Must-Read Menopause Books

I couldn’t be more thankful for the awesome people who are helping to kick the menopause taboo to the curb. Instead of hiding behind the bathroom door crying into a gallon of cookie dough ice cream, these writers are out to help us overcome and feel empowered by menopause. If you’re looking for a good read, then be sure to check out these must-read menopause books. Oh! And if you have any great recommendations, then let me know. I seriously can’t get enough of these page-turners … especially when I’m up in the middle of the night fighting off the night sweats.

What Are Must-Read Menopause Books?

Book Topic: Menopause Basics

Title: Dr. Susan Love’s Menopause and Hormone Book

Author: Dr. Susan Love
Publish Year: 2003
Theme: The book focuses extensively on the biology and physiology of menopause. Detailed explanations of how scientific studies work. This is relevant because HRT is controversial depending on which study you read.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Information about hormone replacement therapy and its various risks or potential advantages for various kinds of women in menopause
- The basic processes of menopause, including the multiple hormones involved
- The basic women’s health, like cardiovascular health, LDL, HDL
- Osteoporosis and how to prevent it or protect against it
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Thinning hair, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Diabetes, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Headaches, Digestive issues, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Irregular heartbeat

Title: Menopause Confidential: A Doctor Reveals the Secrets to Thriving Through Midlife

Author: Dr. Tara Allmen
Publish Year: 2016
Theme: It’s the “busy woman’s guide to midlife women’s health”
Primary Topics Addressed:
- You’re not alone in dealing with hot flashes, feeling panicked or sad, or dealing with any of the other symptoms of menopause.
- Perimenopause is not the same as menopause and shouldn’t be treated as the same thing.
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Weight gain, Thinning hair, Brittle nails, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Sore breasts, Dry and itching skin, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues)

Title: The Menopause Myth: What Your Mother, Doctor, and Friends Haven’t Shared About Life After 35

Author: Arianna Sholes-Douglas, MD
Publish Year: 2019
Theme: The book’s primary theme or purpose is the dispelling of myths or misconceptions about menopause, like “low estrogen is the main cause of perimenopausal symptoms” and “menopause is the beginning of the end.” The author uses the dispelling of those myths as springboards for empowering instructions and advice.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- What’s really going on with a woman’s hormones during menopause.
- There’s no magic pill to relieve all of the symptoms, but there are some good, scientifically backed ways to ameliorate them.
- You shouldn’t rely only on what your general practitioner or even your gynecologist tells you about whether or not you’re in menopause and what s/he prescribes. Get informed and make them part of a holistic approach to a more empowered part of your life.
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Thinning hair, Brittle nails, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Cardiovascular issues, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Vision problems, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Headaches, Pains in joints, Digestive issues, Dry and itching skin, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Irregular heartbeat, Recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections)

Title: The Menopause Reset

Author: Dr. Mindy Pelz
Publish Year: 2020
Theme: The book’s primary theme focused on how you can solve most of menopause’s problems by fasting, detoxing, and growing your microbiome through various products.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Fasting
- Microbiome
- Supplementing estrogen through diet
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Thinning hair, Night sweats, Diabetes, Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue (low energy), Pains in joints, Digestive issues, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues)

Title: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life From Thirty to Fifty

Author: Dr. John R. Lee, Dr. Jesse Hanley, Virginia Hopkins
Publish Year: 1999
Theme: The main message of this book is that all symptoms of premenopause syndrome can be fixed by using natural progesterone plus other herbs and vitamins.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Part 1: Getting Acquainted – Life Cycles and Hormone Cycles
- Part 2: When Your Body Talks, Listen – What’s Causing Premenopause Syndrome Symptoms and How to Treat Them
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Weight gain, Night sweats, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Bloating, Sore breasts, Headaches, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues)

Book Topic: Emotional Changes

Title: The Female Brain

Author: Dr. Louann Brizendine
Publish Year: 2006
Theme: No matter what stage of life a female is in, her brain is different from a man’s. This is neither a good or a bad thing. Dr. Bizendine says: “If we acknowledge that our biology is influenced by other factors, including our sex hormones and their flux, we can prevent it from creating a fixed reality by which we are ruled.”
Primary Topics Addressed:
- A female’s brain and how changes in her body’s hormones affect her brain
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Sex drive/libido, Weight gain, Cardiovascular issues, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more)

Title: What Fresh Hell Is This?

Author: Heather Corinna
Publish Year: 2021
Theme: An informative, blisteringly funny, somewhat cranky and always spot-on guide to perimenopause and menopause.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Perimenopause and menopause experiences are as unique as all of us who move through them. While there’s no one-size-fits-all, Heather Corinna tells you what can happen and what you can do to take care of yourself, all the while busting pernicious myths, offering real self-care tips—the kind that won’t break the bank or your soul—and running the gamut from hot flashes to hormone therapy.
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Reluctant weight loss, Thinning hair, Brittle nails, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Diabetes, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Dry eye, Vision problems, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Sore breasts, Headaches, Pains in joints, Electric shocks, Burning tongue, Problems with gums, Digestive issues, Dry and itching skin, Tingling in the extremities, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Dizziness, Tight muscles, Change in body odor, Irregular heartbeat

Book Topic: Hormonal Changes

Title: Female Brain Gone Insane

Author: Mia Lundin
Publish Year: 2009
Theme: This book focuses on how hormones change during perimenopause and how those changes affect you.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Emotional and intellectual turmoil, including mood swings, loss of concentration and/or memory, and mental acuteness
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Reluctant weight loss, Thinning hair, Brittle nails, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Diabetes, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Dry eye, Vision problems, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Sore breasts, Headaches, Pains in joints, Electric shocks, Burning tongue, Problems with gums, Digestive issues, Dry and itching skin, Tingling in the extremities, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Dizziness, Tight muscles, Change in body odor, Irregular heartbeat, Recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections)

