The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism
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- Create Date：2021-07-16 04:51:58
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Jen Gunter
- ISBN：0349427607
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Summary
The internationally renowned，
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of
The Vagina Bible
， Dr。 Jen Gunter has been called the world's most famous--and outspoken--gynecologist （The Guardian）， the internet's OB/GYN， and one of the fiercest advocates for women's health。 Now， in
The Menopause Manifesto，
Dr。 Jen Gunter brings you empowerment through knowledge by countering stubborn myths and misunderstandings about menopause with hard facts， real science， fascinating historical perspective， and expert advice。
The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability。 Factor in widespread misinformation， a lack of research， and the culture of shame around women's bodies， and it's no wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition and beyond。
Menopause is not a disease--it's a planned change， like puberty。 And just like puberty， we should be educated on what's to come years in advance， rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information。 Knowing what is happening， why， and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring。
Frank and funny， Dr。 Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the
over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about:
- Perimenopause
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disruption
- Sex and libido
- Depression and mood changes
- Skin and hair issues
- Outdated therapies
- Breast health
- Weight and muscle mass
- Health maintenance screening
- And much more！
Filled with practical， reassuring information， this essential guide will revolutionize how women experience menopause--including how their lives can be even better for it！
The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability。 Factor in widespread misinformation， a lack of research， and the culture of shame around women's bodies， and it's no wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition and beyond。
Menopause is not a disease--it's a planned change， like puberty。 And just like puberty， we should be educated on what's to come years in advance， rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information。 Knowing what is happening， why， and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring。
Frank and funny， Dr。 Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the
over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about:
- Perimenopause
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disruption
- Sex and libido
- Depression and mood changes
- Skin and hair issues
- Outdated therapies
- Breast health
- Weight and muscle mass
- Health maintenance screening
- And much more！
Filled with practical， reassuring information， this essential guide will revolutionize how women experience menopause--including how their lives can be even better for it！
Reviews
Sarah
，
Chock full of useful information and worth a browse。 Like some other reviewers， I was bothered by the absence of inline references， particularly when there were highly generalized claims （e。g。， “Multiple studies have addressed multivitamins and they have no benefit for otherwise healthy women， and some data even suggests harm。” It appears that the AMA has flip-flopped positions on multivitamins a couple of times recently， so this issue seems a lot less cut and dry…）。 Some of the nutrition discus Chock full of useful information and worth a browse。 Like some other reviewers， I was bothered by the absence of inline references， particularly when there were highly generalized claims （e。g。， “Multiple studies have addressed multivitamins and they have no benefit for otherwise healthy women， and some data even suggests harm。” It appears that the AMA has flip-flopped positions on multivitamins a couple of times recently， so this issue seems a lot less cut and dry…）。 Some of the nutrition discussion also seemed like it pushed the boundaries of the author’s knowledge （e。g。 “Some vegans and vegetarians may need iron and/or vitamin B12 supplements， as the only source of those are animal products。” B12 yes， but isn’t iron readily available in plant-based foods like lentils？）。 Still， despite these minor beefs I found this book helpful and anticipate re-visiting it as a reference in the future。 。。。more
Kristin Lenz
，
A comprehensive， empowering guide。 Full of valuable recommendations based on research and her own medical practice and personal experience。 This will help so many women。
Tammy Cook
，
This incredibly detailed book is a vital resource for every woman over age 30。 Be warned - it may upset those of you who have already dealt with some of the health issues discussed。 That's because most American doctors are notoriously lax in providing preventative care for so-called female issues。 The author has seen the consequences of this firsthand with her own mother。 I plan to keep this book as a reference guide and to buy a copy for my daughter。 It contains lifesaving and typically unavail This incredibly detailed book is a vital resource for every woman over age 30。 Be warned - it may upset those of you who have already dealt with some of the health issues discussed。 That's because most American doctors are notoriously lax in providing preventative care for so-called female issues。 The author has seen the consequences of this firsthand with her own mother。 I plan to keep this book as a reference guide and to buy a copy for my daughter。 It contains lifesaving and typically unavailable information to the public。 I plan to check out Dr。 Gunter's other books too。 。。。more
