Solid 4.5 stars.

Given that HALF of our aging population experiences an often lengthy perimenopause nearing her midlife, and then undergoes menopause, the dearth of scientific information and medical assistance is actually appalling. (Spell check doesn't even recognize the word perimenopause, which should tell us all we need to know about how well it is understood!!) This makes this book absolutely invaluable.

The author is a medical doctor, long-time specialist and researcher in the field of menopause. This book - the culmination of her life's work thusfar, is a true gift to all those of us who are are trying to navigate these waters - often alone. On the internet, it is so easy to read misinformation or emotional/fear-based personal accounts. Given that each of us with a uterus will experience a somewhat unique and unpredictable form of perimenopause, this book gives us solid, factual, explanations (as far as are possible given the dearth of science in this field), and thankfully, various possible remedies.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK:
* That it exists - full stop!
* Perimenopause and menopause (the day one reaches 12 full months without bleeding), are explained in everyday English. The author explains the limitations with current medical understanding, her lengthy experience treating all different manner of folks undergoing perimenopause, how she has divided up patients into different groups that frame different types of menopause possible, how previous erroneous studies have been over-turned and everything in between.
* That the author provides both pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical and lifestyle-change remedies for not only each of the menopausal types that she has identified, but ALSO for each symptom that someone with a utuerus might experience during their lengthy experience of perimenopause. The book is divided up into the beginning that explains the science, the bulk of the book explaining the each of menopausal types and a plethora of remedies, and then a section at the end that gives possible remedies for each symptom of perimenopause.
* I love that this book is quite inclusive. The author gives different remedies for those that have a history of, or are currently suffering from, cancer. She explains the counterindications between certain cancer treatments and pharmaceutical remedies for perimenopause. She also discusses different supplements, diet and lifestyle changes and other non pharmaceutical remedies that may help alleviate certain symptoms of perimenopause. This book fully acknowledges the potentially overwhelming aspects of perimenpause and how an already full plate, work, family responsibilities and symptoms brought on by decreasing estrogen may impact mental health. The author also acknowledges that not all those who undergo perimenopause identify as women. She has done a really great job in holding space for those who will face these changes in their lifetimes.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK:
* An ongoing pet-peeve of mine is that American authors seem absolutely blind to the fact that there exists anywhere outside of the US. This author at least acknowledges that certain remedies or research in Europe of Scandinavia is relevant, but the book is still geared 100% towards an American reader. To my mind, with certain tweaks, this book could have easily read as inclusive and welcoming to all those undergoing perimenopause, while still maintaining that the author is American and thus most familiar with American standards of practice. Normally I dock a full star for this, but this book is too important.

All-in-all, *Unlock Your Menopause Type* is an absolute GIFT to those of us undergoing perimenopause now. Given the general lack of medical practitioners who have zero clue what to do with our symptoms, and a complete lack of essential research on the topic, the experiences of this menopause specialist are essential to our well-being (and may even help guide our primary medical providers). I, for one, will be purchasing a hard copy of this book to refer back to each time I need, and then to pass on to friends who are slightly younger than me.

The audiobook is read by the author. I would have preferred that the narration would have been done by someone trained to do so professionally, as it was a bit painful to listen to .... but still makes the book more accessible than not having an audiobook at all.

Huge gratitude to NetGalley, and the publisher for providing me with both an ARC and an Audio ARC copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

Really glad this book is out there and the conversations too - I am pissed at how unprepared I was for perimenopause and how much just is not known about it or discussed. It all feels very up in the air.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

This book was a demystifying and comprehensive look at perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
Dr. Hirsch did a fantastic job of describing symptoms to look out for, recommended treatments and supplements, timelines, and how to prepare for these stages in life.
She expertly combined current science and anecdotes, along with a strong dose of empathy to create a guide that should be read by any woman who wants to get past fear and anxiety, and make a plan for a healthy future.

Menopause is something women don't talk about. It's a mystery for most women, and when it happens it can be an unpleasant adventure. UNLOCK YOUR MENOPAUSE TYPE is for women "going through the change ". The book explains the signs, stages, and symptoms of menopause. More importantly it explains the different ways women experience it. I feel this would be a very helpful resource for women age 30+.

This was an interesting read. I ultimately fell between types, but gained a lot of useful information on medication, supplements, and dietary changes that could be useful. The testimonials were useful and interesting to read.

Let’s talk about Menopause🤓

I’m not in Menopause yet(I know- it’s surprising at my age) -but I have struggled with Peri-menopause symptoms for several years now.

I’m so glad that we are finally bringing these discussions to the table and taking away the stigma of talking about this change that will occur in EVERY woman!!

