Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism

With a huge Twitter following and a successful Amazon Prime series, Jensplaining, which takes apart medical misinformation, it may seem strange that Dr. Jen Gunther has published such a scientifically researched and well-developed academic text, but that is exactly what The Menopause Manifesto is. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of humor, too, but the heart of the book is the science behind one of the most mystifying experiences of life for women.

As a 44-year-old woman, I found the book to be wildly helpful. The strange night sweats, hair loss, mood swings, etc. that I’ve associated with my aging body aren’t, in fact, proof of a gremlin living inside me but are instead natural occurrences as I get older. There were some moments when the science was a bit too much for me, but Gunther’s hilariously dry delivery made up for that.

Reading this book is like sitting down with a brilliant friend who has no time or interest in sugarcoating things. Yes, menopause happens, and yes, it can be awful, but it’s all normal, even the stuff that feels absolutely NOT normal. I referenced some of her points during a recent doctor’s visit and felt much more confident about my understanding of my own body after reading The Menopause Manifesto; I hope you will, too.