habits.
Menopause: It's a Process, Not a Moment. 6. Fertility, Midlife, and Menopause Babies.
When Your 40th Birthday Wish Is for a Baby. Are You Still Fertile at 40?
All About Eggs. Subfertile Is Not Infertile.
Becoming Pregnant at Midlife.
The Lowdown on Midlife Motherhood. The Physical Considerations of Pregnancy. The Emotional Considerations of Pregnancy. Your Support Network.
Exploring High-Tech Possibilities.
What You Should Know About Fertility Drugs. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Hit the Spot. The ART of Conception: IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT. Considering Donor Egg or Surrogacy. What You Need to Know About Costs and Insurance.
Other Options: Adoption and Living Child-Free. Just When You Thought It Was Safe….
How Long Is Birth Control Necessary? Accepting and Adapting to a Surprise Pregnancy 7. Do You Need Your Uterus? Hysterectomies and Surgical Menopause.
Your Uterus and You.
Your Uterus Before Menopause. Your Uterus After Menopause. Your Cervix, Fallopian Tubes, and Ovaries.
Why Your Doctor Might Recommend Hysterectomy.
Cancer and Other Tumors. Fibroids. Endometriosis.
“As Long as We're in There…”
What Really Needs to Come Out? Tubes and Ovaries. Why Remove Your Appendix?
Understanding the Risks.
Informed Consent. Getting a Second Opinion.
Hysterectomy: The Procedure Options.
Abdominal Hysterectomy. Vaginal Hysterectomy. Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH).
Preparing Your Body and Your Mind for Surgery.
What Happens Before Surgery. What to Expect After Surgery. When Will You Be Back to Normal? Surgical or Induced Menopause. Potential Complications.
Alternatives to Hysterectomy.
Watchful Waiting. Natural and Complementary Therapies. HRT and Other Medical Approaches. 8. Early Menopause.
What Is Early Menopause? Why Does Early Menopause Happen?
Surgery. Premature Ovarian Failure. Autoimmune Disorders. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). A Family Affair. Cancer Treatment. Smoking: Guaranteed Early Menopause. Stress-Induced Temporary Menopause.
Navigating an Early Passage.
Coping with the Emotions. Facing the End of Your Childbearing Years.