This book has great information for understanding changes during perimenopause. It covers the wide range of symptoms women go through very well, and the information is scientifically based. It is a great balance of sound nutritional information, not too far on the holistic side, but full of natural solutions to various symptoms--great nutritional information! It is the best perimenopause book I have read. I definitely recommend it, and I have heard Pam Smith speak in person, and I agree with her advice.

I first heard the author speak on a radio program and was pleased to find the book was as interesting as her talk. Most of us women know what symptoms to expect when we reach menopause but we do not know why they happen. The author's explanations are easy enough for any lay person to understand because they are not written in medical terminology. Our library patrons agree this is a MUST READ for any woman, even if she is not near the age of menopause. You will better understand the way your body has been created as well as learn ways to help make this transition in your life as easy as possible.

I sympathize with another reviewer who was not expecting a Christian book when she bought this. I was unsure about it myself. But it turned out to be so medically excellent that I'd hate for readers to reject it on that account alone.

The amount of space devoted to spiritual advice is very small. Most chapters deal with their subject alone ("Phytoestrogens," "Soothing the angry gut," "Skin Hair and Bones," "Menstrual Migraines" etc.). Even the chapter on Stress mentions God only briefly at the end, and its info on the relationship between stress hormones and female hormones was enlightening. Part 5, "The Power for Change," talks a bit more about God, but even there, the emotional emphasis is on embracing change and connecting with others. Christianity is only part of a chapter that, in turn, is only 9 pages anyway. References to the helpfulness of prayer are sprinkled throughout the book, but sparsely, and many of those reference the Hebrew Bible.

I completely support any readers who want no Christian slant in such a book. This one just isn't for you. But many non-Christian readers might not mind Smith's light touch. She believes that a spiritual center can be immensely beneficial during stress and change, and there's a lot to be said in favor of that. Though Smith might be horrified by my saying this, a reader can easily substitute her personal spirituality, Buddhism, the Tao, anything, for Smith's.

Smith is NO lightweight when it comes to medicine and nutrition. She never talks down to the reader or oversimplifies. I thought I was already pretty knowledgeable, but was surprised by how much biology and physiology I learned. It's very up-to-date as of my writing this review, and covers HRT studies that have recently made the news. Boxes in the margins organize and emphasize important points and information.

Coverage of nutrition is thorough and intelligent, not only about what to eat, but also the importance of timing. There's a nice recipe section for those who like to cook, and terrific general food advice that lets those of us with a cooking-aversion put together a good simple eating plan for balancing blood sugar, energy, mood, and weight.

The only weak point, to me, was the insomnia chapter. It was the standard advice about making the bedroom dark and cool enough, not using it for work or other stress activities, winding down, avoiding spicy foods, etc. etc. Heard it all before! Then again, I'm not finding any better advice anywhere else, and these are sound principles, just a bit wimpy in coping with a perimenopause insomnia. Smith's blood-sugar balancing diet can help these nighttime problems.

Great book for Christian women, still great for non-Christians who buy it knowingly, and can take the many benefits it offers, cafeteria-style!

I sympathize with another reviewer who was not expecting a Christian book when she bought this. I was unsure about it myself. But it turned out to be so medically excellent that I'd hate for readers to reject it on that account alone.

The amount of space devoted to spiritual advice is very small. Most chapters deal with their subject alone ("Phytoestrogens," "Soothing the angry gut," "Skin Hair and Bones," "Menstrual Migraines" etc.). Even the chapter on Stress mentions God only briefly at the end, and its info on the relationship between stress hormones and female hormones was enlightening. Part 5, "The Power for Change," talks a bit more about God, but even there, the emotional emphasis is on embracing change and connecting with others. Christianity is only part of a chapter that, in turn, is only 9 pages anyway. References to the helpfulness of prayer are sprinkled throughout the book, but sparsely, and many of those reference the Hebrew Bible.

I completely support any readers who want no Christian slant in such a book. This one just isn't for you. But many non-Christian readers might not mind Smith's light touch. She believes that a spiritual center can be immensely beneficial during stress and change, and there's a lot to be said in favor of that. Though Smith might be horrified by my saying this, a reader can easily substitute her personal spirituality, Buddhism, the Tao, anything, for Smith's.

Smith is NO lightweight when it comes to medicine and nutrition. She never talks down to the reader or oversimplifies. I thought I was already pretty knowledgeable, but was surprised by how much biology and physiology I learned. It's very up-to-date as of my writing this review, and covers HRT studies that have recently made the news. Boxes in the margins organize and emphasize important points and information.

Coverage of nutrition is thorough and intelligent, not only about what to eat, but also the importance of timing. There's a nice recipe section for those who like to cook, and terrific general food advice that lets those of us with a cooking-aversion put together a good simple eating plan for balancing blood sugar, energy, mood, and weight.

The only weak point, to me, was the insomnia chapter. It was the standard advice about making the bedroom dark and cool enough, not using it for work or other stress activities, winding down, avoiding spicy foods, etc. etc. Heard it all before! Then again, I'm not finding any better advice anywhere else, and these are sound principles, just a bit wimpy in coping with a perimenopause insomnia. Smith's blood-sugar balancing diet can help these nighttime problems.

Great book for Christian women, still great for non-Christians who buy it knowingly, and can take the many benefits it offers, cafeteria-style!

This was an excellent book except for one glaring exception and that is the author sprinkled verses of scripture throughout the book. I found her bible thumbing quite jarring and inappropriate and I plan to return the book despite its rich content. Perhaps Mrs. Smith should have warned her readers by properly titling the book something like "When Your Christian Hormones Go Haywire" or "Solutions for Christian Women over 40".

Awesome book. Really helped put things in perspective. The diet changes are helping greatly! Highly recommend this book to anyone in this phase of their life.

This is a FANTASTIC book. I have looked for almost 10 years for answers as to why I developed migraine headaches. I asked my family doctor, gyn, neurologist. None came with any answers. I just knew there was an answer (and maybe a simple one!) out there to help. Well-here it is. This book explains the whole hormone "mystery." It explains IT ALL and WHAT TO DO! and simply. She also is a Christian. (yipee!) You will be so happy to have found this helpful, enlightening, info.