RECOMMENDED READING: “Is It Hot In here? Or is it Me?”

This is the catchy title of a re-published book that is “a comprehensive guide to Menopause.” Its 15 chapters covers every aspect of menopause in an easy-to-read, Q&A format. The authors, Pat Wingert Kelly & Barbara Kantrowitz, start with the basics (“What’s Happening”) and do a particularly good job explaining “the hormone question” and “hot flashes”. They also provide explanations about all the things that seem to change in mid-life, whether they’re caused by menopause or not including sleep (or lack of), sex, aches & pains, bleeding, moods & emotions, bones, and eyes & ears. It’s a good book to have around when you need advice or at least an explanation for what’s happening to you. It’s also one of two books that the Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggested in an article published this month on herbs and supplements for anxiety. (The other is  Hot Flashes, Hormones, and Your Health (Harvard Medical School Guides) (Harvard Medical School Guides) by JoAnne Manson, M.D. and Shari Bassuk, ScD.)