This book is helping me prepare. I will actually be having surgery soon, so I am able to refer to the section in this book titled, “The Sudden Menopause Type.” It gives information and strategies for managing symptoms and changes. There are 5 other types of menopause- Premature, Full-Throttle,Mind-Altering, Seemingly Never-Ending and Silent. This book walks through each different type to help the reader determine which one they are mostly aligned with.

The purpose of this book is to offer information, advice, suggestions for managing symptoms and give the reader a picture of what they can expect.

My frustration with each phase of menopause has been not being prepared for the way my body feels like it is suddenly rebelling against me. It started with anger for me. All of a sudden I was mad about everything. I was mad at everyone and every situation. We joke now that I was mean Val (and I definitely was!). But that’s not who I am normally so I talked with my gynecologist and discovered that anger is a common symptom of peri-menopause. I was able to get on anxiety medicine which helped raise my serotonin and me greatly. There are others who can handle their symptoms naturally- but for me, the medicine was a game-changer. There have been other bumps along this journey. (Iron loss and weight gain included).

I’m thankful for the resources out there now, like this book, to help me navigate this next stage in life. I enjoyed my youth, my growing my family days and now I’m ready for this one. Thank you to @ NetGalley @stmartinspress for the ARC of this book to read and review.

Pub date 6-6-23. Grab your copy now.

This approachable book should be required reading for anyone trying to understand the science behind what happens to women’s bodies during menopause. I had countless “Aha!” moments learning the impact of reduced estrogen on almost everything - not just your mood, weight, and hair, but also your bones, joints, and susceptibility to higher blood pressure and cholesterol.

The audiobook is an easy listen. Dr. Hirsch narrates it herself, and her cheerful intelligence and experience are loud and clear. I switched to the e-book because I learn and retain better that way. However, if you enjoy non-fiction via audiobooks, I can recommend it.

While I wasn’t able to narrow in on my specific “Type,” detailed information about every symptom and possible treatment (from hormonal and non-hormonal meds and lifestyle adjustments) definitely helped me “cut through the informational noise” to take charge of managing my symptoms.

This is a well-researched and credible resource! (The last 40% of the book is definitions and references.) Stop trying to piece together information via random “experts” online and read this. I want to press the book into the hands of every woman I know.

Thanks, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC and DRC.

This book was extremely informative and provided medical information in a manner that was easy to understand. It is a must-read for any woman, whether pre-menopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal.

This book is just what you need to make sense of your menopausal body. It’s packed with accessible information, case scenarios, and lists of possible treatments (covering hormone therapy, supplements, exercise, and breathing techniques, and more). After reading this you’ll feel more accepting of your body as it changes, inspired to make some changes, and prepared to discuss options with your doctor. You’ll probably also wish the author was your doctor.

💕You might like this book if:
🔹 you want a trust-worthy go-to book about menopause
🔹 you like to understand the medical reasons behind symptoms
🔹 you’ve been wondering if some of the myths you’ve heard about menopause and possible remedies are true

This book is what every woman needs to help her navigate the craziness of menopause. The information is easy to follow and laid out in a way that you can find what you want.

The first part of the book breaks down the many symptoms, how there's no one size fits all, and some myths and misconceptions. The final chapter is a quiz to help you figure out what menopause type (or hybrid) to help you thrive.
The second part discusses the different menopause type and breaks them down with things that will help.
Full disclosure - in this part of the book I really only focused on my menopause type and breezed through the others. Before writing this review I put several of the recommendations into practice and have to say they were very helpful and really helped me. In every menopause type you can find what will help in an easy to follow layout under Lifestyle Interventions.

Unlock Your Menopause Type was a lifesaver for me. I felt that FINALLY someone was listening and gave me useful information to help.

I just read a different book about menopause and both books are conflicting with information. I’m not sure who I believe now. This book is clear with lowering calories changing diet and increasing exercise will help weight loss and the other book said the exact opposite. This is pretty much like what my doctor told me. It hasn’t worked for weight loss.

Dr. Heather Hirsch provides a reliable resource for navigating menopause in her book Unlock your Menopause Type. She guides the reader through the various types of menopause and provides direction for how to manage the symptoms. After reading this book, I felt more confident in my ability to address my menopause type.

This is a must-have resource for all women! It is full of great strategies, advice, and easy to implement ideas. This is one I'll return to again and again. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Interesting take on how to get through the menopause stage by how your body responds to lifestyle choices. Would recommend to other women struggling to make sense what is going on!

Quick Summary: An educational resource for women

My Review: Unlock Your Menopause Type: A Personalized Guide to Managing Your Menopausal Symptoms and Enhancing Your Health by Dr. Heather Hirsch with Stacey Colino was an aha resource for women. It was informative, humorous, and spot on, regarding its revelations about peri, meno, and post menopausal scenarios.

