| For many years, when women hit pre-menopause or | | | | the treatment possibilities are part of all god |
| perimenopause, doctors would either diagnose their | | | | menopause books." |
| symptoms as something else (usually when the | | | | Current menopause books usually promote holistic |
| irregular periods have not yet begun) or recommend | | | | treatments, many of which are stemmed in alternative |
| pharmaceutical therapy such as hormone replacement | | | | or naturopathic medicine. In the realm of alternative |
| therapy (HRT) or low dose birth control pills. Both of | | | | medicine, acupuncture and hydrotherapy have been |
| these treatments have been known to help some | | | | known to relieve muscle pains and headaches. |
| symptoms, though they do have side effects which | | | | Sometimes, other symptoms like irritability and irregular |
| apart from being undesirable may have long term | | | | periods seem to respond to acupuncture, but the |
| repercussions. | | | | cases are so few that it is hard to say for certain. |
| As a result of the inadequacy of HRT and low dose | | | | Some naturopathic treatments, on the other hand, |
| pills for some women (the therapies do work well for | | | | focus on lifestyle change, which include a regular |
| others), doctors and women have sought to find other | | | | exercise regimen, which promotes healthier hormone |
| methods of dealing with the symptoms of | | | | secretion, a healthier body, and can alleviate the |
| perimenopause. The result of these endeavors have | | | | symptoms depression, insomnia, and palpitations. |
| led to the production of several menopause books. | | | | Lifestyle change treatment also involves a change in |
| Many of these menopause books seek to help | | | | diet, boosting the consumption of healthy fruits and |
| women cope and alleviate their symptoms through | | | | vegetables, whole grains, and healthy sources of |
| natural methods or alternative treatments. | | | | protein, such as fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. At the |
| Good menopause books should cover all aspects of | | | | same time, a reduction of alcohol, caffeine, and sugary |
| perimenopause. It should give women an understanding | | | | foods should be done. This change in diet can reduce |
| of what exactly is happening in their body, and what | | | | hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, and bloating. |
| specific imbalance leads to a specific symptom. For | | | | No matter what treatments are recommended, |
| example, a lack of estrogen may lead to irregular | | | | menopause books should discuss these alternative |
| periods, but sudden spikes in estrogen may lead to hot | | | | treatments and more! The more specific it can be, the |
| flashes or night sweats. "When women know exactly | | | | better, because this gives a woman issues or |
| what is happening in their bodies, they are in a position | | | | questions that can be discussed with her doctor in |
| to make better decisions for what treatments may | | | | order to gain better understanding of her body. |
| work well for them." says Pam Andrews, author of | | | | Finally, menopause books should discuss a few |
| 'Perimenopause: Have it, Live it, Love it.' | | | | specific cases of perimenopause, building the |
| Following this understanding of the internal changes of | | | | understanding that each woman is different, and |
| perimenopause, several treatments, INCLUDING HRT | | | | different treatments will work in varying degrees for |
| should be discussed with women. Pam Andrews | | | | different women. Perimenopause is a unique time in |
| continues on to say that "it is always better when | | | | every woman's life, and though many women have |
| women know all of their options. Though HRT is not | | | | similarities, each woman's journey is always different. |
| always the recommended option, having it as part of | | | | |