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Women at the Well : The Many Voices of Menopause

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Add another book to your summer reading list, especially if you, or someone you know, is going through menopause. "Women at the Well: The Many Voices of Menopause" is a compilation of personal stories from women throughout the nation and beyond. Edited as well as collected by both Marielena Zuniga and Frances Schwabenland, the book is not only incredibly touching but enlightening for those who have not yet experienced menopause.

Published by Xlibris 2001, the 33 first-person stories of varying perspective give the reader insight as to what has, or hasn't helped each one of these women through menopause. While hundreds of books have been written by doctors and other experts, these women are clearly the experts solely by virtue of their experiences.

Ginger from Jacksonville, Florida, tells in her story of physicians who didn't take her symptoms seriously and instead told her they were all stress related. Helen of Petaluma, California, mentions fatigue and weight gain in her story. And in each of the 33 tales, there is always one thing, if not more, that differs from all other stories.

Physical issues are not the only matters discussed in this book. Spiritual and emotional hardships are brought about in many of the narratives. Cheryl, from Decatur, Georgia, told of her arduous times when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin disease and the following remission. Catharine of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, shared her metaphoric comparison to Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," stating that there was "nothing in the wizard's black bag for me."

While many of the thoughts expressed in this book are heart-warming in parts, many have heart-wrenching details that every person, not just women, can relate to.

Each woman in her story gives the reader not only a great insight into her life but also into who she is and how she dealt with both perimenopause and menopause.

A great many thanks are owed to Schwabenland and Zuniga for their efforts in sharing the once taboo topic of menopause.

This book gives first-hand accounts of the many different physical and emotional symptoms of menopause. The voices sound a warning note, in that many women talk about the inadequate and downright ignorant responses by the medical profession, but they also tell how "the change" has been positive and empowering. Given the taboos and mis-information surrounding this subject, the book is timely and important.

This small book holds your attention from start to finish. The stories of 33 women's experiences with menopause are refreshing in their honesty. The mystical veil that has surrounded this episode of a woman's life is lifted, somewhat, as we laugh and cry with each of these women that are willing to share their private joy and pain. This book is packed with educational information as well. Any woman who is currently going through menopause, perimenopause, or is post-menopausal will relate to many of the stories.

This collection of women's stories of their experiences at midlife and menopause helps all of us be strong and fine the wisdom in this time of life. To know that these midlife experiences are shared by many is very reassuring. So many times women report feeling that there is something wrong with themselves - that they are going crazy. In fact they are growing toward wisdom. Stories such as these are a must for midlife women.As the author of WOMEN'S MIDLIFE WORKBOOK: MOVING TOWARD JOY, CREATIVITY, AND HEALTH, and knowing the struggles of many midlife women, this book presents definite encouragement and I recommend it whole heartedly.