The Change Before the Change: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Healthy in the Decade Before Menopause [Paperback]

Laura Corio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2002

The Essential Book for Every Woman Over 35

You’re in the prime of life. As far as you know, menopause could be years away. So why is your body sending you such weird messages?

Women today can’t afford to lose time and energy to the common, but often misdiagnosed, symptoms of perimenopause — from mood swings and stubborn extra pounds to hot flashes and insomnia — that precedemenopause by as much as a decade.

In this lively and solution-packed book, renowned ob/gyn Dr. Laura Corio provides all the information you need to take charge of your physical and emotional well-being:

• Hormone treatment before menopause, including all the new, natural, and low-dose forms that are making this a safe choice for more women

• Herbs, soy, and other alternative therapies that are backed by solid medical research

• How perimenopause affects fertility — and what to do if you want to get pregnant

• How your skin, hair, and nails reflect deeper changes — and how to make them vibrant again

• Ways to combat cancer fears — and what tests you absolutely must have

• Whether a high-protein diet is right for you — and what vitamins and minerals you should be taking

• What to do now to protect your breasts, uterus, bones, and heart in the years to come

• Diet and exercises to prevent or minimize symptoms, and much more!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"There's no need to be a martyr!" insist the authors of The Change Before the Change: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Healthy in the Decade Before Menopause, ob-gyn Laura E. Corio and health writer Linda G. Kahn. They wrote The Change for women, usually over 35, who have started experiencing some of the symptoms that indicate that menopause is approaching. This transition time, which can last for several years before menstrual periods stop, is called perimenopause. Symptoms may include "irregular bleeding, hot flashes, palpitations, mood swings, headaches, insomnia, memory loss, vaginal itching and dryness, lack of libido, dry skin and hair, weight gain." The Change documents how perimenopausal women can counter these symptoms by adding certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and foods to their diet; making simple lifestyle changes; and using hormone preparations, including natural hormones and low-dose estrogen. At the same time, Corio and Kahn wisely stress that relief isn't a quick fix, but should be an ongoing collaboration between you and your doctor. "Your body is not a car that you simply take to the shop for a new set of spark plugs," they say. "It's a complicated, fascinating organism that should command your full interest and attention."

The book covers the symptoms of perimenopause; changes in fertility; long-term health of the heart, breasts, reproductive organs, thyroid, and bones; and therapies including medical treatments, supplements, and herbs. Corio and Kahn don't tell you what to do if you're encountering perimenopausal symptoms; rather, they introduce you to your options, as if you were a patient asking for advice. Many case studies and anecdotes from Corio's own patients make The Change lively and involving. --Joan Price --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

When Corio, attending physician at Mount Sinai Hospital and cohost of the radio show Women for Women, was in medical school two decades ago, gender-specific medicine barely existed. Today, it is commonplaceDa huge benefit to the 50 million women in America (a third of the female population) who are of perimenopausal or menopausal age. Notable for its clarity, comprehensiveness, and currency, this book describes the signs and effects of perimenopause and suggests treatment options, focusing on the use of vitamins, minerals, herbs, foods, phytoestrogrens, and hormone preparations, all largely of the "natural" variety. Dosages and caveats concerning the use of these products are given, and Corio emphasizes that her suggestions should not be implemented without consulting one's physician. But this is more than a book about perimenopause; its intent is optimization of overall health, and its discussion extends to bones, breasts, the heart, screening tests, etc. The narrative is peppered with interesting and pertinent case histories. This book should be helpful to women of a certain age and is highly recommended.DLinda M.G. Katz, Florence A. Moore Lib. of Medicine, MCP Hahnemann Univ., Philadelphia
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (January 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553380311
• ISBN-13: 978-0553380316
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where have you been, Laura Corio?, November 22, 2000

By 

Sharyn Wolf "Sharyn Wolf" (NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Change Before the Change : Everything You Need to Know to Stay Healthy in the Decade Before Menopause (Hardcover)

I am thrilled with this book and looking forward to recommending it to my friends, family and patients with whom I have shared many of these symptoms without understanding what my body was trying to tell me. What a relief to know what's happening, to know what to do, to have this information come in such a thoroughly researched, easy to read, engaging book.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book. So informative and encouraging, November 11, 2002

By 

Deborah A. Brown "Need-to-exercise girl" (Kalamazoo, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Change Before the Change: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Healthy in the Decade Before Menopause (Paperback)

As an Labor and Delivery nurse, I have to get Continuing Educational Units for my license. This book was the text book for a at-home course. Anyway, knowing that I have some of the symptoms of perimenopause, I wanted to learn more about what I was going through and where it was all going. This book did all that and more.

Excellently written for the lay person or professional. Covers symptoms, pathophysiology (what is going on in the body), what to expect, what to do about it.....and maybe what other physical problems may be occurring that are not related to perimenopause and could be misdiagnosed.

The book made me giggle several times...."oh yeah, I am doing that...oh and that, too. You learn that you are not losing your mind, that it is all a natural process and YES, you can do something about it to ease the journey.

Actually, the woman's body is pretty amazing. It goes through so many changes throughout life. Sure keeps life interesting...grin.

So now I am purchasing the book for my friend...who ran out of the restaurant/bar the other night having a hot flash...she worries that something is not right...grin.
I am sure this will help.

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars this misses the point, September 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Change Before the Change : Everything You Need to Know to Stay Healthy in the Decade Before Menopause (Hardcover)

This has a nice rahrah tone, but doesn't have the information or support suggestions I found in THE PAUSE by Dr. Lonnie BArbach -- a book I'm very glad my doctor recommended when I expressed my disappointment in this one. In THE PAUSE I found the kind of detail interpretation and facts which explained not just physical and emotional symptoms, but ways of handling them. It really helped me get going again and I recommend it instead.