The Wisdom of Menopause (Revised Edition): Creating Physical and Emotional Health During the Change [Paperback]

Christiane Northrup M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 3, 2012

Dr. Christiane Northrup’s #1 New York Times bestseller The Wisdom of Menopause has inspired more than a million women with a dramatically new vision of midlife—and will continue to do so for generations to come. As Dr. Northrup has championed, the “change” is not simply a collection of physical symptoms to be “fixed,” but a mind-body revolution that brings the greatest opportunity for growth since adolescence. The choices a woman makes now—from the quality of her relationships to the quality of her diet—have the power to secure vibrant health and well-being for the rest of her life.

Now completely revised, this groundbreaking classic draws on the current research and medical advances in women’s health, and includes
 
• a new section on sex after 50—and how, if need be, you can rejuvenate your sex life
• updated mammogram guidelines—and how thermography improves breast health
• the latest on the glycemic index, optimal blood sugar levels, and ways to prevent diabetes
• dietary guidelines revealing that hidden sugar—not dietary fat—is the main culprit in heart disease, cancer, and obesity
• all you need to know about perimenopause and why it’s critical to your well-being
• a vital program for ensuring pelvic health during and after menopause
• strategies to combat osteoporosis and strengthen bones for life
 
With this trusted resource, Dr. Christiane Northrup shows that women can make menopause a time of personal empowerment—emerging wiser, healthier, and stronger in both mind and body than ever before.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the works of Christiane Northrup, M.D.
 
The Wisdom of Menopause
 
“…One menopause book does rise…above the rest. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, [The Wisdom of Menopause] is the bible of middle-aged womanhood.”—Sandra Tsing Loh, The Atlantic


"The Wisdom of Menopause offers an honest look at the menopausal transition. This is sometimes painful, sometimes humorous, but never boring. If you are looking for realistic, positive, and constructive solutions to the inevitable challenges of life, then look no further—you have found your sourcebook.”—The North American Menopause Society
 
“Northrup writes from experience and, more important, from her professional expertise as a physician who has treated many women and researched menopause. The specific medical advice on sleep, diet, breast health and the empowerment motif will bring insight, comfort and confidence to women embarked on ‘the change.’ ”—Publishers Weekly

Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

“I recommend Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom to all women and also to all men who want to understand and nourish the women in their lives.”—Deepak Chopra, M.D., author of Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul
 
“A masterpiece for every woman who has an interest in her body, her mind, and her soul.”—Caroline Myss, Ph.D., author of Defying Gravity

About the Author

Christiane Northrup, M.D., is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and Mother-Daughter Wisdom, and the host of seven public television specials. A board-certified OB/GYN and past president of the American Holistic Medical Association with more than twenty-five years of clinical and medical teaching experience, Dr. Northrup is a pioneer in the partnership between conventional and complementary medicine. Her work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, and Good Morning America, among many others. She lives in Maine and is the mother of two adult daughters.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Rev Upd edition (January 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553386727
• ISBN-13: 978-0553386721
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (222 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Women's Health > General

More About the Author

Christiane Northrup, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn, is a visionary pioneer, beloved authority in women's health and wellness, and the author of the ground breaking New York Times bestsellers Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause. Her third book, Mother-Daughter Wisdom, was voted Amazon's #1 book of 2005 (in two categories). In The Secret Pleasures of Menopause and The Secret Pleasures of Menopause Playbook, Dr. Northrup teaches how to experience joy, pleasure, prosperity, fulfillment, and vibrant health. Her children's book, Beautiful Girl, brings her positive message to the youngest of girls. Her books have been translated into 24 languages.

Following a 25-year career in both academic medicine and private practice, Dr. Northrup now devotes her time to inspiring women worldwide to truly flourish on all levels through tapping into their inner wisdom. She does this through speaking engagements, on Facebook, in e-newsletters, on her weekly Hay House internet radio show Flourish!, in television appearances and specials.

Don't miss Dr. Northrup's cutting-edge information. Follow Dr. Christiane Northrup on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.drnorthrup.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE BOOK.......LIFE CHANGING INFO January 3, 2012

By Linda Bourdelaise

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Wisdom of Menopause is THE book on health for midlife women. It
covers everything, not just gynecological concerns! In addition to
describing the menopausal change and what to do about hormone
replacement, hot flashes, and insomnia, this book will tell you how to
keep your breasts and heart healthy, how to diet at midlife, and how
to keep your love life hot.

