Menopause for laypersons | |
Essential guide to menopause. American Medical Association. New York: Pocket Books 1998 (xi + 253 pp.). ISBN: 0 671 01014 X. |
This small book is written for the layperson, specifically women and their families. It gives a holistic view of the menopause as a natural condition of life, rather than a disease or disorder. It examines the treatments that may help alleviate symptoms of oestrogen deficiency and prevent long-term diseases such as heart disease and osteoporosis associated with menopause. Most of the earlier chapters explore the use of hormone replacement therapy and its development. This includes discussion of the benefits and the risks, specifically in relation to breast and uterine cancer and thromboembolic disease. Although the American Medical Association offers clear, medically accurate information on treatment options, the references are to American women and not always relevant to or easily interpreted by other cultures or races. There are notable terminology differences, which can be confusing to the layperson. The chapters could have been better edited as there is frequent repetition. This guide would appeal to a range of women seeking health information, from those in the perimenopausal phase through to those in the postmenopausal phase of life. It is lucidly written and there is a positive approach to lifestyle recommendations for fitness, nutrition, stress management and sexual activity. Jane Hangan
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