A Woman's Guide to Menopause and Perimenopause

January 1, 2005
In 2002, the National Institutes of Health ended the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) study that was part of the Women's Health Initiative after it was discovered that hormones-which were supposed to prevent heart disease and osteoporosis while relieving hot flashes and night sweats-actually increased the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. Minkin (obstetrics & gynecology, Yale Univ. Sch. of Medicine) and freelance writer Wright have revised and updated their 1996 work, What Every Woman Needs To Know About Menopause, to help women cope with the resulting confusion. In a brief history of HRT and an explanation of the Women's Health Initiative study, the authors explain how to interpret the findings and put the risks of breast cancer and heart disease in perspective. The pros and cons of HRT, PMS and its possible link to perimenopause, treatments for menopausal symptoms, sexuality, and osteoporosis are discussed. The authors also cover cancer of the reproductive organs, heart health, general fitness for midlife women, surgical procedures, and "fibroids, incontinence, itching, and other midlife annoyances." Owing to its objective coverage of the HRT controversy and the Women's Health Initiative, this valuable resource and worthy replacement for Morris Notelovitz and Diana Tonnesson's Menopause and Midlife Health is essential for all public and consumer health libraries.-Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.