Although the content in this book is not foreign to the woman who is experiencing the tumultuous cycles of menopause, it served as an enlightening validation and a steadying guide. It offered numerous suggestions related to resources, lifestyle recommendations, pharmacological and natural remedies, and wellness plans. Additionally, it provided details on countless associated references in the bibliography and notes sections.

My Final Say: As a reader who is very familiar with this subject matter, I found this book to be both educational and entertaining. I was, indeed, able to recognize my menopause type, although in truth, I have been unlocking it for a while now. This book should prove to be and will very likely be a good go-to aid for those seeking answers...no matter what part of the menopause journey they are on.

Other: More books about the topic of menopause should be made available to women and to their families, particularly their partners. Menopause, essentially, is something that not only affects the one enduring it, but it also affects those who are surviving beyond the woman who is impacted by it and those who serve as a support system to her.

Lastly, I wish I could say that all medical professionals know how to properly care for and intervene with women dealing with menopause types, but I cannot. Still, books like this one will do much to help women pinpoint their menopause type and enable them to begin advocating for a physician and/or care team that can individualize a care plan that works, that brings about peace of mind, and that nourishes the heart, mind, and body.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Women and their families, Medical professionals

Sincere appreciation is extended to the authors, the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own and were voluntarily submitted without any influence by the aforementioned parties.

* A Goodreads review has been posted.

There are a lot of books coming out about menopause now, and I applaud that. However, this one does not cover new ground and if anything seems to make the future seem more uncertain for readers just approaching this significant life change.

Every woman 30 and older needs to read Unlock Your Menopause by Heather Hirsch, MD, MS, NCMP. Or younger women, if you start perimenopause or menopause. Seriously! Moms, buy a copy for yourself and one for each of your adult daughters.

I had a total hysterectomy about a month ago, it was sudden, and I’ve been doing research since. After reading Unlock Your Menopause, I realized I’ve been in perimenopause for some time now, most likely due to the radiation for my cancer treatments. The symptoms that I attributed to my cancer, while may be the case, were also because of my body starting another life cycle. After reading the book, besides knowing I was in Sudden Menopause, I also realized I was in Mind Altering Menopause. I thought the radiation and cancer was causing my brain fog, but since starting hormone replacement, my symptoms are so much better… along with me being super hot when I sleep, not sleeping well, and my crying jags that seem to happen all the time.

Hirsch breaks down each of the six different types of menopause; Premature, Sudden, Full-Throttle, Mind Altering, Seemingly Never Ending, and Silent. She gives you different ways to help with them even if you don’t want to do hormone replacement, including looking at your diet, sleep, exercise, herbs, alternative therapies, and more.

There are so many good ideas that she’s picked up from her patients, as well as examples from her patients as to what they are experiencing, so there’s a good chance you’ll see yourself in some of the women. And it was nice to just know you’re not alone.
There are also lots of resources for you to explore, and the main symptoms are all broken down at the end so you can get a quick reference to what you can do to help… or if your symptoms change over the years.

I highly recommend you read all of the different types even if you think you know which type of menopause you are experiencing. There’s a good chance you will still pick up some information or find a condition or two in the other menopauses that may not be discussed in your particular one.

If you are a woman, you need this book. If you are in a book club, I highly suggest you read this one. If you give gifts, this would be a great book to give by itself or add it to a gift basket.

A well written book on menopause that is applicable for nearly every woman going through this season of life. I liked that the book acknowledged that there wasn't a one-size-fits-all approach, and instead offered support and guidance based on an individual's menopause features and symptoms. Nice reference book that will be a great addition to any public library.

I thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC of this book.

This title totally reminded me of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books that were popular during my childhood, and perimenopause is certainly an adventure. Growing up, my mother was not a forthcoming sort - I didn’t learn about sex, outside of my public high school’s (not exactly comprehensive or in-depth) phys ed, reproductive health, or anything. It probably makes sense therefore that this same woman never said a word about menopause. I knew about hot flashes and heavy periods from articles I’d read - that’s it. Everything else that I’ve gone through has been a serious (and often very un-fun) surprise.

I started this one, never having heard of menopause types - but hopeful about learning more of which type I might be, and after starting this one, well, I was stunned to see my own perimenopause symptoms written out as a ‘type’.

I found this a worthwhile read for that alone.


** There is a heavy reliance on suggestions of prescription medication, so if you prefer more holistic approaches to health care, this probably won’t be the answer to your concerns.



Thank you to St. Martin’s Essentials and NetGalley for the DRC!

A very descriptive and informative book on menopause. I like how it individualizes a plan for each type of body. It offers lots of great advice on how to manage symptoms. There is something for every woman here. A wonderful book on menopause... A must-read for every woman.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.