Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD

 

In my quest to learn more about menopause, I chose to listen to the unabridged audio version of Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD, which is well narrated by the author.

Dr. Tara Allmen MD gives women a very comprehensive look at perimenopause and menopause as well as other women's health issues/tests one can/should expect in midlife and beyond. Topics like colonoscopies and the latest information on pap smears and pelvic exams, mammograms, ultrasounds, and so on, that added more value and understanding when it comes to aging when women hit midlife and beyond. The primary focus, of course, for this book is perimenopause and menopause.

I loved the wide variety of topics discussed in Menopause Confidential by the author and the chapters that focused on specific topics that I felt were pertinent for a better understanding of women's health as I move forward from middle age into old age. 

I also loved that Dr. Tara Allmen MD read her own book! She made listening to her book so much fun. I found myself enjoying the knowledge she shared in her book about women's health to be less scary or intimidating. Menopause is sort of a scary topic if you ask me. The author made her book about menopause extremely accessible to the average reader (nothing overly scientific or complicated) and also a very engaging read. 

I was also very pleased that Dr. Tara Allmen MD discussed bioidentical hormones in one of her chapters!!

Although, I enjoyed Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD even more than Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts, I still felt that it wasn't a perfect read. It was originally published back in September 2016. Although, I felt like it contained relevant information, I'm sure there is the possibly that there's newer information out there regarding perimenopause and menopause. 

Also, Menopause Confidential does elude to the fact that there isn't a one size fits all solution for treating perimenopause and menopause. The same is also eluded to in Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts as well. So, there seems to be a bit of trial and error in finding what best works for you in terms of treating both perimenopause and menopause. However, with that said, I feel like there are more detailed treatment options given in Menopause Confidential for one to explore and discuss with their medical doctor.

Watch the following book trailer for Menopause Confidential... It's short, to the point, and features the author talking about her book!!

Below is the publisher's summary for Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD from Chirp's website:

An authoritative guide to understanding and navigating the hormonal changes and health issues women experience in midlife and beyond, from one of the leading medical experts in the field.

The physical changes that occur after women turn forty are unavoidable—and can be unnerving. Menopause affects every aspect of life—from sex and sleep to mood and mental clarity to weight and body temperature. While there are a number of resources available, many are confusing and contradictory. Now, Manhattan gynecologist Dr. Tara Allmen, an experienced, nationally board-certified menopause practitioner and the recipient of the 2015 Doctor’s Choice National Award for Obstetrics & Gynecology, shares her knowledge to help women be their happiest and healthiest, and turn this challenging time into an exciting one. 

Written in her effervescent yet assured voice, Menopause Confidential provides simple strategies and cutting-edge information on:

• hormonal changes and the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause;
• the health risks associated with midlife—from cutting through the conflicting opinions and advice about health screenings (Do I really need a colonoscopy? How often should I get a mammogram?) to common medical conditions, such as osteoporosis;
• various remedies, both allopathic and natural, to combat symptoms and empower women to make the best choices for their individual needs;
• practical tips and resources for mitigating the effects of menopause.

Fifty-one-year-old Dr. Allmen knows firsthand what women are going through, and shares stories of her own personal travails and solutions. Women can’t turn back the clock, but they can take control of their health and flourish in midlife. Menopause Confidential encourages them to be informed, be proactive, and be their greatest selves.

I am giving Menopause Confidential by Tara Allmen, MD a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Top 5 Midlife & Menopause Books You Should Be Reading per Heather Hirsch M.D.

 

In seeking out more book titles about menopause,

I came across the above video on YouTube!

I stumbled across Dr. Heather Hirsch's YouTube channel

while using the search term 'best menopause books'.

Since Dr. Hirsch's video was uploaded to YouTube 

relatively recently and was under 11 minutes in length,

I decided to watch it. I'm sure glad I watched the video as Dr. Hirsch provided nice information regarding each book 

and why she picked them.

The above video offers other books to consider reading when learning more about menopause.

8 Menopause Books To Help You Navigate the Transition

 

I'm all in on learning more about various women's health issues.

My current health topic to learn more about is perimenopause/menopause

as I'm currently in the thick of things for this health topic.

I've already read and reviewed Dare I Say It by Naomi Watts, which was the first book I've read about menopause. Click on the above link to read my review of Naomi Watts's book.

