Jennifer GunterReseñas

This was a comprehensive, well-organized book, and I will be getting my own copy for re-reading and reference.

I've really enjoyed Jen Gunter's other books, and I was excited that my local library acquired her new release as soon as it came out! Blood has a very specific focus on menstruation: what's normal, what's abnormal, what some causes of abnormalities may be, what treatments can be used for certain symptoms, etcetera. I appreciated her inclusive language--and her few pointed tirades against the patriarchy.

There is some overlap with the content of previous books, but it's been years since I read them, so I approached this one with fresh eyes. As ever, I learned a lot of incredibly useful scientific facts, things that will make me much more educated in future doctor visits. She does, at times, delve deep into medical terminology; there were a few pages where I had to skim because the content was going beyond me. There are frequent illustrations, however, to help explain concepts.

nonfiction, health, educational, science

Excellent handbook for anyone with uterus and ovaries. In a time when some think that everyone is aware of what goes on with the body of someone in possession of those definitive body parts, there are still some sects and other nationalities that believe that menstruation is a curse and that those who do so must absolutely be segregated from everyone during the time of bleeding. Even "enlightened" people have no idea that their bleeding experiences are not universal. The information covers so many aspects that it must be read to appreciate its scope.
It is an excellent teaching tool in private or in groups, and would be a good gift for many and especially your local public library.
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books, Citadel via NetGalley. Thank you!

5 stars: An exceptionally good book.

The author is an ob/gyn and describes numerous aspects of perimenopause, menopause, and women's health through the aspects of the patriarchy to ensure that women have all the information that they need to make informed health decisions. Some readers may not like the feminist tones and humor but the information contained is first rate.

Kept, researched, highlighted, sent to others. Best advocacy I can give.

From amazon:

"The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability. Factor in widespread misinformation, a lack of research, and the culture of shame around women’s bodies, and it’s no wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition and beyond.

Menopause is not a disease—it’s a planned change, like puberty. And just like puberty, we should be educated on what’s to come years in advance, rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information. Knowing what is happening, why, and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring.

Frank and funny, Dr. Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about:

*Perimenopause * Hot flashes * Sleep disruption * Sex and libido * Depression and mood changes * Skin and hair issues * Outdated therapies * Breast health * Weight and muscle mass * Health maintenance screening * And much more!

Filled with practical, reassuring information, this essential guide will revolutionize how women experience menopause—including how their lives can be even better for it!"

Dr. Jen Gunter does a great job of importing a lot of medical information about menopause into your brain. I am glad that I have a physical copy of this book to reference as I start this journey sometime in the next 7 years.

As a 45 year old woman with very little idea of what’s coming for my body in the next decade or so, I thought this would be an important book to read. Gunter does a good job of separating fact from fiction and backing up her info with high quality studies. Problem is that there still just isn’t a ton of info about menopause that is reliable and thorough. But, she does a good job at covering what there is, and it was reassuring to know that there are options to treat many of the symptoms that women experience.

Because she sticks to the science, there were lots of anecdotal symptoms that I’m heard from friends that she does not cover, or covers lightly.

But I learned a lot about when to consider MHT (that’s what they call hormone therapy now), what to combine, the different ways to take it, and how to weigh the pros and cons.

She also goes through non-medication options that are proven to help menopause symptoms - like diet and exercise. She is very against supplements but does give thorough reasons why. And there is a good chapter on osteoporosis -which often occurs with menopause.

I did not get all my questions answered and definitely want to read more to have a balanced view, but I’d recommend this if you’re going through it or have a partner who is.

Original publication date: 2021
Author’s nationality: American
Original language: English
Length: 400 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Format/where I acquired the book: purchased
Why I read this: to gain knowledge about the topic

