Margaret Smith - Is It Me Or My Hormones?: Understanding Midlife Change

Hormones play a complex role in our lives psychologically as well as physically. The advice provided by Dr Margaret Smith and Patricia Michalka in this book is timely, as Australian women endeavour to become better informed about their health and wellbeing. This book is a valuable tool to help us explore our options, to determine whether we can blame our hormones or if, in fact, we need to address other issues to ensure we live long, healthy lives.

The Jean Hailes Foundation for Womens Health

This book makes an important contribution to womens lives. It contains the practical sharing of two impressive women who are rare teachers. As my colleagues and friends for over 20 years I have seen them walk their talk. They write in easy-to-understand language with a practical wisdom born out of their life decisions to choose peace and to walk in love and gratitude.

Jerry G Jampolsky, MD, author and founder of the International Center for Attitudinal Healing

This is a delightful book which should give great comfort to those women who are experiencing a number of symptoms and emotions as they approach and pass through menopause. Filled with anecdotes and stories of many women who have suffered a range of these symptoms and emotions, it carefully dissects the problems in an attempt to clarify what is related to ovarian dysfunction from those which are of a psychological interpersonal nature.

These two experienced clinicians are sharing with their reader the approach they have taken when handling the complex problems facing women whose hormones are beginning to change as their bodies age and their relationships alter. They have used poetry and prose to introduce the subject of each chapter in a manner which reflects the care and concerns of the authors.

For women who are bewildered by the powerful changes in their bodies this book should provide great help and comfort and increase their knowledge of how hormones affect behaviour.

Dr Barry G Wren, Consultant Gynaecologist, first president and founding member of the Australian Menopause Society

Many talk about holistic approaches in medicine but few manage to do it. Here is a book on menopause that truly examines the mind, body and spirit. Menopause is a time of life where not only physical symptoms like hot flushes or aches and pains may need to be addressed, but often hidden issues surface. These may relate to childbearing, fear of death and loss, worries about ones spouse or children and even purpose in life. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on forgiveness. Margaret and Patricia are to be congratulated for producing such a helpful book.