[Updated January 2022]
Self help books about the menopause – wow, where do you start? Search menopause in Amazon and there are 2329 available on Kindle, with 952 of those on Kindle Unlimited alone.
There are books by medical experts, celebrities, nutritionists, fitness gurus and more. Books about menopause symptoms, solutions, personal experiences, diet, exercise, HRT and natural remedies.
There are even menopause books for men – about both the female and male menopause! Read on for my thoughts about the following self help books for menopause that I’ve enjoyed or found useful.
My selection of self help books about the menopause includes:
Surgical Menopause: Not Your Typical Menopause by Helen Kemp
Manage Your Menopause Naturally by Marion Stewart
So … That’s Why I’m Bonkers by Sheila Wenborne
The Happy Menopause by Jackie Lynch
Men … Let’s Talk Menopause by Ruth Devlin
The Menopause Monologues 1 & 2 by Harriet Powell
Menopause: 35 Women by Caroline Vollans
Confessions of a Menopausal Woman by Andrea McLean
I’m Not Dead Yet (Adventures of a Menopausal Woman) by Janice Ann Coulson
Woman of a Certain Rage by Georgie Hall (Fiona Walker)
Menopause – I’m So Over It! by Laurie Glass
Self Help Books for Menopause
Surgical Menopause: Not Your Typical Menopause by Helen Kemp
Having had a hysterectomy at 39, I was keen to read Surgical Menopause – Not Your Typical Menopause by Helen Kemp. There are numerous books out there about all different aspects of menopause, but this is the first that I’ve seen focusing on this type of menopause.
Whilst I don’t strictly fall into the surgical menopause category (my uterus was removed but my ovaries were left in place), I was interested to read more as I felt this type of menopause might be closer to my own.
Part 1 was encouraging in that more specialist practitioners are getting on board within the medical profession. They describe in detail what a surgical menopause is (basically when menopause is brought on by the removal of a woman’s ovaries) along with possible treatments. There is still a long way to go but with women nowadays seeking more answers and solutions, hopefully there will be more information for both patients and practitioners in generations to come.
Due for release April 2021 (I was sent an early PDF copy for review consideration)
Manage Your Menopause Naturally by Maryon Stewart
World-renowned author of 27 books, Maryon Stewart has written a new menopause self help book with a difference. Manage Your Menopause Naturally is a 6 week plan devised from scientific studies to help reduce your menopause symptoms without the need for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
The plan is based on replacing much needed nutrients (via food and supplements), planning an overall healthy diet, the intake of plant-based oestrogen, exercise, and relaxation. It works on improving your whole health. Maryon advises that any changes should be done gradually, hence the 6 week plan.
There are checklists for symptoms that give ideas and dietary/nutrient changes to combat each problem, along with suggestions for supplements, apps and free videos on YouTube to support this.
Scientific studies feature heavily in this plan, and you will read facts and statistics to back up the advice throughout the book. However, you will be able to easily skip those sections if it doesn’t interest you as it is clearly laid out. There are also lots of patient experiences in relevant chapters too.
The book was originally published in the USA, but is being released in the UK on 5 January 2021. You will notice that some of the spellings are still American, and the recipes are listed in oz* and cups, but the supplement brands are listed with UK and US names.
* (1 oz = 25g approx. Google for exact translation)
Part 2 covers the workplace, complementary therapies, and looking after your heart and bones during menopause.
Part 3 shows how to plan your phyto rich meals, along with suggestions and recipes for meals/snacks in daily sample menus that cover the whole 6 weeks. I found this very useful.
An in depth resource for those who want to look into a natural way to manage their menopause symptoms.
So … That’s Why I’m Bonkers by Sheila Wenborne
So … That’s Why I’m Bonkers is a self help book about the menopause that is tackled with a bit of humour and some fun illustrations. As it only takes a couple of hours to read, it’s the perfect introductory book for women approaching the change of life, and even for their men folk who are wondering what on earth is going on!
The book discusses symptoms such as of lack of sex drive, forgetfulness, tearfulness and feeling that quite frankly you’re going mad. It is all told in a Victoria Wood type tone.
