10 Best Books to Read About Menopause

Written by a board-certified ob/gyn and integrative physician, this book explores 50 common symptoms across perimenopause, early menopause and late menopause. Felice Gersh, M.D.,explains what’s happening in your body and how to best prevent, treat or cope with the symptoms. The book aims to be inclusive for all women, regardless of age, lifestyle and other factors that make each menopause experience individualized.

You may already be a fan of Dr. Jen Gunter on social media or from her podcast, “Body Stuff.” Following in the footsteps of her previous bestseller, The Vagina Bible, The Menopause Manifesto seeks to destigmatize and demystify menopause both for women and their physicians. Armed with equal amounts of science and sass, Dr. Gunter writes about menopause unapologetically — as a natural phase in women’s lives that should be free from shame and silence.

Also from Dr. Streicher, this new book focuses on what you can do to turn down the heat on hot flashes, which affect around 80% of women going through menopause, and can impact everything from your sleep and mood to your risk of heart disease.

Nonbinary queer author Heather Corinna invites readers to join them on their own perimenopausal ride. A sexual-health advocate and educator, Corinna addresses misdiagnosis and dismissal by the medical community — a far too common experience for many when it comes to this stage of life.

Vaginal dryness, recurrent UTIs and painful sex are some of the more unwelcome and unpleasant side effects of menopause. Lauren Streicher, M.D., a gynecologist and professor at Northwestern University Medical School, walks readers through common vaginal, vulvar and urinary symptoms, and breaks down the vast (and sometimes overwhelming) array of treatments for them, from HT and DHEA to laser therapy and lubricants.

Despite what pop culture may lead us to believe, hotness doesn’t dissipate after our 20s (and not just because of those night sweats). Even though every woman will experience and navigate menopause differently, it can be comforting and uplifting to read other people’s stories, like these diverse true tales in this collection.

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) praised this book as a “a delightful and educational read for women seeking solutions for menopause and sexuality....” Dr. Ghizzani challenges the old-fashioned notion that menopause is code for old age — or that sexual intimacy has to be a thing of the past. Both informative and practical, the book seeks to help women maneuver through the physical, emotional, social, and relationship changes that menopause may bring.

Darcey Steinke writes that menopause “is as much a spiritual challenge as it is a physical one.” A meditation on the negative stigma around menopause and women as they’re experiencing it, the book seeks to challenge ageist, sexist ideas that women become less desirable, valuable or relevant once they reach a certain age.

While many books on the subject look at menopause through a medical lens, The Slow Moon Climbs takes a historical — and wholly positive — approach, positioning it not as a period to fear or dread but as an essential rite of passage to embrace. Historian Susan Mattern takes readers on a trip around the world and through time to spotlight how other cultures have viewed women’s post-childbearing years throughout history.

Grab your colored pencils and a favorite beverage, and settle into a comfy spot for a bit of lighthearted fun. This witty, irreverent adult coloring book offers a creative diversion, brain break and a good laugh.