Listen sisters, there are over 45 million women in the USA alone who are in some stage of menopause, yet there is no chatter. Whether you’ve been through it, are there now or have it to look forward to (haha), this is a part of our natural body process, and we need to be talking about it… with each other, our doctors, our partners. We need to normalize talking about the mood swings, heavy bleeds, 6 week periods (omg seriously!), clots the size of golfballs, and what options are out there for relief. It’s a lonely, scary and wtf kind of place to try to navigate alone, and with so many of us, there’s no need. My sista friend was kind and open enough to talk with me recently & she recommended this book- it saved my sanity, opened conversation on this new adventure and I challenge us all to keep it going.
The Menopause Manifesto was written by an OB/GYN who understands not only the physiology of menopause but also the emotional and social aspects to it. Her voice is like talking to your smartest girl friend about wth is going on with your body when it seems like you no longer know yourself! There’s some female medical history, where we were and why we're here with the silence, a lot of what’s happening to your body and why, and options broken down. Dr Gunter is witty and real, this does not read like a medical or self help book but let me tell you, a lot of validation was occurring within the first hour of reading and I didn’t feel so alone in this. Like ‘Taking Charge of Your Fertility’ (not just about fertility- this teaches you about your female body & how it changes throughout your cycle each month!) and ‘What to Expect when You’re Expecting’, this book needs to be on your shelf. Facebook group posts mention some kind of women's health here & there which is great to get conversations started, but the misinformation and lack of knowledge about our bodies and how they function is rather shocking. Too many of us don’t know what’s happening within us, from puberty through menopause, or why, and this book goes a long way in entertainingly educating us about so much of it. Do yourself a favor and pick it up. Let’s normalize what over half the world population is going through that no one talks about.

Dr. Gunter's book came to my attention via Twitter and I felt compelled, now that I have begun "the transition," to educate myself on what to expect going forward. It was certainly eye-opening, and I found myself oscillating between wishing I could sear all of the information into my brain to recall as needed and feeling increased anxiety about growing old and decrepit. While the subject matter doesn't exactly make it a page-turner, the tone is surprisingly casual and conversational which I appreciated (some may not), though I'm certain that some of the more complex terminology and physiological explanation went over my head. My single biggest complaint is grammatical: misplaced and missing commas. Had these been edited properly it would have helped significantly with legibility. I sometimes had to read a sentence two or three times to understand how it was meant to be parsed. Though I work at a public library and rarely purchase books anymore, I'd consider purchasing my own copy of this book. The supplementary information in the back looks like it could come in handy, and overall it has given me lots to think about as I consider my own health over the next several decades.

Dr. Jen Gunter systematically takes you through the symptoms you may experience during menopause and what medically causes them, then addresses ways you can treat them if you so choose. Along the way, she busts myths and encourages women to fight the patriarchy in how they advocate for and think about their health.

Since my doctors had been less than forthcoming when I asked about the menopause transition, I went and found some material of my own to check out. Thankfully, BookRiot came out with a list of menopause books that have come out in the last couple of years, and this is the second of the two books I've read so far. And though I've only read two, I think this would be the one that I recommend those going through perimenopause read first. It gave me the language to talk to my doctor about my symptoms, familiarized me with the various treatments she might suggest, and helped me frame the questions I still had. I usually rate books in a sense on how likely I'd be to reread them, and though I don't know that I'd read this book over from cover to cover (it did get a little repetitive, written more in a way that you could dip in and out of the chapters that interested you), I would nevertheless consider having it in my personal library to reference over the next several years.½

This book was everything I hoped it'd be: a comprehensive, frank-talking discussion of the vagina, vulva, and the surrounding plumbing. How it works (and doesn't), the outlook of history, possible diseases and conditions, a breakdown of persistent myths--this book does a great job of taking much-maligned 'dirty' parts and making them fresh without need of some ridiculous April-fresh douche. This is a resource I can see myself referencing in the future.

I got this book as an ARC and as a man was surprised they sent it to me. But honestly I have learned a lot. My wife and I have been through this years ago but there is still current relevant information we can use regarding general health, diet and menopause aftereffects. Many times I would say Doctor Gunter says this. Is your doctor checking your lipids or did you know this causes muscle aches? There were parts of chapters that I skipped that were not relevant or never had been (specific medications and treatment) That said I did learn a lot.

She has been called Twitter's resident gynecologist, the Internet's OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women's health...and she's here to give you the straight talk on the topics she knows best

Does eating sugar cause yeast infections?

Does pubic hair have a function?

Should you have a vulvovaginal care regimen?

Will your vagina shrivel up if you go without sex?

What's the truth about the HPV vaccine?

So many important questions, so much convincing, confusing, contradictory misinformation!

