Is it Me or is it Hot in Here?: A Modern Woman's Guide to the Menopause Book

The word 'metamorphosis' is described in the Oxford Concise Dictionary as meaning: a change of form, (by natural or supernatural means) a change of character, conditions etc. How perfectly this word describes the state of a woman beginning -- or going through -- the trauma of the menopause! Is it me or is it hot in here? by Jenni Murray, should be compulsory reading. Not just for women needing help and advice on the complexities of the menopause, but also for men trying to understand why women are so complex at this time. Marcelle Smith, a Magazine Editor, once observed: " Women are like eggs, they hatch in their forties." Jenni Murray feels that her book is about, "a search for a better understanding of what is happening to us physically, what we can do about it and how we learn to make informed decisions about the best way to act as regards the medical profession, friends, children and partners." Primarily though, she hopes that through sharing our experiences of what we suffer or not, as the case may be, we find some comfort in the fact that we are not alone, that there are various strategies for making ourselves feel better and that these feelings will not go on for ever. Jenni's book covers everything in some depth including: what is the menopause? the pros and cons of HRT, alternatives to HRT, diet and exercise, "old age aint for cissies" some further reading and ends with some useful addresses. It is a marvellous book and very helpful. On a more personal level, my only complaint is that this book wasn't written earlier. Such a lot of pain and heartache could have been avoided and more questions answered. Oh well, better late than never I suppose!--Lynne Unwin. Read More