Title: I’m Too Young for This! The Natural Hormone Solution to Enjoy Perimenopause

Author: Suzanne Somers
Publish Year: 2013
Theme: “Many women in hormonal decline become so unhappy during this passage that they end up destroying what they have worked for all their lives. Don’t let that be you.” Then she provides specific advice on how to “not let that be you,” like “get out of your head,” “see a therapist,” and practice gratitude, all things that just resonated more with me.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- The importance of attaining balance, not just hormonally but in lifestyle as well
- The real differences between synthetic and bioidentical hormones (Almost all of the books I’ve read talk about both, with a few showing a clear bias toward one or the other. She went into the history and evolution of both kinds of hormones)
- The necessity of customizing whatever menopause-managing plan you come up with to your specific needs, not just in terms of your specific symptoms but in terms of very detailed blood-test results.
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Weight gain, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Diabetes, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Sore breasts, Headaches, Digestive issues, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Tight muscles, Irregular heartbeat

Title: The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health During the Change

Author: Dr. Christiane Northrup
Publish Year: 2021 (4th Ed.)
Theme: Comprehensive guide to all things menopause, that might or could be related to it.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Hormone therapy
- The brain “catching fire” at menopause
- Natural ways to balance hormones and navigate the changes menopause brings
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Thinning hair, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Diabetes, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Sore breasts, Pains in joints, Problems with gums, Digestive issues, Dry and itching skin, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections)

Title: The Estrogen Fix

Author: Dr. Mache Seibel
Publish: 2017
Theme: Everything you ever wanted to know about estrogen.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- How estrogen works in your body.
- What you can do to restore balance when your estrogen is out of balance.
- Why it’s important to understand estrogen.
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Reluctant weight loss, Thinning hair, Brittle nails, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Diabetes, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Bloating, Sore breasts, Headaches, Pains in joints, Burning tongue, Problems with gums, Tingling in the extremities

Title: Perimenopause Power

Author: Maisie Hill
Publish Year: 2021
Theme: This book focuses on how hormones change during perimenopause and how those changes affect you.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings,
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Bone density issues (osteoporosis), Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Thinning hair, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Diabetes, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Sore breasts, Headaches, Pains in joints, Digestive issues, Dry and itching skin, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Irregular heartbeat, Recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections)

Title: The Madwoman In the Volvo: My Year of Raging Hormones

Author: Sandra Tsing Loh
Publish Year: 2014
Theme: Memoir
Primary Topics Addressed:
- How she was feeling during menopause, things she tried, a tiny bit about what worked
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Weight gain, Night sweats, Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues)

Book Topic: Physical Changes/Vaginal Health

Title: Flash Count Diary

Author: Darcey Steinke
Publish Year: 2019
Theme: The book’s primary theme was about hot flashes (she journals about her hot flash experiences).
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Flash Count Diary, with its deep research, open play of ideas, and reverence for the female body, will change the way you think about menopause.
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Hot Flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Night sweats, Diabetes, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Irregular periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more)

Title: The Essential Oils Menopause Solution

Author: Dr. Mariza Snyder
Publish Year: 2021
Theme: It was all about natural solutions to menopause, not just essential oils. In fact, the EO part of each chapter was usually only a page or two, hardly the bulk of each chapter.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Natural solutions
- Essential oils
- Recipes for healthy eating
- The 21-day hormone makeover program
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Night sweats, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Digestive issues, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections)

Title: The Queen V

Author: Dr. Jackie Walters
Publish Year: 2020
Theme: The overarching theme of the book is vaginal health, including anatomy, sexually transmitted infections, infertility, and monthly cycles.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Vaginal health
- Sex and potential problems
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Night sweats, Diabetes, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Irregular periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues)

Book Topic: Positive Body Image

Title: The Menopause Makeover

Author: Staness Jonekos, with Wendy Klein
Publish Year: 2016
Theme: This book focuses on the “beauty” aspects of menopause—looking good in your skin, your body, your waist to hip ratio, etc.
Primary Topics Addressed:
- Thinking about taking control of menopause
- Expressing sympathy for women who gain weight during menopause
- Exploring various solutions to lose weight, exercise, lose fat around the midline
- Planning, setting goals, measuring where you are, to accomplish the goal of taking control of your body during menopause
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Painful sex, Weight gain, Reluctant weight loss, Thinning hair, Skin problems (overly dry skin, oily skin, acne, etc.), Night sweats, Hormonal changes (decreasing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), Mood swings, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Irregular periods, Heavy periods, Reaching menopause (not having your period for a year or more), Bloating, Sore breasts, Dry and itching skin, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues)

Title: Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too

Author: Amanda Thebe
Publish Year: 2020
Theme: Although it covered many of the same topics as other books on menopause, it focused a lot more on the physical exercise component of self-care for menopause
Primary Topics Addressed:
- The four “hacks” for thriving in menopause, pelvic floor health, and specific ways to exercise that will address specific symptoms of menopause
Menopause Symptoms Covered:
- Hot flashes, Sleep issues, Vaginal dryness/thinning of skin, Sex drive/libido, Weight gain, Thinning hair, Night sweats, Cardiovascular issues, Bladder issues (leakage, incontinence), Mood swings, Depression, Anxiety, Feeling like you’re “crazy”, Craving carbs, especially when you’re tired, Fatigue (low energy), Irregular periods, Bloating, Sore breasts, Headaches, Problems with gums, Tingling in the extremities, Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, other memory issues), Change in body odor

What are your favoriet menopause books?