14 of the Best Menopause Books Chosen By Real Women

Editor’s note: This article also contains affiliate links, so we earn a small commission if you choose to buy ‒ at no extra cost to you. Happy shopping!

How many books have been written about menopause?

Until recently, not enough!

But in the last few years, many more writers have published menopause books that inform, inspire, and entertain as they explore this time of change in women’s lives.

Whether you’re looking for a reliable guide to menopause symptoms and treatments, real-life menopause experiences, or even fiction featuring menopausal lead characters, there’s a book for you to try.

So, enjoy your browse through our list of 14 of the best menopause books.

In this article: 📝

Non-fiction menopause books

1. The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism by Dr. Jen Gunter (2021)

An empowering guide to menopause that aims to bust myths and counter misogyny.

Gynecologist Dr. Jen’s Menopause Manifesto is a funny, down-to-earth read that provides essential information about the experience of menopause.

It will help you understand the changes that your body is going through and take control of your own health.

Buy The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism here

2. Flash Count Diary: Menopause and the Vindication of Natural Life by Darcey Steinke (2019)

Writer Darcey Steinke weaves together an intensely personal account of her own menopause struggles with an exploration of attitudes toward menopause throughout history.

The book aims to challenge society’s negative views of this natural change and show how your post-reproductive life can be full of beauty and meaning.

Buy Flash Count Diary: Menopause and the Vindication of Natural Life here

3. The Change: Women, Ageing and the Menopause by Germaine Greer (2019)

Originally published in 1991, this is a new revised version of Germaine Greer’s controversial and insightful feminist work.

Actually, The Change doesn’t restrict itself to menopause—instead, Greer is interested in all aspects of older women’s lives and the injustices they face.

Guaranteed to get you and your friends talking.

Buy The Change: Women, Ageing and the Menopause here

4. The Slow Moon Climbs: The Science, History, and Meaning of Menopause by Susan P. Mattern (2019)

Did you know that for most of human history we’ve had no word for menopause?

The Slow Moon Climbs will give you a whole new perspective on this stage of your life.

Historian Susan Mattern explores menopause through the ages, and in the process reclaims it as something positive—a new way of living and contributing to society.

This is an uplifting and encouraging read.

Buy The Slow Moon Climbs: The Science, History, and Meaning of Menopause here

5. Perimenopause: The Savvy Sister’s Guide to Hormone Harmony by Dr. Anna Garrett (2019)

One of the best books on perimenopause is this practical guide by Dr. Anna Garrett.

What are the top 10 signs of menopause? You’ll find them in this book.

She covers those all-important years in the build-up to menopause (the moment 12 months after your final period), helping you manage your symptoms.

Find practical tips for tackling insomnia, mood swings, weight gain, and more.

Buy Perimenopause: The Savvy Sister’s Guide to Hormone Harmony here

6. The Menopause Solution: A Doctor’s Guide to Relieving Hot Flashes, Enjoying Better Sex, Sleeping Well, Controlling Your Weight, and Being Happy! by Stephanie S. Faubion, MD (2016)

A thorough and easy-to-read guide to a huge number of menopause-related health issues.

As the subtitle suggests, it talks about all the classic menopause symptoms (and treatments), plus broader aspects of health in midlife.

A book that covers all the bases.

Buy The Menopause Solution: A Doctor’s Guide to Relieving Hot Flashes, Enjoying Better Sex, Sleeping Well, Controlling Your Weight, and Being Happy! here

7. The Estrogen Question: Know Before You Say “No” to HRT by Sandra Rice, MD (2019)

It can be difficult to know what to think about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) when there are so many conflicting views out there.

The Estrogen Question is a useful tool to help you make up your mind about whether HRT is right for you.

It provides balanced information about the treatment, plus it explains all about the role of hormones and how they work in different areas of your body.

Buy The Estrogen Question: Know Before You Say “No” to HRT here

8. New Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way, Alternative Approaches for Women 30–90 by Susan S. Weed (2002)

This is the classic book on herbal remedies for menopause symptoms, starting at perimenopause and going right through postmenopause and beyond

It includes instructions for preparing the herbs, and recipes for heart and bone health, too. But it also has a more spiritual dimension.

The voice of Grandmother Growth accompanies your reading and guides you on your journey through menopause transformation.

Buy New Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way, Alternative Approaches for Women 30–90 here

9. Dear Menopause, I Do Not Fear You! A Modern Woman’s Guide to Thriving Through Midlife by Soma Mandal, MD (2019)

A compact guide to menopause that covers the history of the transition, common symptoms, and treatments—all with powerful positivity and a sense of humor.

In Soma Mandal’s view, menopause is “a perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself".

Empowering and informative.

Buy Dear Menopause, I Do Not Fear You! A Modern Woman’s Guide to Thriving Through Midlife here

10. Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause by Boston Women’s Health Book Collective (2006)

From the editors of the classic guide to women’s health, Our Bodies, Ourselves comes this comprehensive handbook on menopause.

It’s a blend of reliable scientific information and personal stories from real women who share their menopause experiences.

A really helpful book, whether you’re just starting perimenopause or you’re in the full throes of menopause symptoms.

Buy Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause here

Fiction books on menopause

If your shelf is already well-stocked with non-fiction menopause books, why not try one of these novels featuring lead characters navigating the waters of menopause and midlife?

11. The Hot Flash Club: A Novel by Nancy Thayer (2007)

The first in a fun series of four novels about four friends, all with menopause in common, who decide to embrace this next phase of their life and live it to the full.

A “coming of age” novel for menopause.

Buy The Hot Flash Club: A Novel here

12. How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson (2018)

The witty sequel to I Don’t Know How She Does It, this novel sees a nearly-50-year-old Kate Reddy battling hormonal changes, difficult teenagers, and elderly parents.

Buy How Hard Can It Be? here

13. Woman of a Certain Rage by Georgie Hall (2021)

Marital strife? Hot flashes?

Neither is going to get in Eliza’s way—at 50, she’s determined to shake things up in her life.

An intelligent, funny, and relatable read.

Buy Woman of a Certain Rage here

14. The Wife Who Got a Life by Tracy Bloom (2021)

When 48-year-old Cathy is given a motivational diary by her sister, she isn’t too impressed.

But setting goals for the next year—such as “ditch cooking”—leads to some surprising and welcome changes in her life.

Buy The Wife Who Got a Life here

What is the best menopause book?

We can’t tell you that! It’s up to you to decide.

We hope that one or more of these books about menopause will help inspire and guide you through this important time of your life.

Happy reading. 📚

📚 More on menopause: Introducing, Peanut Menopause Tea for Menopause: Which to Choose and Why What Happens During Menopause? How to Deal With Menopause When Does Menopause Start? Painful Sex After Menopause? What to Know Hot Flashes: Causes, Symptoms, and What to Do What to Know About Menopause Joint Pain 20 Remarkable Self-Help Books for Women Unusual Menopause Symptoms You Might Not Know Why Are My Breasts Getting Bigger After Menopause? What are the Signs Perimenopause is Ending? Orgasms After Menopause: All You Need to Know What are the 34 Symptoms of Menopause? Menopause and Sexless Marriage: Is There a Link? A Short Guide to Sex After Menopause What to Know: Menopause and Breast Pain Can You Get Pregnant After Menopause?