Joanne K. reviewed Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Easy read about perimenopause and menopause, and helpful especially if you haven't read any other books on the topic... which I haven't. Until I came across this, I was just figuring "if I don't think about it then I won't even notice until it's over (right???)" Ha - no. If you have moderate to severe symptoms, getting them treated is important to your quality of life. Poor sleep especially will cause all kinds of health problems, so you really don't want your sleep interrupted frequently by insomnia or hot flashes (or even a snorer in the same room!). The author covers these and other symptoms, and how to safely treat them, with the most up-to-date information discussed concisely and straightforwardly.
Most women will have some symptoms (have you heard of "peezing"?). Only about 20% will barely notice perimenopause & menopause play out; for an unlucky subset of the rest, some symptoms will go on for years and years, and in rare cases will continue indefintely (and maybe get worse) without treatment. This book will at least help you become familiar with all the possible symptoms and some effective treatments ahead of time, so you'll be more prepared to deal with them if they happen to you.
My favorite sobering menopause fact from the book has to do with exercise: you can build muscle at any age, but any capillaries in your muscles will be ones you already had -- you can't make new capillaries once menopause begins. More muscle capillaries means more "robust" muscles, so the more exercise you can do before menopause, the better.
The author is very knowledgable, personable and humorous in just the right amounts. She generously shares embarassing personal stories to help the reader relate. I'm glad I read this... and just wish it could've been in my early 40's instead of 50+.
Most women will have some symptoms (have you heard of "peezing"?). Only about 20% will barely notice perimenopause & menopause play out; for an unlucky subset of the rest, some symptoms will go on for years and years, and in rare cases will continue indefintely (and maybe get worse) without treatment. This book will at least help you become familiar with all the possible symptoms and some effective treatments ahead of time, so you'll be more prepared to deal with them if they happen to you.
My favorite sobering menopause fact from the book has to do with exercise: you can build muscle at any age, but any capillaries in your muscles will be ones you already had -- you can't make new capillaries once menopause begins. More muscle capillaries means more "robust" muscles, so the more exercise you can do before menopause, the better.
The author is very knowledgable, personable and humorous in just the right amounts. She generously shares embarassing personal stories to help the reader relate. I'm glad I read this... and just wish it could've been in my early 40's instead of 50+.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
Informative book about an important topic written in an accessible and light-hearted manner. Interviews with doctors and scientists are interspersed with anecdotes about the author's own journey through menopause. If nothing else the reader will come away with an understanding of how little we understand about menopause and how ill-equipped most healthcare providers are to help their patients through it... the patriarchy is alive and well in healthcare.
There is reference section at the end for readers who are looking for help.
There is reference section at the end for readers who are looking for help.
