Turning Point

With some thirteen million women now between the ages of forty-five and fifty-four, menopause has become a major health issue, and the demand for information on this once taboo topic has increased dramatically. But while researchers are beginning to unravel the biological mysteries surrounding menopause, and discover new and effective treatments for many of the symptoms, their findings often remain buried in medical journals, leaving women outside the medical and scientific communities with many unanswered questions. Now, in Turning Point, biologist Sue Furman has combed the scientific literature to share this information with those who want and need it most--women who are now, or will one day be, experiencing menopause. The first book to explain the biology of menopause in clear, everyday terms, Turning Point offers women an intelligent portrait of what happens to the body during menopause and reveals what they can do to make this time less distressing. It will allow them to question physicians with authority, understand their answers, and take a more active role in treatment. Furman begins with a lively overview of "the chemistry of love," covering everything from estrogen and testosterone, to pheromones, PEA, and oxytocin, and treating readers to many fascinating sidelights, such as the fact that testosterone levels in both men and women reach an annual high in October. She then shows how estrogen plays a pivotal role in the physiology and behavior of women throughout their lives--in fact, it influences some 300 bodily functions--and how the drop in estrogen production during menopause can profoundly influence a woman's mental and physical state. The book examines the myriad symptoms that can accompany menopause--hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, mood swings, fuzzy vision, migraine headaches, incontinence, bladder infections, and thinning scalp hair among others. Readers will learn what they can expect if these symptoms appear, exactly what is happening to make them feel the way they do, and what measures they might take to alleviate any discomfort. In particular, Furman discusses the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy, showing that the uterine cancer scare involving HRT was unfounded, and providing women with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding treatment. Furman also sorts out the confusing data on osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, and offers women sensible advice on nutrition, exercise, and smoking. By debunking the many myths and fears surrounding menopause, and by providing women with easy-to-grasp, reliable information, Turning Point helps women retain the peace of mind--and sense of humor--that can make menopause a healthy experience and allow women to move confidently into the second half of life.