Menopause – between novel, science and self-care

There are many ways to approach menopause. Over the past few years I have tried quite a few of them – here are my favourite books and recommendations.

What helped me most? Humour. Being able to laugh about it. With my husband. With friends. With my teenager, who is currently going through puberty of his own. Somehow this stage of life really does feel like a second puberty – just with a little more life experience, considerably less sleep and a few extra kilos.

At the same time, I wanted to understand what was actually happening in my body. Because only when you understand can you tell what is normal, which symptoms can be influenced and when it makes sense to seek support.

And of course I tried out a lot myself. I particularly enjoyed the programme from NOBODYTOLDME. The course combines up-to-date knowledge with very practical exercises – from the yoga mat to the kitchen grater. The content is beautifully prepared, motivating and easy to integrate into everyday life. I really appreciated this very hands-on approach.

Still, one thing remains: menopause is a stage of life full of surprises. It demands change – in the body, in the way we see ourselves, in our relationship, in the family and sometimes at work too. At the same time, it offers the chance to shape one's own life anew.

My current stack of books reflects exactly this diversity:

„Auf allen vieren" by Miranda July tells, with plenty of humour and depth, the story of a woman in midlife who begins to question her life anew. Not a self-help book – but a novel that makes so much of it tangible. A kind of report from a grown-up teenager on the edge. Wonderfully spot-on.

„Die gereizte Frau" by Miriam Stein turns the focus to the social dimension of menopause. Why is this stage of life still talked about so little? Why are symptoms so often played down? An important book that broadens the horizon.

If you want to understand what happens medically, „The Menopause Brain" by Lisa Mosconi offers a fascinating explanation of why memory, sleep, concentration or mood can change – and why many women temporarily no longer recognise themselves.

„Herzsprechstunde" is a reminder that, particularly during menopause, heart health deserves more attention – a topic that is often underestimated.

Books such as „The Hormone Reset Diet" or „Die Weisheit der Wechseljahre" by Christiane Northrup, in turn, show very different ways in which nutrition, hormones and lifestyle can influence wellbeing. You don't have to agree with everything – but different perspectives often help you find your own way.

Not every book will inspire every woman. Not every recommendation suits every life situation. But knowledge takes away uncertainty.

Those who understand what is happening in their own body can better make sense of symptoms, seek help more specifically and make decisions with more confidence. And those who realise that other women feel much the same often feel less alone. Community, exchange and a good dose of humour sometimes make this second puberty surprisingly much lighter.

My conclusion: between novels, social debate, medical research and very practical programmes lies a vast treasure of knowledge. You don't have to read everything. But sometimes just the right book – or the right conversation – is enough to experience this stage of life with considerably more calm and confidence.