In my experience with OB/GYN doctors and nurse practitioners, there are few who have a fucking clue about perimenopause. Even women, who have experienced it themselves. WHY?
Thank dog a few, like Corio (who doesn't accept insurance in her practice SIGH), acknowledge and treat perimenopause and menopause symptoms. She stresses lifestyle changes, but is ready to prescribe hormones and recommend herbs.
The book, written in 2000, is dated in its "woman" language, and can also read as almighty and condescending, but I have issues with medical authority, so maybe that's just me.
I'm noting and quoting passages, possibly just for my own reference:
- 10% of women are having regular menstrual cycles by age 50. I'm one of those 10%. Lucky me!
- Leg cramps at night can signal declining estrogen. That's bad because less estrogen leads to less calcium absorbtion and osteoporosis. Take calcium and magnesium. Pay attention to calcium carbonate. Tums work.
- Nuts for heart attack prevention. Unsalted peanuts.
- Garlic decreases cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of clots.
- Omega-3 fatty acids (fish or flaxseed) relieve PMS symptoms, decrease cholesterol, decrease risk of breast cancer and more. Should I start eating fish? Could I even?
I skipped chapters, like the one on fertility, and skimmed others, pretty much everything not directly related to perimenopause, so it was a quick read. Recommended, if only to have some non-internet data to share with your doctor who doesn't believe you and doesn't want you to do any of your own research because dog forbid anyone who hasn't been to medical school questions their absolute authority.