The first sentence of the first chapter is my favorite line in this book. “Menopause is not a disease.” With those words the author had my attention. This book on woman’s health was possibly one that would treat the effects of menopause as the natural occurrence that they are instead of illness. I had a feeling that I would like the book.

The author, Dr. J. Ron Eaker, uses a three-pronged approach in dealing with the effects of menopause and perimenopause. This approach includes medical, spiritual, and natural treatments to customize remedies the uncomfortable effects of menopause. Dr. Eaker explains the effects of the cessation of menos and gives the reader an understanding of what’s going on in a woman’s body during the years commonly called mid-life.

Careful study makes making choices in treatment easier. I didn’t know there were so many treatment options or so much to think about in making the choice of hormone therapy.

There is information on:
• Prescription oral estrogens - both synthetics and bio-identical.
• Delivery methods, such as
  • The patch
  • Implants
  • Injections
  • Creams and gels
• Progesterone, both prescription and non-prescription varieties.

The book also includes a discussion of the breast cancer risk.

I was very interested in the discussion of complementary approaches. Phytoestrogens are a category of foods containing plant based estrogens, that have a positive effect on menopause symptoms.

Dr. Eaker discusses many maladies that are attributed to the effects of menopause such as hot flashes, urinary incontinence, insomnia, joint and body aches, osteoporosis, and lagging libido. He treats each problem on an individual basis and gives treatment options for each.

The information in this book is so complete that a woman should be able to take part in making informed decisions on whether or not to use hormone replacement therapy and which of the many kinds is best for her individual needs.

Dr. Eaker strays away from the topic of hormone health in an extensive chapter on the healing power of prayer. This chapter is more about prayer as a whole than it is about dealing with menopause or hormonal issues. While it is true and very interesting, I found it a bit distracting.

“A Woman’s Guide To Hormone Health” is a valuable tool for understanding and managing the years prior to and during menopause. I found it difficult to follow in places but it was very useful in looking up specific symptoms.

J. Ron Eaker, MD, is the author of “Fat-Proof Your Family.” He is an obstetrician and gynecologist with 20 years’ experience and is listed in “America’s Best Doctors.” He has appeared on “Life Today With James Robison,” Moody Radio and “Janet Parshall’s America.”

at Amazon.com