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Reviews
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Health and Fitness
Title: The Perfect Menopause
Author: Henry Hess, MD, PhD
Must Read!
Publisher: Westfall Publishing Group
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This is an important book for woman and men no matter what their age because there’s not only a lack of information about menopause, even among physicians and other health care providers, but also there has been an astounding amount of mis-information recently which could result in serious consequences for those who are mislead by it. Dr. Henry M. Hess is a gynecologist, chemist, natural therapist and menopause expert who has spent the past 25 years traveling the world learning and teaching about all aspects of menopause therapies as well as helping patients in their search for relief from menopause’s symptoms. (Apparently most medical schools and reputable OB/GYN residencies provide very little teaching and experience on menopause). I love the title and the tag line: “7 Steps to the best Time of Your Life.” This is a promise on which the doctor delivers, spectacularly.
The book itself should be an inspiration to other authors. Written with Tiffany Farrell, a medical writer specializing in women’s health, it is clear, concise, identifies and addresses reader concerns plus provides charts, questions, schedules and case studies that make the subject immediate and real. “Your menopause is not your mother’s menopause,” Dr. Hess writes, “or even your sisters. So much more is known today about all aspects of menopause than even just a few years ago…” My own wife went through menopause five years ago and I now feel I understand it in a way I wish I had back then. Some facts: “The average woman will spend one-third or more of her life in menopause,” “Before 1900, most women did not live long enough to experience menopause,” “Hot flashes and night sweats last for 4-5 years for most menopausal woman; for at least 10% of women, they will last for the rest of their lives” and, very significantly “The famous hormone study of 2002 showed that estrogen causes breast cancer, but recent analysis of this data and additional new studies, show that estrogen use may actually prevent breast cancer for many younger postmenopausal women in at least the first five years of use.”
There are three categories of therapies for menopause: natural therapies, medicinal therapies and hormone therapies. This book addresses the pros and cons of each type. It answers big questions, such as, “What are the differences between natural, synthetic and compound hormones?” and equally important smaller ones, like: “Is a patch a better means of delivery than taking estrogen orally?”-- it is. We also learn that “natural” does not necessarily mean safer. Permarin is advertised as a natural hormone because it comes from an animal source (pregnant mares’ urine) but that doesn’t mean it’s natural to humans. I really admire Dr. Hess’s honesty. About proper eating habits: “Most of us really don’t know the elements of a healthy diet, even though we think we do…and the medical profession’s new understanding (of nutrition) has not been effectively translated into practice.” And with regard to sex: “A stale emotional relationship and/or a stale sexual relationship is one of the most significant causes of female sexual dysfunction at any age!” Yes, there is an excellent section on male menopause too.
Like any map, there’s more than one way to reach a goal. Dr Hess presents all of the possibilities in this single, easy to understand book. It is exactly what we need to know.
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http://www.bookreview.com/$spindb.query.listreview2.booknew.17483
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to menopause, April 24, 2008
Dr. Hess' book "The Perfect Menopause" carries an intriguing subtitle - "7 Steps to the Best Time of Your Life." Speaking to women around me, I have to admit I've never heard the words `menopause,' `perfect' and `best time' mentioned together, in one sentence. Needless to say, I was curious and more than just a little skeptical...
Dr. Hess approaches the subject of menopause with a holistic and very much no-nonsense approach. It became immediately obvious to me that he has done extremely extensive research and that he evidently keeps informed about the current research and the numerous updates in the field of menopause management and treatments. While clearly expert, his writing never becomes too technical for an average reader and he never sounds condescending, which is something I've noticed in certain other books from the medical field. Dr. Hess sounds like somebody one would love to meet and have for a healthcare provider.
While guiding women through the sometimes very confusing data on menopause, possible treatments, treatment goals, symptoms management and general improvement in all of the related areas, Dr. Hess shows extreme respect for other people working in the field of menopause research and treatment, whether they are medical experts or simply women who have experienced it and decided to share their insight with others. While cautioning the reader to be diligent when deciding for certain treatments, Dr. Hess does not discount simple remedies, herbs, exercise and other, possibly less traditional ways of managing one's symptoms. He also clarifies the immensely confusing issue of hormonal treatments, clarifies the results of past studies and offers the readers a comprehensive overview of hormonal treatment options.