I'm looking to explore other books regarding the topic of menopause.

Earlier this week, I came across an article found on the Women's World website titled, '8 Menopause Books You’ll Love: Advice From Experts and Real Women to Help You Thrive' by Courtney Shapiro.

In the article, Courtney Shapiro wrote the following:

"For decades, it was taboo to talk about menopause, let alone celebrate this phase of life. Now, women are much more candid about their experiences and looking for new ways to educate themselves. For that reason, publishers are coming out with scores of menopause books. Penned by gynecologists, real women, holistic health experts and even celebrities (hello, Naomi Watts!), these titles separate myth from reality and dive deep into what really happens during menopause—and what you can do to make it easier. With so many books to choose from, we’ve rounded up our favorites of the newest books—including several coming out later this year. Keep scrolling for our complete list of menopause nonfiction books."

I've already read one of the books mentioned in Courtney Shapiro's 

article. I've added others to my ever growing reading wishlist.

Click on above link to rad the full article from Women's World.

Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts

Currently, I am going through the perimenopause/menopause transition. Ugh, MENOPAUSE is not my favorite word! Some people don't like turning a certain age, but quite frankly, facing menopause is more scary than when I turned 50 years old. 

Needless to say, I've stuck my head in the sand when it comes to reading up on menopause, until now that is. I've very recently started doing research online, attending virtual webinars/seminars, and watching YouTube videos about menopause. After I continue doing a bit more research, I'll be setting up an appointment(s), on how to treat symptoms of perimenopause/menopause with a specialist.

I wish women would talk more about perimenopause/menopause with each other and share their experiences going through this life changing event. Honestly, it's like the previous generations were completely mum about the topic of menopause as if it was a dirty word/secret. Thank goodness, more women are opening up and talking about menopause and their own personal experiences with menopause.

Since I'm interested in learning more about perimenopause/menopause, I couldn't resist buying and listening to Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts. Naomi Watts also narrates her own book too.

Normally, I wouldn't make a nonfiction book written by a celebrity my first choice as a book to read about menopause. I'd rather read books or articles about menopause written by medical experts. That aside, I decided to listen to Naomi Watts's book about menopause as it was on sale for a fraction of the cost via one of Chirp's limited time deals. Another factor for reading Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause is that it was recently published on January 21, 2025, and it also has received good reviews and high ratings on both Amazon and Goodreads.

As far as Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause goes, I was impressed on several levels with this book. It's well written and well organized with very specific topics for each chapter. Each chapter ends with the key take away points discussed earlier in the chapter. I like the diverse range of topics about menopause discussed in this book. Naomi Watts also talks about her personal journey with menopause and how she has handled it. Ms. Watts appears to have done her research and cites medical experts and literature throughout her book. Even though Namoi Watts is a celebrity and not a medical expert, I think as a celebrity, she can attract an audience that might otherwise not read a book about menopause.

As much as I really enjoyed listening to Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause, it wasn't perfect. I wish more was discussed about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) vs. the little that was discussed about it under the umbrella topic of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I'm personally not a big proponent of HRT as a method of choice for managing hormonal changes during perimenopause/menopause. I'm leaning more towards BHRT instead, which is why I wish there was more discussed specifically on this topic. I'm not a medical expert/doctor/researcher and still need to do more to learn more about HRT vs. BHRT.

Two factoids I learned while reading Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause, the word perimenopause didn't appear in our lexicon until the 1930s and the word menopause was coined in 1821 by French physician Charles-Pierre-Louis de Gardanne.

Above is an NPR interview featuring Naomi Watts discussing her book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause. The interview itself is about 9 minutes in length, that's if you're interested in hearing a snippet of what Ms. Watts's menopause book has to offer.

Below is the publisher's summary for Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts from Chirp's website:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A frank, funny and informative guide to menopause and aging by beloved actress Naomi Watts, one of the leading voices in menopause awareness—with a foreword by Mary Claire Haver, MD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause

At thirty-six, Naomi Watts had just completed filming King Kong and was trying to start a family when she was told that she was on the brink of menopause. It is estimated that seventy-five million women in the United States are currently dealing with menopause symptoms (dry itchy skin, raging hormones, night sweats), and yet the very word “menopause” continues to be associated with stigma and confusion. With so little information, many women feel unprepared, ashamed, and deeply alone when the time comes.

