The Power of Perimenopause: A Woman's Guide to Physical and Emotional Health During the Transitional Decade [Paperback]

Stephanie Bender (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 1999

The perimenopausal years can start as early as age thirty-five and last for up to ten years. This transitional period in a woman's life has often been misdiagnosed or ignored. Now Stephanie Bender, an expert in women's hormonal health, sounds a wake-up call for the confusing years before menopause, which require special emotional, dietary, and health guidance.

The Power of Perimenopause explains how symptoms such as irregular cycles, night sweats and insomnia, decreased libido, memory lapses, and mood swings can be traced to fluctuating hormones. It gives detailed recommendations on how to use both conventional and alternative approaches to lessen symptoms, including the most up-to-date research and new treatments. Bender also goes beyond medical advice to show women how all facets of their lives, from diet to attitude to lifestyle, can be transformed to make this an exciting and productive phase. Perimenopause is a time when women can reconsider their beliefs and priorities with newfound wisdom--perhaps discarding outmoded images of female beauty and examining their relationships with lovers and family on a deeper level. The Power of Perimenopause explores this neglected age with practical ways to enhance the quality of all areas of women's lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bender (PMS: Women Tell Women How To Control Premenstrual Syndrome, New Harbinger, 1996), the founder of Full Circle Women's Health in Boulder, CO, contends that most women have no role models for adapting to perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause. Here, she attempts to fill in the information gap. Using case histories of her patients to illustrate common perimenopausal complaints such as hot flashes, mood swings, and decreased libido, she describes various treatment alternatives. In its discussion of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), complementary therapy, osteoporosis, breast cancer and heart disease, and general self-care, her book recalls such recent works as Marcus Laux's Natural Woman, Natural Menopause (LJ 5/1/97) and Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book (LJ 3/1/97). While it is informative and easy to read, it is not that different from the others. An index, complete references, and a more substantial resources section would have been helpful as well. Recommended for larger women's health collections.?Kate Kelly, Massachusetts General Hosp. Lib., Boston
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Stephanie Bender has long provided a clear beacon for American women in her pioneering work in PMS. Now, she once again is a true voyager, offering an important guide for women traversing the bewildering maze of their perimenopausal years."        
--Joseph T. Martorano, M.D., Director of PMS Medical and author of Unmasking PMS and Beyond Negative Thinking


From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (April 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609804162
• ISBN-13: 978-0609804162
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,558,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perimenopause from A to Z!, November 21, 1999

By 

"superevie" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of Perimenopause: A Woman's Guide to Physical and Emotional Health During the Transitional Decade (Paperback)

Stephanie Bender's best selling book The Power of Perimenopause is a concise, extensive and very reader friendly guide to perimenopause. As the editor and creator of HotFlash! the perimenopause/menopause web site and online support group, I have interviewed Ms. Bender. Her enthusiasm and knowledge about women and perimenopause is amazing. Ms. Bender combines both common sense and the best of science to present us with a wonderful guide book to navigate the often turbulent times of perimenopause. I highly recommend her book in my online support group and for any woman going through or preparing for perimenopause. It's a great idea to have the man in your life read the book with you too : ).

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear and Balanced View, April 16, 2000

By 

Kurzy Surfer (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Power of Perimenopause: A Woman's Guide to Physical and Emotional Health During the Transitional Decade (Paperback)

I have done a great deal of research into perimenopause and this book is the most clearly written and informative book I have found. It nicely balances the most up-to-date traditional medical ideas with a realistic view of nutritional, natural and alternative possiblities. I learned more about hormone cycles, perimenopause symptoms, recommended tests and treatment alternatives from this book than any other source. If you even think that you may be going through the preliminary stages of menopause and want to understand what is happening to your body, buy this book.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power of perimenopause, February 10, 2000

By 

kevin mcIntyre (PARIS, ONTARIO, CANADA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of Perimenopause: A Woman's Guide to Physical and Emotional Health During the Transitional Decade (Paperback)

Benders' book was a God Send. When my wife was first going through her hormonal turmoil I sought out and e-mailed Ms. Bender. Her kind words and insight prompted me to purchase a copy of her book. It was filled with tremendous insight and helped me not only to be a better husband but more supportive of the transition my wife was and continues to go through. This book should be considered the "Bible" for all supportive husbands and manditory reading for all couples who go through a Pre-marital course prior to getting marriage. Her insight and direction is in plain and understandable words and highlights the varied journey a woman will go through prior to her menopausal transition. Thank you Stephanie from my family. KJMCINTYRE