Berni Phillips
，
I wish this book had been around 20 years ago when I needed it。 Now much of it is nostalgia for me。 Still， the history was interesting and I learned new information about vitamins。 I would highly recommend this to people who are still approaching or in the midst of this milestone。
Michelle
，
Just EXACTLY what I needed。 An empowering， clear， science-based， easy-to-read-and-understand， honest set of FACTS and options to get me started， things to consider， and my list for my next doctor appointment is all set！ I love how empowering it is to have a clear set of reasons-for and reasons-against something like MHT that I can discuss with my doctor and feel like I am making an intelligent and informed decision。 Gunter also has a delightful snarky sense of humor that I also loved， just to to Just EXACTLY what I needed。 An empowering， clear， science-based， easy-to-read-and-understand， honest set of FACTS and options to get me started， things to consider， and my list for my next doctor appointment is all set！ I love how empowering it is to have a clear set of reasons-for and reasons-against something like MHT that I can discuss with my doctor and feel like I am making an intelligent and informed decision。 Gunter also has a delightful snarky sense of humor that I also loved， just to top it all off。 All of this was good， but the chapters on supplements and "natural" hormone products was extra helpful as I had had some pressure about them in the past。 It's nice to know the facts。 Hallelujah！ 。。。more
Kristen
，
I highly recommend this book！ A great， informative book and a must read for any woman before， during or after ‘the change’。
Julie
，
Great and logical information on menopause。
Janice
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 The bible for aging and your body with a sarcastic take on the male patriarchy。 Very helpful and informative。
Renee
，
This was extremely informative， hilarious， and necessary for basically any woman in her forties and beyond。 I regret not having read it sooner， but I feel way more equipped to deal with my changing health & hormones。 She really cuts through the b。s。 we've all been fed。 Bravo， Jen Gunter。 This was extremely informative， hilarious， and necessary for basically any woman in her forties and beyond。 I regret not having read it sooner， but I feel way more equipped to deal with my changing health & hormones。 She really cuts through the b。s。 we've all been fed。 Bravo， Jen Gunter。 。。。more
Caroline
，
Fact-filled， feminist， and often funny， a super informative and encouraging book。 Some passages:For women to navigate menopause， they need facts because empowerment requires accurate information—but they also need feminism because our bodies， our medical care， and even our thoughts have been colonized by the patriarchy。On hot flushes: “Think of it as part of your brain randomly yelling， “Fire in the hole” when all systems are operating just fine and there isn’t estrogen around to say， “Don’t be Fact-filled， feminist， and often funny， a super informative and encouraging book。 Some passages:For women to navigate menopause， they need facts because empowerment requires accurate information—but they also need feminism because our bodies， our medical care， and even our thoughts have been colonized by the patriarchy。On hot flushes: “Think of it as part of your brain randomly yelling， “Fire in the hole” when all systems are operating just fine and there isn’t estrogen around to say， “Don’t be so shouty and honestly， let’s gather all the facts first。”Perhaps a good analogy for the hormonal chaos of the menopause transition is like a computer uploading a new program。 During the upload （the menopause transition） things run a little slower。 Once loaded， there may be a glitch or two before this new program is running smoothly and then things settle as the new program takes over。 After all， both computer code and hormones are forms of language。 。。。more
Michelle
，
Excellent information
Kristin
，
This book was simply amazing。 As someone who was thrown into menopause early due to cancer medication and then a full hysterectomy， this answered so many questions and made me feel better about what was happening to me。 I cannot recommend it enough！
Robin
，
Menopause is a subject that I only hear horror stories about from friends experiencing it， so I was excited to read a book that talks about something so serious in such a light hearted manner。 Dr。 Gunter had me laughing within the first chapter with the way she approached the topic of menopause。 She discussed concepts that I wasn't already familiar with （having not yet experienced menopause， but preparing for it） and gave me a sense of empowerment that I didn't get from talking to friends。 The b Menopause is a subject that I only hear horror stories about from friends experiencing it， so I was excited to read a book that talks about something so serious in such a light hearted manner。 Dr。 Gunter had me laughing within the first chapter with the way she approached the topic of menopause。 She discussed concepts that I wasn't already familiar with （having not yet experienced menopause， but preparing for it） and gave me a sense of empowerment that I didn't get from talking to friends。 The book is an easy read with a lot of necessary information。 #ReadTheMenopauseManifesto #DrGunter #SheSpeaks 。。。more
