Shahzadi Harper - The Perimenopause Solution: Take control of your hormones before they take control of you

WRITE-ON PAGES
Any references to writing in this book refer to the original printed version.
Readers should write on a separate piece of paper in these instances.

Emma Bardwell is a registered nutritionist and member of the British Menopause Society. Her evidence-based approach, coupled with an ongoing interest in perimenopause and menopause, has made her one of the go-to names in womens health. Emma combines the most up-to-date research with a 360-degree approach, focusing on diet, lifestyle, stress reduction and exercise, to help women overcome their symptoms. Emma is deeply anti-fad and doesnt care for restriction, believing in positive rather than perfect nutrition. She regularly contributes to publications such as Red magazine, Sheerluxe and Sweaty Betty. You can connect with her on Instagram @emma.bardwell or online at www.emmabardwell.com.

Dr Shahzadi Harper is an innovative modern menopause and womens wellbeing doctor with a holistic and medical approach. She believes in the early management of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and understands how our hormones affect not only our physical health, but also our mental wellbeing. Dr Harper is not afraid to discuss issues that other doctors may shy away from such as libido, vaginal dryness, ageing and sex. Shes on a mission to empower women of all backgrounds and ethnicities to look and feel their best.

EBURY

UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia
New Zealand | India | South Africa

Ebury is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

First published by Vermilion in 2021

Copyright Dr Shahzadi Harper and Emma Bardwell 2021
Illustrations Nic & Lou 2021

The moral rights of the authors have been asserted

Cover design Heike Schssler

ISBN: 978-1-473-59119-6

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

The information in this book has been compiled as general guidance on the specific subjects addressed. It is not a substitute and not to be relied on for medical, healthcare or pharmaceutical professional advice. Please consult your GP before changing, stopping or starting any medical treatment. So far as the authors are aware the information given is correct and up-to-date as at May 2021. Practice, laws and regulations all change and the reader should obtain up-to-date professional advice on any such issues. The authors and publishers disclaim, as far as the law allows, any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or misuse of the information contained in this book. Case studies: Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people who have shared their stories.

For our daughters.

And to all the women feeling lost, confused and invisible.

Its time to take back control.

In our respective jobs a nutritionist and a doctor, both specialising in womens health we talk about perimenopause day in, day out. In fact, it often feels like were on repeat. Occasionally we get this niggle that people are sick of us listing symptoms and talking about the long-term risk factors of hormone deficiency. Yet after every event, every social media post, every article, every podcast, we are besieged by women clamouring to ask questions, share stories and recount experiences. And the thrust of the conversation is always the same: we had no idea this was happening to us.

Lack of understanding, including in the medical profession, is rife when it comes to perimenopause. Of late, the world is much better at talking about pregnancy, periods, postnatal depression and mental health, but there is a dearth of straight-talking, no-nonsense, evidence-based information when it comes to perimenopause. Yes, theres an unprecedented amount of noise on the subject, with people often nebulously lumping everything together under the umbrella of menopause, but so little of whats out there is engaging, reliable or shines a light on the most crucial part of the transition. We decided that needed to change and so The Perimenopause Solution was born.

The Perimenopause Solution provides answers to the questions we get asked online and in clinic every day, the ones we even asked ourselves in perimenopause. Our hope is that it will liberate you from the tyranny (and expense) of unsubstantiated claims, fad diets and sham therapies. We want it to cut through the confusion and make perimenopause a much simpler and better understood process. Our hope is that, by stripping perimenopause down to its basic parts, you will get a firm grip of whats happening in your body, understand how to manage it better and turn it to your advantage. Perimenopause can be hard work especially if youre unprepared for it but its not insurmountable. In fact, wed go as far as saying its your bodys way of signalling that something needs to change. Your old ways no longer serve you; its time to pivot.

Hormones are complicated. Our mutual interest in womens health means we get that more than most. As much as we both enjoy exploring research and bringing truths to the public, the best bit about our jobs is that we get the chance to sit down with women, listen to their worries and empower them to take control of their health. Much of what women talk to us about stems from sensationalist headlines, scaremongering on social media and mixed messages from unqualified sources. Because perimenopause is still shrouded in a fair amount of secrecy and shame, theres an unprecedented number of myths being peddled. This book turns all that on its head.

As youll read in , your experience of perimenopause is based on many things, not least your socioeconomic background. If youre not getting the support you need from your doctor, private treatment is available but is outside many womens means. The Perimenopause Solution is as close to a private consultation as you can get without actually booking an appointment. Whats more, it affords you insights from not one, but two, qualified specialists.

Science informs the way both of us practise, but were very open to new ideas and approaches. Unlike some of its peers, our book is predicated on evidence-backed research brought to life through nearly three decades of combined clinical practice. We refer to studies and research throughout, but also weave in the experiences of real-life women and tips that weve found to be helpful, both personally and professionally. When something is anecdotal or doesnt have research to back it up yet, we tell you so. More than anything we wanted to create a book thats practical, so each chapter contains bullet point tips, nuggets of actionable advice, and ends with a summary of the most salient points perfect if youre tired or feeling a bit foggy and havent got the energy to read every word of every chapter.