I have no doubt that "The Perfect Menopause" should be present on the bookshelves of women in any stage of menopause, whether we are just entering it or are well in the midst of it. It should prove to be invaluable in gathering information as well as facilitating the future discussions with your health provider. Written in a clear and very upbeat voice, this is a great companion on the voyage through a certain unavoidable life stage. And with it, the journey should be considerably more pleasant.
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The Perfect Menopause is a must read book!, May 2, 2008
This is an important book for woman and men no matter what their age because there's not only a lack of information about menopause, even among physicians and other health care providers, but also there has been an astounding amount of mis-information recently which could result in serious consequences for those who are mislead by it. Dr. Henry M. Hess is a gynecologist, chemist, natural therapist and menopause expert who has spent the past 25 years traveling the world learning and teaching about all aspects of menopause therapies as well as helping patients in their search for relief from menopause's symptoms. (Apparently most medical schools and reputable OB/GYN residencies provide very little teaching and experience on menopause). I love the title and the tag line: "7 Steps to the best Time of Your Life." This is a promise on which the doctor delivers, spectacularly.
The book itself should be an inspiration to other authors. Written with Tiffany Farrell, a medical writer specializing in women's health, it is clear, concise, identifies and addresses reader concerns plus provides charts, questions, schedules and case studies that make the subject immediate and real. "Your menopause is not your mother's menopause," Dr. Hess writes, "or even your sisters. So much more is known today about all aspects of menopause than even just a few years ago..." My own wife went through menopause five years ago and I now feel I understand it in a way I wish I had back then. Some facts: "The average woman will spend one-third or more of her life in menopause," "Before 1900, most women did not live long enough to experience menopause," "Hot flashes and night sweats last for 4-5 years for most menopausal woman; for at least 10% of women, they will last for the rest of their lives" and, very significantly "The famous hormone study of 2002 showed that estrogen causes breast cancer, but recent analysis of this data and additional new studies, show that estrogen use may actually prevent breast cancer for many younger postmenopausal women in at least the first five years of use."
There are three categories of therapies for menopause: natural therapies, medicinal therapies and hormone therapies. This book addresses the pros and cons of each type. It answers big questions, such as, "What are the differences between natural, synthetic and compound hormones?" and equally important smaller ones, like: "Is a patch a better means of delivery than taking estrogen orally?"-- it is. We also learn that "natural" does not necessarily mean safer. Permarin is advertised as a natural hormone because it comes from an animal source (pregnant mares' urine) but that doesn't mean it's natural to humans. I really admire Dr. Hess's honesty. About proper eating habits: "Most of us really don't know the elements of a healthy diet, even though we think we do...and the medical profession's new understanding (of nutrition) has not been effectively translated into practice." And with regard to sex: "A stale emotional relationship and/or a stale sexual relationship is one of the most significant causes of female sexual dysfunction at any age!" Yes, there is an excellent section on male menopause too.
Like any map, there's more than one way to reach a goal. Dr Hess presents all of the possibilities in this single, easy to understand book. It is exactly what we need to know.
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The Perfect Menopause: 7 Steps to the Best Time of Your Life 
POSTED: Friday, April 25, 2008
FROM BLOG: Reader Views - Book reviews, for readers, by readers.
The following blog post is from an independent writer and is not connected with Reuters News. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by Reuters.com.
Dr. Hess’ book “The Perfect Menopause” carries an intriguing subtitle – “7 Steps to the Best Time of Your Life.” Speaking to women around me, I have to admit I’ve never heard the words ‘menopause,’ ‘perfect’ and ‘best time’ mentioned together, in one sentence. Needless to say, I was curious and more than just a little skeptical…
Dr. Hess approaches the subject of menopause with a holistic and very much no-nonsense approach. It became immediately obvious to me that he has done extremely extensive research and that he evidently keeps informed about the current research and the numerous updates in the field of menopause management and treatments. While clearly expert, his writing never becomes too technical for an average reader and he never sounds condescending, which is something I’ve noticed in certain other books from the medical field. Dr. Hess sounds like somebody one would love to meet and have for a healthcare provider.