So how do you separate facts from fiction? OB-GYN Jen Gunter, an expert on women's health--and the internet's most popular go-to doc--comes to the rescue with a book that debunks the myths and educates and empowers women

Discover the truth!

Thank you Goodreads and Kensington Books for the chance to read this book!!

Let me tell you I am a woman in her mid-thirties and there were things in this book that even I didn’t know about or thought one thing or told another and this book says the completely different thing. But also showing the reasons and examples why some of the things we have learned is not exactly right. The book was very educational. Happy reading everyone!!

So much information here, and I loved it. Gunter breaks down every question one might have about menopause and de stigmatizes any fears about it all. I’m almost exactly 44.5 years, so I know that things will be possibly ramping up in the next five years, and I’m so grateful that this book exists.

I think I picked up one new interesting piece of information. This does not include a lot that isn't available elsewhere, however there is a lot of concentrated information, all together and reliable. This is set out more for reference than for reading through.

Lifestyle assumptions are for a different part of the population than mine.

I read the German translation. The translation is fairly smooth. The text has been edited to make it more useful for German readers.

“I demand that the era of silence and shame about menopause yield to facts and feminism. I proclaim that we must stop viewing menopause as a disease, because that means being a woman is a disease and I reject that shoddily constructed hypothesis. I also declare that what the patriarchy thinks of menopause is irrelevant. Men do not get to define the value of women at any age.”

After 38 years of regular but long, heavy and painful periods (minus 4 successful pregnancies and three miscarriages), I’ve actually been looking forward to menopause in some ways. At 48, I have now been experiencing the symptoms of peri menopause for about 18 months, and while I expected some of the more well known effects such as hot flushes, insomnia and irregular bleeding, I now realise, thanks to Jen Gunter and The Menopause Manifesto, that the inexplicable joint pain I have been suffering may also be related.

For the uninformed, menopause occurs when there are no more follicles in the ovaries capable of ovulating, meaning there are no more eggs, and menstruation ceases. The average age when this happens is 50-52 years. However the transition to menopause (often referred to as peri menopause) can start several years earlier, and the length, and the severity of symptoms, may vary significantly from woman to woman. There are dozens of common symptoms and conditions associated with menopause from an increased risk of heart disease to a decrease in libido, but they don’t just occur in a vacuum - they may be influenced by general health, age and lifestyle factors. Gunter provides detailed but mostly accessible medical facts about the biological process of menopause, its medical ramifications, and a comprehensive guide to treatment options. Useful chapter summaries in point form are provided if you are inclined to skim the denser scientific material. Personal anecdotes and blunt observations from the author ensures the material is rarely dry.

The Menopause Manifesto not only delivers the science but also explores how menopause is perceived (primarily in America and similar cultures). Gunter includes discussion about patriarchal medicine’s tendency to dismiss or minimise the experience of menopause, the culture of shame attached to the transition, and the lack of education surrounding the process. The feminist slant of the book is unapologetic as Gunter encourages women to empower themselves with knowledge so as to better advocate for their own health.

The Menopause Manifesto is a comprehensive, practical resource for all in possession of female reproductive organs. I wish I had read something like this five years ago and strongly recommend that women aged from in their early forties consider educating themselves about menopause well in advance.½

I received an advance edition of this book via NetGalley.

"Apparently there is nothing of lower value than an aging woman's body, and many in our society treat menopause not as a phase of life, but rather as a phase of death. Sort of a pre-death."

Jen Gunter confronts the subject of menopause through a distinctly matter-of-fact, feminist view in her book The Menopause Manifesto. She is an OB/GYN with decades of experience in her field, but also speaks from personal experience, having recently gone through 'the change' herself. As a person of 41 years, most definitely in perimenopause, I found her perspective refreshing. She discusses subjects like sex, bleeding, and hot flashes in blunt terms, and confronts the immense misinformation put forth by the media and lousy doctors. She brings in the history behind the very term and idea of menopause.

The book isn't always an easy read. While the subject is always interesting, some stretches were a bit dry. This wasn't something I could sit and read straight through, but in patches here and there. I found tremendous value in her words. Her humor is wry and witty, and her attitude wonderfully positive. For example, she points out, "Fat-phobia among health care providers has caused many women with hot flushes and night sweats to be dismissed. 'If you'd just lose weight' isn't appropriate medical therapy nor is it compassionate, and the horrible implication is some women deserve their symptoms." PREACH IT, JEN.

