Menopause books: what to read (and how to choose well)

Bodies are made up of complex systems that work together to sustain us, going about their jobs seamlessly without us even being aware. However, there are periods in your life when systems change and you suddenly become very aware of them. And if you’re a woman between the ages of 45 and 55, one of the most significant shifts can be menopause and perimenopause.

Knowing what’s happening to you, why you’re feeling the way you are, and whether your symptoms are normal can go a long way to relieving your anxiety or stress. And books on menopause can provide insight into what’s going on with your body. They’re great for explaining and validating symptoms and demystifying any myths you may have heard. 

Below, you’ll explore some of the more popular menopause books and learn how to identify reliable resources. It’s important to note that no book can act as a replacement for medical care, but they can help you gain a better understanding of your body.

Perform an internet search for “menopause books” and you’ll instantly realize just how many there are, with new books being published all the time. But how do you differentiate between the books you can trust and those you can’t? The best books for menopause will contain clear definitions and will be easy to understand, even if you’re not a medical professional. And while even the best book on menopause is no substitute for a doctor, a good overview of symptoms and treatments, including a balanced assessment of risks and benefits, is key. Consider these other factors.

• Author credentials: Not all reliable authors have to be doctors, but if medical advice is being given, it can be a good idea to look for M.D. or PhD after the author’s name. Academic qualifications aside, take a look at what the author says about themselves in their bio. Does it look like this person can be trusted in the advice they’re giving?

• Sources: When claims are made in the book, does the author cite reliable peer-reviewed sources? There may be a list of sources at the back of the book, or sources may appear as footnotes throughout it. 

• Alignment with medical bodies: The information in the book should be consistent with existing medical bodies. If a claim or medical fact sounds too good to be true, or challenges what seems like common sense, don’t be afraid to fact-check it with other credible sources.

• Clear focus: What is the book trying to achieve? Often this is in the subtitle or on the blurb, but the book should have a clear goal, whether it’s exploring the side effects of menopause or giving a rundown of things you can do to help alleviate symptoms.

There are also some things that might suggest a book should be best left on the shelf:

• Miracle cures: Does the book have wild claims to get rid of all symptoms? If so, it should be given a wide berth. 

• Fear-based claims: While many of today’s consumers are savvier than ever, the old adage “fear sells” still rings true. If a book relies primarily on targeting your worries to sell you something or convince you to do specific things, it can be a sign that the book's author has ulterior motives.

• Dismissiveness: Does the author completely brush off all of your fears and concerns about menopause and its treatments?

The New Menopause

With a focus on thriving throughout menopause, Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s book, The New Menopause, provides a practical guide to making the most of your time in this phase of life. Haver is an OB/GYN from Louisiana who has written multiple books on women’s health. In The New Menopause, she uses a combination of lived experience and data-backed science to provide a guide on what to expect and how to navigate these changes. You’ll find information on what to ask your doctor and how to prepare before appointments, along with potential risks associated with menopause. Designed for those experiencing menopause who want to feel their best, The New Menopause is written to be accessible to all readers.

The Menopause Manifesto

Written by Dr. Jen Gunter, The Menopause Manifesto aims to demystify myths and shed light on the realities and science of menopause. Gunter is a Canadian OB/GYN and pain medicine physician who focuses on dispelling medical misinformation, particularly those surrounding women’s bodies.

Focusing on, and even embracing, the unpredictable nature of menopause, Gunter aims to educate women on what to expect. Topics covered include perimenopause, sleep, sex, physical and mental changes, and more. Written with the average person in mind, The Menopause Manifesto uses clear everyday language, funny anecdotes, and modern science to provide an accessible book for readers of all ages.

To help you pick out a book that suits your needs, we’ve broken down recommendations into several categories. 

Medical guides

Some books will focus primarily on the medical side of menopause and perimenopause. These accessible guides aim to offer clear explanations of what happens before, during, and after menopause in a way that the average reader can understand. They might provide extensive detail on the symptoms, why they happen, and what to expect. It’s essential to note that these books, although useful, aren’t a substitute for clinical expertise and information on care.

Menopause For Dummies

This guide provides a comprehensive view of all the changes you might experience. Written in plain English by three medical doctors, Menopause For Dummies is an accessible guide that dispels myths and offers advice.

Menopause: What Your Ob-Gyn Wants You to Know

Developed and written by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), this guide provides an unbiased and science-backed approach to menopause. Leaning on the expertise of thousands of OB/GYNs, it touches on topics ranging from physical and mental health during menopause to symptoms and sex.

The Menopause Brain

Written by Dr. Lisa Misconi, The Menopause Brain takes aim at the assumption that the ovaries are the part of you most affected by the menopause. Instead, she reveals how the brain is the centerpiece of menopause, and how the shift in hormones impacts everything from mood to memory.

Perimenopause primers

These types of books are designed to prepare you for menopause, whether you’re already in perimenopause or just know it’s coming down the pike. There to give you advice so that any symptoms and changes don’t come as a shock, primers stress the importance of education. They can help you identify the early signs of menopause, teach you how to track your cycles, and share how to cope with stress and uncertainty.

The Menopause Companion

Presented as a primer written by a friend, this accessible and easy-to-understand guide walks you through all that you can expect from perimenopause and beyond. Backed by science, this book covers everything from basic biology, when to speak with a clinician, advice on how to prepare, and more.

Millennial Menopause

This smart and occasionally funny book provides plenty of reassurance for women approaching menopause. Looking at the latest science without losing the human touch, it aims to provide a fresh and empowering approach to menopause.  