This is the book Naomi Watts wishes she had when she first started experiencing symptoms. Like sitting down over coffee and having an intimate chat with your girlfriend, Dare I Say It blends funny and poignant stories from Naomi and her friends with advice from doctors, hormone experts, and nutritionists to take the secrecy and shame out of menopause and aging. Answering questions such as: What’s hormone therapy and should I be on it? Will I ever sleep again? Will I get myself back? What happened to my libido? Do I need eighteen serums for my aging skin? Whose body is this anyway? Who am I now? Naomi Watts shares the most up-to-date research on how to manage menopause symptoms and tackle the physical and emotional challenges we encounter as we age.

Irreverent, bold, and reassuring, Dare I Say It is the companion every woman needs to embrace the best version of herself as she moves into what can be the most powerful and satisfying period of her life.

I am giving Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

P. S. I always find it difficult rating and reviewing nonfiction books about diet, health, and exercise as I'm not a medical doctor or a medical researcher. I only base my book reviews and ratings on how well I feel the information is presented and whether I feel what has been written contains useful information for myself.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends

 

I first learned about fire cider last year. Intrigued by the idea of fire cider, I read more about it online and even watched a few YouTube videos on the topic as well. I even found a video featuring Rosemary Gladstar making her very own recipe of fire cider for all to make, which was fun to watch.

I came across Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends for 43% off the cover price on Amazon. I almost didn't purchase this book because there are so many different fire cider recipes out there on the internet for free one can download... But I am glad that I made the leap and purchased Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends as it lived up to the glowing reviews!!

Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends is a physically gorgeous book! It's a nice sized paperback with lightly textured, matte pages. Both the exterior and interior of this book are beautifully illustrated. I enjoyed the layout and presentation of the material/information presented in Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends. The font style and font size used for Fire Cider made for easy ready on the eyes.

I've never made or tried fire cider before. There are a WIDE variety of fire cider recipes out there to choose from, which will suit all tastes. I am not sure I want to make fire cider from scratch as it sounds like quite a bit of work to make in the form of chopping, which will be too much for my CRPS issues at this time. The good news is that I've seen fire cider sold on various platforms, including Amazon! Have you ever made and/or used fire cider? What were your results with making and/or using fire cider?

There are also plenty of foodie related recipes using fire cider in Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends. 

Below is the publisher's summary for Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends I discovered on Amazon's website:

For more than 30 years, best-selling author and popular herbalist Rosemary Gladstar has been touting the health benefits of fire cider — a spicy blend of apple cider vinegar, onion, ginger, horseradish, garlic, and other immune-boosting herbs. Her original recipe, inspired by traditional cider vinegar remedies, has given rise to dozens of fire cider formulations created by fans of the tonic who use it to address everyday ills, from colds and flu to leg cramps and hangovers. Fire Cider! is a lively collection of 101 recipes contributed by more than 70 herbal enthusiasts, with energizing versions ranging from Black Currant Fire Cider to Triple Goddess Vinegar, Fire Cider Dark Moonshine, and Bloody Mary Fire Cider. Colorful asides, including tribute songs and amusing anecdotes, capture Gladstar’s passionate desire to pass along the fire cider tradition.

The following is a YouTube video of Rosemary Gladstar sharing her fire cider recipe.

I am giving Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul A. Offit M.D.

Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul A. Offit M.D. is the third book by Paul A. Offit M.D. I've read and I look forward to reading more of his books in the future... In fact, I already have Offit's most recently published book, Tell Me When It's Over: An Insider's Guide to Deciphering Covid Myths and Navigating Our Post-Pandemic World, in my 'tbr' pile... Let's just say that Paul A. Offit M.D. has become an author I have on auto-buy as his books are really well written and very informative!

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul A. Offit M.D. and narrated by Tim H. Dixon. If you love listening to nonfiction books that fall into the science, health, and medicine categories, then this book is for you! It's a truly excellent read and packed with tons of information. The only think I wasn't in love with was the narrator for this book. Tim H. Dixon is a decent narrator, but overall not that great. Otherwise, the book itself is WONDERFUL!!

