by Cathy Cooney

According to the Yale School of Medicine, 6,000 people begin menopause every day in the US; That works out to 1.3 million people each year. But while this is something that affects a large percentage of the population, it’s not something that we often talk about.

That’s why Ames Public Library (APL) is offering a program this month called Menopause 101: Symptoms, Treatments, and What to Expect. In addition to these topics, presenter Rachel Frederick will also answer common questions and describe modern approaches to care for people experiencing all stages of menopause and for the people supporting them along the way. Rachel is a Physician Assistant practicing since 2012 and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with special training in menopause and patient education. To join the program, being held Wednesday, March 25 at 7 pm, stop by the APL Auditorium, or join us live online over Zoom. This program will not be recorded for later viewing.

If you’re unable to attend or would like more reading on the topic, several great books about menopause have come out in the past couple of years. For readers who are interested in a more scientific approach, check out the following books by medical professionals: “Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause” by Jessica Shepherd, “The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts” by Mary Claire Haver, and “The New Perimenopause: An Evidence-Based Guide to Surviving the Zone of Chaos and Feeling Like Yourself Again” by Mary Claire Haver. “How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better Than Before” by Tamsen Fadal examines menopause with the wisdom of medical experts, sex therapists, sleep doctors, and a variety of other sources. For a more humorous and conversational take incorporating the experience of the author, try “Menopause Is Hot: Everything You Need To Know To Thrive” by Mariella Frostrup or “Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause” by Naomi Watts. “Bloody Hell!: Adventures in Menopause From Around the World” edited by Mona Eltahawy is a collection of essays by menopausal individuals (women, transmasculine, and nonbinary) and “The Big M: 13 Writers Take Back the Story of Menopause” by Lidia Yuknavitch is a chorus of written voices sharing their own experiences. 

Whether you choose to read about it or attend our program on March 25, we hope you’ll take a moment to learn more about menopause.