The New Rules of Menopause

Created by the director of women’s health at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Stephanie Faubion, this book offers advice on current treatments and the latest research and gives a real-world approach to menopause and perimenopause. Aside from an exploration of symptoms and how to navigate the health care system, it also includes guides to managing perimenopause. 

Lifestyle & diet books

As part of menopause, you may notice physical and mental changes like weight gain, brain fog, hot flashes, and more. Many books show how you can help manage, or at least try to alleviate, these symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes. Keep in mind that while some people have benefited from altering their diets, no one regimen fits everyone. It’s also important to talk to a clinician if you plan to make any significant changes to your diet. And be sure to check the credibility of any health claims against reliable sources. 

Eat to Thrive During Menopause

Focusing on foods that are rich in phytoestrogens, protein, calcium, fiber, and omega-3 fats, Jann Salib Huber has put together a collection of tasty meals that also provide all the necessary nutrients for a smoother transition through menopause. (Keep in mind that phytoestrogens have a modest effect on hot flashes compared to medications.)

The Menopause Gut

Looking at more than just the food you eat, The Menopause Gut by Cynthia Thurlow explores how the gut microbiome changes as a woman ages and how this may affect the rest of the body (an area still under research). This book sets out to help you manage stress, boost your immune system, and eat healthily.

Menolicious: Eat Your Way to a Better Menopause

A collaboration between menopause awareness campaigner Mariella Frostrup and chef Belles Berry, this cookbook is a collection of recipes to help with menopause symptoms. Delicious, simple to make, and designed to help you manage weight, hormones, and energy, these recipes are built with nutrition at the forefront. 

Memoirs and cultural takes

Whether they explore firsthand experiences in the form of biographies or look at the history of menopause and how it’s traditionally been approached, these books encourage us to reflect and think about how society treats menopausal women.

Dare I Say It

Written by film star and Hollywood icon Naomi Watts, this part memoir, part guide combines anecdotes from the lives of Watts and her friends alongside professional medical advice. Funny, entertaining, and informative, Watts has set out to create the book she wishes she had when she reached menopause.

The Big M

This collection of work brings together writings from 13 authors to redefine the way we think about menopause. Taken from firsthand experience, medical research, and more, these pieces explore the important themes that are impacted by menopause.

Hot and Bothered

Surprised by her symptoms, author Jancee Dunn took it upon herself to write about her experience and give others a better chance of understanding menopause. Centered around in-depth interviews with experts and menopause authorities, she explores the science behind the transition in an approachable and entertaining way.

These books are meant to help you learn information that feels relevant to you. They are great for education and offering insights, but they can’t replace professional, personalized care. While books can be useful for introducing you to new forms of care, you should speak with a clinician for in-depth solutions. And some of the books recommended above even cover the topic of when to go to the doctor, how to address your concerns, and how to get the information you require. 

What to bring to an appointment after reading

If you plan to speak with your clinician, take a short list of questions with you to remind you of everything you want to discuss. You might have to take in a lot of information in a short space of time, so it can be useful to bring a pen and paper to write down the answers.

Your list might include the following:

• Symptoms: Which ones you’ve been experiencing, their severity, and how you’re managing them. If you’re experiencing uncommon symptoms, it can be reassuring to hear from your doctor that they’re normal and rule out any other conditions or medical issues.

• Goals: Take the time to think about what you want to get out of your appointment. Is it simply information on menopause, or do you want extra guidance? This could range from managing your symptoms, issues with sex and libido, advice on weight changes, or preventing bone loss.

• Therapy: Solutions can be just as diverse as symptoms. Depending on what you’re experiencing and the treatment you want to explore, your clinician may recommend a range of therapies.

• Any changes: You may already have an idea of what you want to do, whether that’s changing your diet, using hormone therapy, or adjusting your medication. No matter what you want to do, bring it up with your clinician beforehand. Your doctor can give you advice on how to make any changes safely and sensibly.

If you’re not menopausal yet but want to prepare, then books on perimenopause may be a good place to start. Perimenopause is the transitional time before you reach menopause, where your hormones are changing, but you still have periods (even if they start to become irregular). As with menopause, having the right information on perimenopause can bring you peace of mind and help reduce stress. Below, we’ve collated a selection of perimenopause books that cover everything you need to know.

The perimenopause book list

If you’re looking for some menopause reading that focuses on perimenopause, here are a few suggestions:

The New Perimenopause: Written by Dr. Mary Haver, this book follows the same pattern as her best-selling The New Menopause. Aimed at those who want to know more about perimenopause, it offers clear science-backed explanations and insights into the latest research. It also focuses on preventive medicine and prepares readers on how to speak to their doctors.

Hormone Havoc: In Dr. Amy Shah’s book, you’ll discover why your hormones are changing and what that means for your body. To help you manage these symptoms, this book explores nutrition and how your diet can support your hormones during perimenopause.

The Perimenopause Survival Guide: Designed to help you make the most of your time during perimenopause, this book by Dr. Heather Hirsch explores everything from symptoms to solutions, as well as the long-term impact perimenopause can have on your body. This book aims to answer all your perimenopause questions and give you everything you need to take charge of your care.

Picking out the best books on menopause will look different for everyone: The best book for you will be the one that supports your circumstances and your goals. You’ll also need to think about how you like to learn and the kind of information you like to take in.

For example, if you’ve already spoken with your clinician, have read about menopause online, and want help with symptoms, a general overview book might not be ideal for you. You should also think about where you are in the transition: Books on perimenopause might not offer much if you’re already menopausal.