Ashley Rolland
，
This book offers a unique outlook on menopause。 It’s very interesting to read more about the history of medicine in regards to menopause as well as health trends。 Dr。 Jen Gunter offers humor mixed with facts in this nonfiction women’s health book。 There are some times where the angry feminism sentiment becomes too strong for me。 I agree wholly with most of the comments， however， there were a quite a few times that it seemed almost an attack on men and that didn’t seem necessary to me。 Overall， i This book offers a unique outlook on menopause。 It’s very interesting to read more about the history of medicine in regards to menopause as well as health trends。 Dr。 Jen Gunter offers humor mixed with facts in this nonfiction women’s health book。 There are some times where the angry feminism sentiment becomes too strong for me。 I agree wholly with most of the comments， however， there were a quite a few times that it seemed almost an attack on men and that didn’t seem necessary to me。 Overall， it did a great job of demystifying menopause and bringing humor。 Would recommend it for women of all ages。 。。。more
Yolanda Sfetsos
，
This is a book about a subject that is so often ignored and shamed， that as a woman， I couldn't pass up the chance to read something that helps shed some light on a very normal and natural transition。No matter what the patriarchy tries to sell about this mysterious topic， menopause is just another fact of life。So， the more we know， the better。 “Menopause is puberty in reverse” is the best way to describe this next stage in a woman's life。 And honestly， looking at it this way helps reshape how we This is a book about a subject that is so often ignored and shamed， that as a woman， I couldn't pass up the chance to read something that helps shed some light on a very normal and natural transition。No matter what the patriarchy tries to sell about this mysterious topic， menopause is just another fact of life。So， the more we know， the better。 “Menopause is puberty in reverse” is the best way to describe this next stage in a woman's life。 And honestly， looking at it this way helps reshape how we feel about it and will hopefully eliminate some of the negativity。Dr Jen Gunter sure has a way with words。 Not only does she list all the scientific and medical terms associated with this transition， but she also informs us about the history。 Of the condition， the actual word， and the sheer inconsiderate way men have mislabelled， dealt with， or stigmatised a part of life we should be talking about as easily as periods， pregnancy and sex。But we know how this goes。 We know how the patriarchal world tries to control the narrative to scare or excuse， not bothering to spend the time and money needed to research this thoroughly。 To give women's health the attention it deserves。That's why I wanted to read this book， to find out the truth and separate the myths from the facts。 To understand what's going to happen。 And most importantly， to be prepared rather than scared。So much （of the little） I knew about this subject was tied to fear， and I wanted to change that。 Sure， some of the symptoms sound awful and the possible complications even worse， but being properly informed will help change the way I look at what's to come。 Instead of being terrified， I can now tackle whatever pops up in the future with knowledge。 Both to know when it's an expected symptom， and when to consult a doctor because it could be more。Having this reference book handy will definitely help。The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism is a book full of very detailed and relevant information， because there's a lot to learn and consider。 It helped me understand why menopause happens， how it happens and what to expect。 This is a reference book ALL women should read。 I know I'll be referring back to it when needed。Thank you so much， Hachette Australia for sending me a copy。 。。。more
Michele Legge
，
Wish it had been around when I went through menopause 20 years ago may have made other decisions but even now got some good information from it。 Women heading in that direction will benefit from it’s open and frank dialogue
Kelly_Hunsaker_reads 。。。
，
A powerful book about a taboo topic。 This book provides the reader with loads of information that is too difficult to find。 I feel empowered to speak to my doctor about issues that I have avoided for too long because I didn't understand them well enough。 I will be keeping this on my shelves for reference and will be gifting copies to my good friends。 A powerful book about a taboo topic。 This book provides the reader with loads of information that is too difficult to find。 I feel empowered to speak to my doctor about issues that I have avoided for too long because I didn't understand them well enough。 I will be keeping this on my shelves for reference and will be gifting copies to my good friends。 。。。more
Christy Maguire
，