I love how Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul A. Offit M.D. is organized into six distinct health/medical sections (infections, supplements and drugs, cancer screening, surgery, etc.) with individual chapters in each section. Each chapter discusses a specific medical/health topic that falls into one of the six areas Offit focused on in his book. Some of these chapters are titled  'Antibiotic Drops Don't Treat Pinkeye', 'The False Security of Sunblock', 'Heart Stents Don't Prolong Lives', and 'Don't Ice Sprains'. Each of these chapters goes into much detail as to why modern science has had it wrong.

Below is the publisher's summary for Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul A. Offit M.D. I discovered on Chirp's website:

An acclaimed medical expert and patient advocate offers an eye-opening look at many common and widely used medical interventions that have been shown to be far more harmful than helpful. Yet, surprisingly, despite clear evidence to the contrary, most doctors continue to recommend them.

Modern medicine has significantly advanced in the last few decades as more informed practices, thorough research, and incredible breakthroughs have made it possible to successfully treat and even eradicate many serious ailments. Illnesses that once were a death sentence, such as HIV and certain forms of cancer, can now be managed, allowing those affected to live longer, healthier lives. Because of these advances, we now live 30 years longer than we did 100 years ago.

But while we have learned much in the preceding decades that has changed our outlook and practices, we still rely on medical interventions that are vastly out of date and can adversely affect our health. We all know that finishing the course of antibiotics prevents the recurrence of illness, that sunscreens block harmful UV rays that cause skin cancer, and that all cancer-screening programs save lives. But do scientific studies really back this up?

In this game-changing book, Dr. Paul A. Offit debunks fifteen common medical interventions that have long been considered gospel despite mounting evidence of their adverse effects, from vitamins, sunscreen, fever-reducing medicines, and eyedrops for pink eye to more serious procedures like heart stents and knee surgery. Analyzing how these practices came to be, the biology of what makes them so ineffective and harmful, and the medical culture that continues to promote them, Overkill informs patients to help them advocate for their health. By educating ourselves, we can ask better questions about some of the drugs and surgeries that are all too readily available—and all too heavily promoted.

I am giving Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul A. Offit M.D. a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz

I'm always on the look out to be a better, healthier version of myself from improving my sleep, exercising more, stressing less, eating better and healing/stabilizing my complex regional pain syndrome (crps). With that in mind, I chose to read the paperback edition of The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz as I wanted to explore what this book had to offer in terms of improving my diet and overall health based on this book's summary. 

In all honesty, I sometimes find it difficult in deciding whether to review health and diet related books I read here on my book blog. I'm not a doctor, registered dietitian, nutritionist, or other qualified health professional, which is part of my hang up/lack of desire in reviewing books online that pertain to health and diet. I'm a book reader and book reviewer, so of course, I want to review what I read and post book reviews here on my blog. So, my review of The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz is just that a book review, not an endorsement or recommendation to try a certain diet. I leave health and diet recommendations up to the medical professionals to do. This has me wondering though, do other bloggers hesitate reviewing heath and diet related books on their blogs?

So, onward with my book review! Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about the content of The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz... or if this particular diet would be a good fit for me to try. 

Below are a few of the pros and cons for me regarding The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz.

Pros For Me:

* Well organized book divided into 7 major sections with several chapters covering pertinent information the authors wanted readers to know about The Body Ecology Diet within each of the major sections.
* Short, bite sized chunks of information to absorb and understand within each chapter with bold headings that make it easier to refer back to a particular section within a chapter when needed.
* Recipes in the back of the book to help one start eating meals that are Body Ecology Diet approved.

Cons For Me:

* The Body Ecology Diet seems fairly restrictive.
* There seems to be a lot of rules/things to remember in following the Body Ecology Diet. Maybe over time one would easily master the diet, but it seems like a lot to learn in the beginning.
* I'm not onboard with some of ideas needed to follow the Body Ecology Diet.
* The author heavily promotes a lot of her own products to use/consume during the Body Ecology Diet. These products may be excellent products and convenient to purchase, but the author plugging her own products felt like a lot of self promotion to me and another way to make money.
* This book was originally published in the mid-1990s and revised in 2011. So the content/writing felt a bit dated.