My gosh, but I wish I'd had a doctor like her early in my life. I wish I had a doctor like her now! I have a feeling that I will be returning to this book many, many times in the coming years.

After a few chapters of history/rumination on misogyny in medicine, a very comprehensive overview of what we know about menopause’s physical—including cognitive/emotional—effects and variations, as well as potential treatments for different symptoms that are causing distress. I definitely agree that we need more information about and discussion of menopause: I had no idea that much, much heavier periods—enough so that I became anemic—were reasonably common in the menopause transition, until I started researching. She’s a fan of properly prescribed hormone therapy, and down on compounded medications, whose quality control/dose regularity is worse than Big Pharma’s even though their chemical composition is no more “natural” or better in any other way: “Compounded hormones aren’t helping women avoid the gaps in medicine; they’re exploiting them.”

De vaginabijbel. Door Jen Gunter.

Wat een boek, wat een bijbel. Want een bijbel is het echt: dik en onmisbaar, het zou in elk huishouden aanwezig moeten zijn. Pluspunt: Gunter is al bijna 30 jaar gynaecoloog dus je kan er van op aan dat de info in dit boek ook klopt.

In deze bijbel lees je alles over de vulva en vagina en nog zo veel meer. Gunter heeft een missie en die missie is: alle mythes (veelal gecreëerd door het patriarchaat) rondom de vrouwelijke gezondheid de wereld uithelpen. Dit doet ze op een enthousiaste, aanstekelijke, duidelijke, begrijpbare, feministische en vaak humoristische manier.

In de vaginabijbel vind je echt alles dat je moet weten als je een vagina/vulva hebt. Gaande van anatomie en werking over verzorging, veroudering tot ziektes en fabeltjes. Daarnaast geeft ze ook antwoord op vragen over heel uiteenlopende onderwerpen zoals: vaginaal gebruik van cannabis, wasverzachter, een jade-ei, kegeloefeningen, anale penetratie, … Je kan het zo gek niet bedenken of het staat in dit boek.

Dat maakt de vaginabijbel echt tot een onmisbaar naslagwerk. Je hoeft het niet van voor naar achter te lezen. Je kan de delen die je nu al aangaan lezen, je kan op een bepaald onderwerp zoeken en dat deel al lezen; je kiest maar. Eens je dit boek in huis hebt kan je opzoeken wat je maar wil, wanneer je maar wil zodat je juist geïnformeerd zorg kan dragen voor jezelf. En moest er toch eens iets mis gaan, dan kan dit boek je helpen om met de juiste vragen en informatie naar je arts te gaan.

Jen Gunter heeft een missie en die missie ondersteun ik ten volle. Koop dit boek, lees het, deel het. En praat er over. Help elkaar. Door dit boek cadeau te doen aan je dochters, moeders, zussen, nichtjes, buurvrouwen,… Daan Borrel was al fan (lees zeker haar geweldige voorwoord in dit boek), ik ben het ondertussen ook, nu jij nog!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is written in a very engaging way, with flashes of humour and lots of practical advice. There were many chapters that were dense with scientific facts, which I found myself less inclined to concentrate on when the chapter in question was not directly relevant to my personal circumstances. Fortunately each chapter ends with a 'Bottom Line' page, so that you can grasp an overview and move on.

This is an excellent resource, which I can imagine referring to months and years down the road. I would recommend buying a print copy - the tables and diagrams didn't work on my Kindle.

This was a DNF for me. Before I start, look....I'm not a TERF. I think trans women should be included in conversations about women. I believe they are women. However, I can see why TERFS be so mad. In today's world of identity politics victim olympics, trans-women are given much greater consideration than cis-women. Because they have more chips than us, you see. The second chapter in this book is a detailed explanation of trans vaginas. In a book about freaking VAGINAS, we have to talk about the issues that come about when scrotum hair grows inside of a trans vagina :/
I know, I know, this isn't the wokest of opinions. Bite me.
Why would such a niche issue be chapter two, except to pander to the most trendy of woke topics? Trans women make up a much smaller segment of the population than cis women. I'm not mad the chapter was included, but it should have been closer to the end. The fact that we talk about trans vaginas BEFORE cis vaginas is incredibly telling.
And this feminist didn't get the memo. Word on the feminist street is that hymens aren't real. Construction of the patriarchy blah...blah....Yet, she's in here talking about the hymen in great detail. Feminism is having a fucking identity crisis.
I'd love to read a book like this by a conservative woman. I'd like to learn about my own anatomy without all the wokeness shoved down my throat. Conservative women have pussies too.

