Thursday, February 18, 2021

Review: Hormone Repair Manual

Title: Hormone Repair Manual - Every woman's guide to healthy hormones after 40
Author: Lara Briden

Publisher: 23rd February 2021 by Pan Macmillan Australia

Pages: 368 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: nonfiction, health, mind, body

My Rating: 3 cups


Synopsis:


The Hormone Repair Manual is a must-have guide to understanding and overcoming the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.


Naturopath Lara Briden, author of the international bestseller Period Repair Manual, has more than 20 years' experience in women's health. Her fresh approach aims to overturn the stigma of perimenopause and menopause and show women that:


- many symptoms are temporary and manageable

- emotional challenges can present an opportunity to thrive

- a focus on health during this period can bring benefits for years to come.


Addressing common symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, mood changes, migraines, weight gain, low libido and heavy periods, Lara offers practical solutions of diet, lifestyle, nutritional supplements and tips for how to speak to your doctor about hormone therapy.


The Hormone Repair Manual is backed by evidence-based research and case studies and is a reassuring guide to soothing, nourishing and strengthening your body, mind and spirit during this time of change.

My Thoughts

‘This book is your guide to navigating that process of change, with the aim of delivering you safe and happy into the stable final third of your life.’

Well how did I find myself here and staring down the barrel of menopause? Not the kind of book that you necessarily are drawn to or care to rave about, however, if you are female then I highly recommend this book. I learnt so much! Menopause still sadly has that stigma surrounding it and women need to be knowledgeable about what is happening to their bodies. This book was extremely helpful, informative and indeed empowering, that all women should read it as they approach perimenopause and beyond. It is full of evidence based ideas and solutions to assist in optimising female health and wellbeing at this crucial phase. 

‘... know that perimenopause and the early years of menopause are a critical window for health, and that’s true even if you don’t have symptoms. By critical window, I mean a sensitive period or inflection point, during which time small health problems could, if not addressed, amplify into larger and more permanent health problems later in life.’


The first four chapters are all about understanding the process of perimenopause, both emotionally and biologically, the final six chapters of the book are all about treatment. Women spend one third of their lives in menopause, which is why it makes sense to support your health through this phase. Being so rich in research and factual detail, the writing is at times heavy going and somewhat repetitive. It would therefore make sense to approach this book by reading the introductory chapters and then  jumping to the sections most pertinent to oneself. 


Now, so much more au fait with this whole topic, I for one certainly feel more confident in how to approach and work with this phase in my life. Thank you Lara for being that medically trained physician who spoke ‘woman to woman’ about everything, even on how to talk/what questions to ask your doctor. 


‘I just don’t care to engage in an all-out battle with ageing because, at the end of the day, I have better things to do. It’s a refreshing departure from the constant need to be pretty that many of us feel as young women.’






This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.


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