While guiding women through the sometimes very confusing data on menopause, possible treatments, treatment goals, symptoms management and general improvement in all of the related areas, Dr. Hess shows extreme respect for other people working in the field of menopause research and treatment, whether they are medical experts or simply women who have experienced it and decided to share their insight with others. While cautioning the reader to be diligent when deciding for certain treatments, Dr. Hess does not discount simple remedies, herbs, exercise and other, possibly less traditional ways of managing one’s symptoms. He also clarifies the immensely confusing issue of hormonal treatments, clarifies the results of past studies and offers the readers a comprehensive overview of hormonal treatment options.
I have no doubt that “The Perfect Menopause” should be present on the bookshelves of women in any stage of menopause, whether we are just entering it or are well in the midst of it. It should prove to be invaluable in gathering information as well as facilitating the future discussions with your health provider. Written in a clear and very upbeat voice, this is a great companion on the voyage through a certain unavoidable life stage. And with it, the journey should be considerably more pleasant.
The Perfect Menopause: 7 Steps to the Best Time of Your Life
Dr. Henry M. Hess, MD, PhD with Tiffany Farrell
Westfall Park Publishing Group (2008)
ISBN 9781604029352
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (4/08)
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
While I don't normally plug I book until after I've read it, I'm making an exception is this case for a highly recommended book!!
I'm writing to tell you about an exciting book I just discovered. I've only read part of it but it's VERY interesting and it was written by Dr. Henry M. Hess, M.D., Ph.D.
Some of my local endometriosis support group members have gone through surgical menopause... in other words menopause brought on by a hysterectomy. Others have gone through natural menopause. Still others are entering the perimenopause years. I think it's important to pay some attention to the topic of menopause (and perimenopause).
Many women I know personally were led to believe by their doctors that a hysterectomy would "cure" their endo... only to have serious health problems post-hysterectomy that are endometriosis related. THERE IS NO CURE FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS!
Dr. Henry M. Hess is a gynecologist, chemist, natural therapist & menopause expert. Dr. Hess has practiced in all areas of obstetrics and gynecology for over 25 years with a special interest in menopause and perimenopause. He believes in the integrative approach - a blend of traditional and natural medicine, and this is the focus of his book:
The Perfect Menopause: 7 Steps to the Best Time of Your Life by Dr. Henry M. Hess, M.D., Ph.D., (with Tiffany Farrell).
You may have seen the numerous stories in the news about estrogen replacement therapy or hormone replacement therapy and changes in how the medical community views the benefits vs. risks of certain medications. Due to recent controversy (sometimes quite heated) over treatment for the symptoms of menopause, I'm going to include the disclaimer straight from the book, The Perfect Menopause, here:
This book is meant to educate all women on the latest options for management of their menopause. However, it should not be used as an alternative to appropriate medical care. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions in the context of your specific medical situation with the help of your qualified medical provider.
In light of ongoing research and the constant flow of information, newer medical discoveries may invalidate some of the data presented here, and could even alter the considerations discussed in this book. We hope to continue to present updated versions of this book, recognizing that "the answers will continue to change".
In view of the possibility of human error and changes in medical sciences, neither the authors, nor any individual involved in the preparation of this work for publication, nor the University of Rochester, nor any individuals or other institutions mentioned in this book warrant that the information is in every respect accurate or complete. Neither the authors, nor the University of Rochester, nor any other party or institutions mentioned in this book are responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of the information in this book. We strongly advise that the information in this book be used in collaboration with your qualified medical provider.
The book points out, "The fact that it is only within the last century or so that life expectancies increased enough for menopause to become a regular experience for women indicates that the field of menopause is a relatively new area of medical research. Before the 1900s, the average life expectancy for women was 47".
If you are in need of information on menopause or perimenopause, this book was reviewed by Tara Allmen, M.D. (Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, Center for Menopause, http://center-for-menopause.com/) as follows, "Finally, women have a scientifically accurate and up-to-date resource on menopause!"
Here is the website associated with this book:
http://www.theperfectmenopause.com
With all of the confusion about treatments for menopause in the media these days and the fact that some of the women in my local endometriosis support group struggle with how to handle such symptoms, I thought it would be a good idea to devote a post to this book on menopause. Hopefully some of you reading this blog will find it helpful!
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
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