It covers lesser publicised symptoms such as menopausal acne, dizziness, vaginal atrophy, memory loss, mental health problems, crawling skin, and aching joints.
There is an interesting section about history and myths, with viewpoints from around the world as to whether or not culture or ethnicity has a bearing on it. I liked one anecdote that women who were post-menopause in ancient times were respected as the female elders and thought of as a teacher, healer and leader.
There’s lots of helpful information and advice on dealing with symptoms including lists of vitamins, herbs and medications, as well as various relaxation exercises and alternative therapies including the author’s own business of magnetic aids called Aura3.
There is a whole section on sex, celebrities who discuss menopause, crime benefits, and a bit about the male menopause including a fabulous quote from John Wayne (see above image).
The Happy Menopause by Jackie Lynch
The Happy Menopause is written by nutritionist and author Jackie Lynch. There is a clear introduction about what to expect from this self-help menopause book which focuses primarily on nutrition and lifestyle.
Each chapter deals with an ailment of menopause and covers the symptoms, why it happens, ideal nutrition, what to avoid, and lifestyle tips.
I found chapter 2 particularly interesting about the effect that low blood sugar and stress has on the body in relation to the menopause. I know that it’s important to get magnesium into the body but I found it very useful to know that it can be achieved by having a bath with 2/3 handfuls of Epsom salts in the water as your skin absorbs the magnesium in the salts.
At the end of the book, there is an in-depth guide to nutrients and micronutrients which is useful for anyone whether you are menopausal or not.
The book is a 2-3 hour read and a useful resource to refer back to if needed. Published by Watkins Publishing.
Men … Let’s Talk Menopause by Ruth Devlin
I first featured a full review about Men … Let’s Talk Menopause last year, but have had such good feedback from men that I wanted to make sure it was included here too.
Let’s face it men get a raw deal from our menopause symptoms too and can be left feeling bewildered, hurt and angry at what is happening to their wives or partners.
This no-nonsense guide explains it in simple terms in an hour’s reading and is a perfect way to explain what happens during menopause. you can read my full review of Men … Let’s Talk Menopause HERE.
Personal Experiences of Menopause
As well as factual and medical books about the menopause, I find it highly beneficial to read the personal experiences of other women who are or have been through menopause.
Menopause Monologues 1 & 2 by Harriet Powell
I have featured The Menopause Monologues 1 and 2 on my blog previously but wanted to include them both in this round up of books.
Both books feature very honest accounts of how the menopause has affected the lives of the women and men featured in this book. There is a selection of funny and tragic stories, but also feature a new generation of women who are determined that others know where to go to find help to be happy and healthy.
You can read more on my original post about The Menopause Monologues 1 & 2 HERE
Menopause: 35 Women by Caroline Vollans
Menopause: 35 Women Speak is very much along the same lines as The Menopause Monologues. The author Caroline Vollans asked her audience a question. “What would you like to say about the menopause?” The responses formed the book.
The women are from different generations, class and ethnic backgrounds and you will see that all three factors have prevented women from speaking out in the past.
I think there is something in here that every middle aged woman can identify with. Some of the responses are in art form which I found an interesting and unique approach. This is available in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited
Confessions of a Menopausal Woman by Andrea McLean
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I will admit to thinking it was probably just another celeb jumping on the menopause bandwagon but it is very good and well written.
I’m sure everyone knows who Andrea McLean is so it’s easy to read it in her friendly voice. She has managed to get the perfect balance between writing about her own menopause, the facts from experts, and the thoughts of other women.
It’s very honest and not at all preachy like some books. There are lots of tips, but she does show that you don’t have to be perfect with regards to diet and exercise. It’s ok to have a little treat now and then, and you need to do what works for you with exercise. She states that sometimes she only feels like doing 5 mins, and on occasions, she will do half an hour. This is so important to read as so often we are made to feel that we must tick every box all of the time – and for most of us, that’s just not doable.
I guess this one resonated more with me having had a hysterectomy too, but there’s more than enough in here to keep everyone interested. A really good read.