Hard pass on this book for its limited scope。 If you want a doctor during this transition who is supportive and openminded Dr。 Gunter is not for you。 Too many reasons to detail why I did not like this book。 I recommend "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Dr。 Northrup instead， which says a lot of the same things， but in a much more nurturing way。 A primary difference is that Gunter says women too often blame our symptoms on menopause （or fluctuating hormones） because we are conditioned to do exactly wha Hard pass on this book for its limited scope。 If you want a doctor during this transition who is supportive and openminded Dr。 Gunter is not for you。 Too many reasons to detail why I did not like this book。 I recommend "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Dr。 Northrup instead， which says a lot of the same things， but in a much more nurturing way。 A primary difference is that Gunter says women too often blame our symptoms on menopause （or fluctuating hormones） because we are conditioned to do exactly what the patriarchy wants us to do。 Northrup agrees that we need to debunk the myth of raging hormones， but she accounts for symptoms as a wider problem of women in distress and her brain chemistry。 TWoM is much more comprehensive in scope。Of course， Dr。 Gunter would pooh-pooh this recommendation because Dr。 Northrup endorses alternative healing。 Gunter makes sweeping generalizations about women who are interested in supplements， saying they do not support vaccines， or rigorous testing。 Worse， she fails to address the very reason that women flock to alternative and complementary medicine >> because the medical establishment continually lets them down。 Perimenopause is not an acute condition， which is where Western medicine excels。 It was not the book for me， and I wouldn't recommend it。 。。。more
Shadow the Hedgehog
，
Perfect for women who don't know a lot about menopause。 Perfect for women who don't know a lot about menopause。 。。。more
Cathy Walker
，
I received this book to review from SheSpeaks。 I'm 38 with chronic health conditions （thyroid and Type 1 Diabetes） so these questions had come up and I was looking forward to getting some solid information that was written well and I could pursue at my leisure。 There was a TON of good amd useful things to find！ Answers to questions I didnt know I needed to ask！ But the book was very colored with her opinion on the patriarchal medical system （man = caveman = bad） which I felt invalidated some of I received this book to review from SheSpeaks。 I'm 38 with chronic health conditions （thyroid and Type 1 Diabetes） so these questions had come up and I was looking forward to getting some solid information that was written well and I could pursue at my leisure。 There was a TON of good amd useful things to find！ Answers to questions I didnt know I needed to ask！ But the book was very colored with her opinion on the patriarchal medical system （man = caveman = bad） which I felt invalidated some of her opinions and demeaned the discoveries made by men just because of their gender which is exactly the thing TRUE feminism is against。 Also there were a lot of strong warnings against developing Type 2 diabetes and no advice for folks that had that or a different chronic health issue。 To me felt like a bit of a health bias。 Like this book was written for healthy women and thats kind of it。 So lots of good info but left me feeling a bit off put by politics and snubbed due to health。 。。。more
A'Llyn Ettien
，
Kind， practical information on the science of this terribly exciting phase of life。
Krista
，
I received a free copy of this book。 I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book about menopause but I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book。 I am not at menopause yet but it is something I do think about from time to time。 This book is written really well and covers factual information about menopause。 It’s really easy to read and a great reference book to have on hand。
Lorraine
，
Lots of excellent info for the lay person but also lots of technical medical jargon that's a bit over my head。 Over all interesting and fact filled。 Lots of excellent info for the lay person but also lots of technical medical jargon that's a bit over my head。 Over all interesting and fact filled。 。。。more
Stacy Cummings
，
I have mixed feeling s about this book。 Yes it is indeed informative and relevant to my health at the age I am right now 。 It surely beats me rifling though the internet for answers 。 The book is concise。 My personal issue is the overwhelming feeling I get when I begin to look at the pages。 The text is compact and even the font is just gives me a feeling that it's more of a collage textbook instead of an enjoyable read。 Yes it's a heavy subject but I guess I was just hoping for something with mo I have mixed feeling s about this book。 Yes it is indeed informative and relevant to my health at the age I am right now 。 It surely beats me rifling though the internet for answers 。 The book is concise。 My personal issue is the overwhelming feeling I get when I begin to look at the pages。 The text is compact and even the font is just gives me a feeling that it's more of a collage textbook instead of an enjoyable read。 Yes it's a heavy subject but I guess I was just hoping for something with more of an enlightening/relaxing feeling 。 I struggled reading it。 I jumped all over instead of reading continuous chapters 。 This book will surely stay on my shelf as a reference book which I will need very often 。 I just couldn't read cover to cover as I would with other books。 * I received a free copy of the book from She Speaks to read and share my honest opinion。 。。。more
