The Silent Passage

SILENT indeed. Outdated a little bit now, but a pioneer in its day. Women seem to go into perimenopause in a sort of haze of denial. "It can't happen to me." I was 39 when I was diagnosed, and this year at 43 (ONLY) has been quite traumatic. I mean no one prepares you for this stuff. I think we fully expect to turn 50 and Bam! Menopause! and it's done with...not always but I hear it sometimes happens for some fortunate souls....(How the middle aged women of "Real Housewives" party the way they do and rebound, I will never know.)

But what I can feel--is that this is the time in a woman's life of total empowerment. Sheehy calls it Second Adulthood, a "hormonal rewiring". I agree. But I call it becoming a New Woman. However difficult the show more process may be for some of us, it's transformative--a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. And I love butterflies. show less

I found this book immensely helpful in deciding how I would manage my menopause. I have lent it to many friends when they reached the same stage in life. There are many books by gynaecologists and specialists in women's health, but the ones I've read are less about how you feel and more about the specifics of HRT or natural remedies - as these are rapidly changing other books date very quickly. Sheehy's book is as useful now as it was when it was written. Highly recommended reading for all women.

The best-selling author of Passages takes a probing look at menopause, discussing the disquieting approach the medical community takes to it and offering commentary by some of today's most notable post-menopausal women. 50,000 first printing. Tour.

Rated: C+
Interesting read for husbands with wives entering menopause

menopause