This is the third time I've bought this book. The Wisdom of Menopause
was first issued in 2001 and then reissued in 2006. Unlike a lot of
authors, when Dr. Northrup reissues a book she doesn't just change the
cover. She updates her books to include all the newest research and
medical choices you need to know about to be healthy in mind, body,
and spirit. This edition is no exception. She even explains how to get
through your midlife transition happier than you've ever been before.

The Wisdom of Menopause is HUGE. Each chapter is practically a book!
It quickly became my go-to reference book for health. This book is a
must-have for every woman's library! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!

113 of 123 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Soy Is NOT Safe and Natural HRT March 10, 2007

By Kaayla T. Daniel

Format:Paperback

Dr. Northrup offers a powerful and positive message for midlife women but betrays our trust with dangerously misguided dietary advice. Of particular concern is her recommendation of soy as a safe, all-natural hormone replacement therapy. The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that the studies on soy and menopause are inconsistent,contradictory, of poor quality & too short duration. POSSIBLE benefits are far outweighed by PROVEN risks, including thyroid damage -- already a weak point for midlife women. Dr. Northrup herself has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which is not surprising given her endorsement and avowed consumption of the very high-isoflavone product Revival. Soy also can increase breast cancer risk. I am not alone in this concern. The Israeli Health Ministry has warned that women should exercise caution because of increased breast cancer risk and the French Food Agency will soon require warning labels to this effect. Cornell University's Center for Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors has also warned women at risk for breast cancer to take it easy on soy. Clearly, a good policy is "better safe than sorry."

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Author has Baggage February 24, 2009

By Marmee of 8

Format:Paperback

I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this book. I definitely got some helpful guidance from chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 (Hormones, Hormone Replacement, and Nutrition), but I was annoyed by many of the other chapters. Christiane Northrup starts the book by justifying why she got divorced during her menopausal years. Also, I noticed throughout the entire book a general aversion to men. She treats the subject of marriage and family like it's a ball and chain for women. Almost all of the examples are negative when it comes to family life and heterosexual marriage. If you want a book about perimenopause and menopause that is not filled with the author's baggage, I'd recommend The Change Before the Change by Laura E. Corio, M.D.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Medical Reference with Heart January 7, 2012

By bunnyrabbit4 VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

One of the many things I've always appreciated about Dr. Northrup's work is that her research and brilliance in the field of women's health is delivered with a large dose of highly personal experience. Her book is rich with inspiring stories taken from her own life and those of her patients. The Wisdom of Menopause is as much her story as it is ours.

For those of us trying to retain our sanity while dealing with a medical and pharmaceutical system that sees our reproductive organs only in terms of cancer and profit, this book is priceless. With so many studies put out that conflict (often from industry public relations sources) it is important to have a reliable guide who can inform as well as debunk. Dr. Northrup's ability to sift through the data and separate myth from truth is a godsend. Not only does she give us the right questions to ask when confronting either a discomfort or a diagnosis, but she spends much of the books 600+ pages on wellness. Thankfully I didn't find those annoying, victimizing "Breast Cancer Awareness" ads here. I found Breast Health advice! Isn't that what we really want to know?? How do I keep these babies healthy?...NOT just how do I diagnose them. And if you should be diagnosed with a cancer you will be given traditional and alternative methods for dealing with it as well as a careful explanation of topics like over-diagnosis of conditions which are not life-threatening. She doesn't just treat the body, her mind-body-emotion approach treats the person.

As noted, this book is not just about what can go wrong. She covers diet, exercise, supplements, sex after 50 and the very positive neurological changes that reunite us with the energy and enthusiasm many of us lost after puberty. This isn't the paternalistic medicine you may be used to.... It makes you want to take a great big healthy breath of life and she is there encouraging us every step of the way. I've followed her online Hay House Radio program for a few years now. If you still wonder if this book is right for you, give it listen on Wednesday mornings. You can usually call in and ask her your question in person unless the program is a rebroadcast. Read more ›

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a helpful guide to menopause November 11, 2010

By Vienne Suzette

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The gist of this book is that all of a woman's medical problems during the perimenopausal and menopausal years are due to years of unhappiness, either with herself, her job, kids, but probably mainly her marriage. Medical problems such as heart disease, cancer, fibromyalgia, etc are all manifestations of a woman's deep feelings of misery. Dr. Northrup continually encourages the reader to look deep within and discover what is making her so miserable and change it. Divorce is offered as the best solution to medical issues from hot flashes to heart attacks. If you're looking for a medical guide, look elsewhere. If you think you might be miserable and need this book to convince you that you are, this is the book for you!