I’m Not Dead Yet (Adventures of a Menopausal Woman) by Janice Ann Coulson
I’m Not Dead Yet (Adventures of a Menopausal Woman) is not your typical menopause book, but a personal travel diary of one woman whose menopausal symptoms caused her to pack in her job and take herself off to Asia on her own for 3 months!
Whilst Jan does talk about the annoying symptoms of the menopause, and her own fears and foibles, this story shows menopause in a more positive light. A time to put yourself first, not to do jobs that cause you stress and upset, and start a new chapter in life. It’s also even more admirable that Jan wrote and published this herself!
It’s told in the first person and written in a very witty tone. It was full of interesting travel information and fun observations of the people she met along the way. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. A really enjoyable read.
I really admired her for taking this leap and I think if we were to meet in real life I’d rather like her. The story was told in such a personable way, I almost feel like I know her already.
I did wonder whether to put this in my Tripfiction book post that focuses on travel destinations all over the world, but as the menopause has affected Jan’s decisions and actions, even more so when she comes home, I thought it was a relevant book to include in this collection.
Definitely worth a read if you have Kindle Unlimited
Woman of a Certain Rage by Georgie Hall
Whilst this is not a self help book, Woman of a Certain Rage has got plenty of situations that menopausal women will identify with, and reading about someone else’s experiences can often help you deal with your own. I enjoyed this fiction book so much I had to include it here.
Our main character Eliza is a mum, daughter, sister, and wife who is finding menopausal life a bit tough.
As it’s written in the first person, her experiences and thoughts are clear and oh so familiar. Many of us will know the changes you feel as a parent of growing children, the fear of your own parents’ mortality, and the way others see aging women.
Woman of a Certain Rage made me laugh, made me sad, and as a lady of a similar age, I could identify with this on so many levels.
Although Eliza’s “adventure” is maybe not something we will all get to experience, it’s full of real life scenarios. The way that the little dog’s death was dealt with was spot on and gave me misty eyes on several occasions remembering the loss of my own dog.
I love that autism features as a big part of the story and think it’s important for neurotypical people to know more about it.
I’m pleased to find this was written by Fiona Walker, who has been a long time favourite author of mine. Once I realised this I could clearly see it was written in Fiona’ s tone.
Even though Eliza is a middle aged woman, the story is bang up to date. It’s written to include current culture and thoughts.
It also made me look up the meanings of heart emojis. Who knew? I just use them because the colours match the photo I’m sharing on Instagram 😂. I’ll be more careful in future.
Menopause – I’m So Over It! by Laurie Glass
Menopause I’m so Over It! is a collection of poems, songs, quizzes and rants about menopause. Some are funny, some are quite sad, detailing the numerous debilitating symptoms of menopause.
I absolutely love the cover. Sums up menopause perfectly.
This short read is free on kindle.
I’d also like to draw your attention to Christmas at the Beach Hut by Veronica Henry if you want to read about a menopausal woman who runs away for Christmas, and a poetry book called A Cat Shaped Space by Milly Johnson where Milly kindly shares an excerpt of her poem The Menopause. See if you recognise any of the symptoms. 😉
Have you read any of these books, did you find them useful?
Or maybe you have other menopause books to recommend?
There are many other menopause self help books out there and I will come back to this post and update if as I read more, but you might also like to look up:
The Good Menopause Guide by Liz Earle
The Natural Menopause Plan by Maryon Stewart
Menopause: The One Step Guide by Kathy Abernethy
Me & My Menopausal Vagina by Jane Lewis
Confessions of a Menopausal Woman by Andrea McLean
Older and Wiser by Jenny Eclair
Twitter: @SheilaWenborne @aura3uk @thelittletaboo @WellWellWellUK @RuthDevlin @CarolineVollans @maryonstewart @SurMenoNYTM @GeorgieHall
Tea & Cake For The Soul 
Thanks for all the information! Will add a link to this post in my post on menopause.
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Thank you.
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Have you read Fifty Shades of Menopause by Mickey Harpaz? I found it useful at the start of my surgical menopause. Reblogged your wonderful post.
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No I haven’t thanks for reblogging and your suggestions.
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