I read this book as an electronic advance reading copy provided by NetGalley, and I have submitted my comments to the publisher via that web site.

This book is a practical, well researched* guide to menopause and the transition to that life stage. The author is an experienced physician who bases her recommendations on published evidence* while also adding some personal anecdotes to humanize the experience of menopause. There are numerous strengths about this book. The author has a progressive, holistic perspective that respects women's experiences and concerns. She believes in shared decision making between a patient and her health care provider. She knows that health is dependent on many factors and explicitly recognizes the influences of racism, adverse childhood experiences, and the economics of U.S. health care.

Although she does not minimize quality of life concerns (above all she is respectful of her audience), she leads the book with a high stakes topic: a discussion of how cardiovascular disease kills far more women than breast cancer does and how menopause, and its therapies, fit into the CVD issue. She moves systematically through the different ways that menopause, and aging in general, can affect a woman's health, noting the prevalence of symptoms so that readers do not feel alone. She concludes with interventions for the symptoms and consequences of menopause. She looks critically both at the medical option of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), including the controversial findings of the Women's Health Initiative study, as well as nutritional supplements and other complementary therapies. As a proponent of shared decision making, the author provides tools for the reader to do her own research and recognize red flags about information sources and content.

Usually when I read advance copies, there are minimal typos and formatting issues. This book is an exception. The numerous font changes and word spacing errors made it difficult to read, and some charts and figures are missing from the body of the text. The various egregious typos ("Success rates vary depressing on the procedure selected,” “a small about of estrogen,” “personal risk benefit ration,” “a prescription fish old supplement”) are amusing but also worrying--will the author, editor, and publishers be able to address them all?

*Even more troubling is the lack of literature references and suggestions for further reading. The author's voice is clear and confident, but she needs to cite the evidence and provide concrete examples when she makes assertions such as, "some vitamins and minerals affect the ability to absorb others so high doses in the intestine from a multivitamin may affect the ability to absorb important nutrients from food." Which vitamins have this effect? What studies have proved it? The final version of this book needs to include references, or else it will be just an opinion piece.

Recommended, after the final revisions have been made, for all readers. The current advance reading copy is not ready for publication.½

I was surprisingly impressed by this book. It is a comprehensive and inclusive education that I would recommend to anyone who received a less-than-stellar health education in school. The author, Dr. Jennifer Gunter, is precise, detailed, and unbiased when explaining conditions, symptoms, and phenomenon. One could read it from start to finish, or simply reference specific chapters (and there are 40 ) if needed. I appreciated her humor and bullshit radar when it comes to menstrual/vaginal products, "natural" cures or therapies, and myths that have blinded women for centuries about their own bodies. She threw a few daggers at Gwyneth Paltrow, which I am so here for. I recommend the audiobook. Thanks, Dr. Gunter!

** Full disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review**
Man, I wish I had a book like this when I was going through puberty and my first period. Due to my age, quite a lot of what is covered here no longer applies to me but it was still a fascinating and educational read.
It is well written and accessible, I love the conversational style it makes the content less intimidating and easier to digest. There aren't a lot of illustrations but the ones there are, are very useful and to the point.

Every woman should own a copy of this book and all girls entering their preteen years should definitely be given one. Fathers who have daughters should read this book. This book should be required reading.
I have several women in my life who will be getting a copy soon if they don't already have one of their own. Heck, I knew more than a few men who should read it as well.

I learned so much from this. I'm so glad that unbiased facts were presented and wish that more OBGYNs were like Jenn. This book was the perfect advocate and manual for all vagina owners.

I didn’t finish this book because the author likes to rely on her own leaps of “common sense,” logic, etc., but shows derision toward other forms of wellness and healing. If you want to steam your vagina instead of take a steaming hot bath to relax your pelvic floor muscles that’s your prerogative and you’re not dumb for doing it. I’ll tell anyone I’m just as likely to burn myself in a bath and I’m a grown-ass adult.