Below is a summary for The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz from Amazon:

If you’re experiencing discomfort, fatigue, or other symptoms that won’t go away no matter what you do or how many doctors you see, chances are you’re one of the millions unknowingly suffering from a systemic fungal/yeast infection, "the hidden invader." The result of an imbalance starting in your internal ecosystem, this can be a key factor in headaches, joint and muscle pain, depression, cancer, food allergies, digestive problems, autism, and other immune-related disorders. The Body Ecology Diet reveals how to restore and maintain the "inner ecology" your body needs to function properly, and eliminate or control the symptoms that rob you of the joy of living. Tens of thousands of people have already benefited from the Body Ecology way of life—Donna Gates shows you, step-by-step, how to eat your way to better health and well-being . . . deliciously, easily, and inexpensively! In this book, you will learn how to: use seven basic universal principles as tools to gain mastery over every health challenge you may encounter; focus on your inner ecology to create ideal digestive balance; conquer cravings with strategies for satisfying snacking and for dining away from home; and plan meals with dozens of delectable recipes, an array of menus, and detailed shopping lists.

I am not giving The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz a rating like I normally would for other books I've read in the past.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Positive Options for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Self-Help and Treatment by Elena Juris

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a topic near and dear to my heart, but a difficult topic for me to discuss with those outside of very close family members and friends.

10 years ago, I went in for a routine blood draw and during my drive home afterward, I began feeling a plethora of disturbing symptoms: numbness, tingling, swelling, and pain at the blood draw site that radiated/spread into my forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers. 

The symptoms steadily grew worse on my drive home to the point that I could no longer close my hand and make a fist shortly after arriving home. My fingers looked like fat, red sausages and my hand and wrist were swollen beyond belief. 

New symptoms kept appearing: sweaty palm, intense burning sensations, waxy/shiny skin that made my fingers, hand, wrist, and forearm look like they belonged on a mannequin, and several other forms of pain. I was in constant pain 24/7 and in a lot of distress over what was going on.

After seeing my primary care physician, having an ultrasound, a MRI, and seeing 2 to 3 different specialists, I was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) 2 to 3 months after the blood draw that caused it. 

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is not curable, but can go into remission. There is loads of information about it online and not all of the information is positive.

Long story short, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) has been a difficult journey with various highs and lows. I've recently had a pretty bad flare up (which is still ongoing) beginning in early August 2019 that has kept me from doing much blogging and other basic daily activities without some assistance. I've given up on knitting and several other activities for the time being as well. 

So if you don't see me posting much on my blog or responding to comments you leave for me... or don't find me commenting on your blog posts... please don't take it personally. I'm currently on a healing journey.

I've recently read Positive Options for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Self-Help and Treatment by Elena Juris and have come away with a renewed outlook regarding CRPS. I am armed with new information and look forward to trying some new protocols. Onward I MUST go!!

Here's a summary for Positive Options for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Self-Help and Treatment by Elena Juris from Amazon:

Imagine if the mere breeze of an air conditioner on your skin were to cause excruciating pain. For those suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), previously called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), this crippling neuropathic pain poses an unrelenting reality. With symptoms such as swelling, hypersensitivity, stiffness, burning pain, and temperature abnormalities, CRPS can develop at any time and quickly leaves its victims disabled and isolated.

This book explains CRPS in an accessible style for all readers, providing the latest medical treatments, complementary therapies, and holistic coping strategies for maximizing the potential for healing. Readers will find a wealth of tips on life modifications to help better manage their condition. They'll find two interviews with practitioners who offer insights every patient should know, with the help of pain specialist Edward Carden, MD, and occupational therapist and neurological acupuncturist Sheri Barnes. They'll find a discussion of complementary therapies to tailor to their needs. They'll find a list of "dynamite distractions" that can refresh the pain-wracked mind and help readers rediscover their imagination and humor, when they just need to take their mind off the illness. They'll draw hope from real patient testimonies on techniques for transforming the pain and discomfort of CRPS. They'll find a chapter addressed to loved ones, providing advice and support in their difficult roles as encouragers and caregivers. Finally, readers will find information on how everyone can help to increase CRPS awareness, and an extensive list of resources to help patients and caregivers begin to connect with the support available.

CRPS remains a mysterious, poorly understood condition and few books about it exist, as knowledge of the syndrome continues to evolve. Previously, the condition was called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). This second, retitled edition to the original Positive Options for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD): Self-help and Treatment (2004) is chock-full of new information, reflecting a decade's worth of advancements following the popular debut of the book's first edition.

I am giving Positive Options for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Self-Help and Treatment by Elena Juris 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!