Loganj
，
Informative and fun read。 Recommend for all women
Tatia
，
Grateful to have received this MORE THAN THOROUGH book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Citadel Press！ The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism is written by Dr。 Jen Gunter， author of The Vagina Bible。 Her information and writing is honest， researched， and relates the most-recent science for women everywhere。 Please note， however， that this book is for EVERY woman - not just the women who may be of 'an age' where menopause is likely happening。 The Menopause Manif Grateful to have received this MORE THAN THOROUGH book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Citadel Press！ The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism is written by Dr。 Jen Gunter， author of The Vagina Bible。 Her information and writing is honest， researched， and relates the most-recent science for women everywhere。 Please note， however， that this book is for EVERY woman - not just the women who may be of 'an age' where menopause is likely happening。 The Menopause Manifesto is a comprehensive look at the stage of life every woman goes through。 The book has enormous value for someone who has not yet gone through menopause or is in the early stages peri-menopause and trying to sort out what is happening。 Women will likely experience menopause between ages 40 and 58， but some women reach this phase in their 30s， others in their 60s。 So， if you're a woman， you're likely going to want to read this book at some point！ I think you should have it on the shelf to revisit from time to time！ I've already purchased copies for my friends！ #menopausemanifesto #drjengunter #jengunter #netgalleyreads #vaginabible #womenshealth #womenshealthmatters 。。。more
Sally Kilpatrick
，
Lots of great information here。 I would say too much information， but I'm not sure I believe in such a thing。 That said， those who are suffering and looking for specific solutions might be frustrated with discussions of history。 I， on the other hand， found the book to be empowering through knowing the history of how menopause has been perceived and treated。Gunter is mad， and I don't blame her。 Throughout the book she calls out both society and the medical profession for how they've treated--or n Lots of great information here。 I would say too much information， but I'm not sure I believe in such a thing。 That said， those who are suffering and looking for specific solutions might be frustrated with discussions of history。 I， on the other hand， found the book to be empowering through knowing the history of how menopause has been perceived and treated。Gunter is mad， and I don't blame her。 Throughout the book she calls out both society and the medical profession for how they've treated--or not treated， in some cases--the very natural menopause transition。 At the end of the book she talks about her rage and says "The source of my rage was this reproductive reckoning。 The realization that menopause was just one more way that the burden of perpetuating the species is unequally borne by women and one more way that our biology is weaponized against us。 It is the ultimate gaslighting because it's this biology--from puberty to grave--that literally birthed humanity as we know it。"Honestly， I'm pretty salty， too。 The fact that medical research is so damned skewed toward men means that Gunter only has so many suggestions to give because she wants to give good information with scientific backing。 Again and again， she points to "cures" for menopause that haven't been properly studied。 Again and again， she declares that women deserve better。Come for the history of menopause and for what facts she can give us on how to ease symptoms and generally make our way through a fraught reverse puberty that not a one of us asked for。 Stay for her reminder that menopause has actually contributed to the longevity of the species， most specifically through how grandmothers have helped mothers keep the family hearty and hale。 As she further says in the conclusion， "Many women have been conditioned to fear menopause as an expiration date for relevance and as a sign of weakness only because that is what men thought。 In fact， we have this amazing data that tells us that menopause is the opposite--a time when historically women contributed great things to society because of their knowledge and their age。。。。When told by a patriarchal society the story of menopause is one about deserted youth， frail， and diminished worth。 The story I want you to remember is about value， agency， and voice and knowledge to keep yourself in the best of health while demanding an equal seat at the table。"Side note: Before reading， I heard complaints that this book did not address the trans community。 Early on in the book， Gunter noted that all of the studies she could find to cite involved women who have or had ovaries。 She also noted that "More research is desperately needed。" She does give what information she can in that early chapter。 。。。more
Emily
，
Incredibly informative and highly recommend。 I often felt overwhelmed by the information。 So。 Much。 Of。 It。 Come on， biology。 Bring it。 I’m over prepared。
Tammy Bellflower
，
I recommend this read for all the ladies。
Stefanie Lubkowski
，