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The aim of the NZ Early Menopause Support Group reference library is to help give members access to as much information as possible. Knowledge is power and with a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure or early menopause, your long term physical and emotional health will benefit from access to a wide range of resources.

Choosing a health regime is a personal decision and NZEM does not advocate any particular way of managing your symptoms or looking after your long term health. But we do strongly urge you to research your options fully and always discuss treatment options with your medical practitioner.

To follow is the list of books currently available to members to borrow from our library. They were all generously donated by members of the group and we thank you all for your gifts.

If you have a book you’d like to donate, please email. It doesn’t matter if it’s already on the list – in fact it’d be great to have a few copies of each one to pass around.

If you would like to borrow a book, please send an email to the above address for more information. Depending on where you live, there may be a small postage fee. There is currently no borrowing time as such, but if another member requests a book you have, you’ll be asked to return it.

The Premature Menopause Book – Kathryn Petras

On the back cover...

If you are one of the women experiencing early menopause, you have hundreds of questions, but have probably found few answers... until now. The Premature Menopause Book is the first book focusing on this difficult transition – written by a woman who faced the same questions: What is happening to me? Why do I feel this way? What can I do about it? Do I need hormones? How can I have a baby despite this condition? How can I feel like “me” again?

Reviews

Nicole:- Excellent book. I refer to it often as it has information on just about everything I’ve experienced.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Early Menopause Guidebook – North American Menopause Society

On the back cover...

To promote the understanding of the physical and emotional changes that accompany early menopause as well as the health issues later in a woman’s life that may be related to menopause.

Reviews

Nicole:- This publication is so big because it attempts to cover every kind of ‘early menopause’ experience, be it spontaneous, surgery-induced or medically-induced. It seems a bit overwhelming in its complexity but is laid out well with headings and sub-headings so you can skip to the relevant bits for you. I thought there were some needless references to ‘middle age’ and ‘mid life’ issues from time to time, but all in all it’s a good resource.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Faces of POF – International Premature Ovarian Failure Association

On the back cover...

For those with Premature Ovarian Failure and for those who would help them, Faces of POF shows you the power and strength that other women with POF and their families have used to move through the physical and emotional process.

Reviews

Nicole:-

I must say I found it difficult to get into this book. I hardly identified with the first few stories and I was about to write it off as completely irrelevant; yet another resource that had let me down. But then I started recognising parts of the stories: the shock of diagnosis, the barrage of unfamiliar terminology, the desperate search for information, the fear of what the future holds. Finally, I found what I had anticipated: a community of women who had gone through something so similar to what I was experiencing. It gave me strength to feel understood, to feel “normal”.

Most important to me were the glimmers of hope that wove their way through the stories. Almost every single story included the initial reaction of despair and depression, but so many of them also offered solutions. Every woman must come to terms with her diagnosis in her own way and it was inspiring to read the various ways these women had done it. There were also a few stories from husbands and mothers which offered more of an insight into their experiences.

Of course not all the stories were helpful – the term POF seems to cover a vast range of experiences that suggests to me we’re not all going through the same thing and a lot more research needs to be done in this area. The older stories illustrated that doctors have come a long way in accepting this condition, but it was clear even in the newer ones that they still have a long way to go. I’m sure some women in this group would agree with that! This book illustrates that the more vocal we get, the better awareness and understanding there will be. Through their struggles with various health systems, these women have all helped pave the way to make my diagnosis as prompt as it was. Their stories now help to ease the pain of my personal journey.

To me this is a book of hope and healing borne through sharing stories. It provided comfort that my disappointment, anger and frustration are all normal reactions to a devastating diagnosis. It gave me different ways of viewing my situation: it reminded me of what I have and what I’m glad I don’t have; it helped me to see this diagnosis as an opportunity to take stock and sort out what it is I want out of my life; it showed me how far I’ve come but also helped light the way for the journey I still face. I shed many tears and I laughed out loud, sometimes both at once!

These are all beautiful stories, thoughtfully written by strong women who don’t want us to feel alone. I just want to say thank you to each and every one of them.

Shannon:- The faces of POF was exactly what I needed when my mind was spinning in circles about my new diagnosis, but didn't have any one to talk to... it was also great when I was flying for work and the time on the plane was torture until I picked up the book... There was one story that could have been written by me, and some with angles I never considered. All in all, a useful, easy to read book.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Menopause Before 40 – Karin Banerd

On the back cover...

Karin Banerd adds an important voice to menopause literature, addressing the distinct needs of the woman in premature menopause, as they are quite different from those of natural menopause.

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Early Menopause, Why Me? – Dr Sheralyn McGuinness

On the back cover...

This book explains the changes, causes, consequences and care of early menopause. This is a simple book with a clear message.

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Strong Women, Strong Bones – Miriam E Nelson PhD

On the back cover...

An authoritative new book explaining everything you need to know to prevent, treat and beat osteoporosis.

Reviews

Nicole:- Written for an Australasian audience it fully covers the anatomy of bone, how to assess your risk of osteoporosis and offers good nutrition and exercise advice.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Mommies, Daddies, Donors, Surrogates – Diane Ehrensaft PhD

On the back cover...

Dr Diane Ehrensaft – a developmental and clinical psychologist who’s worked with families formed using assisted reproductive technology for more than twenty years – helps you anticipate the big questions and find solutions that are right for you and your loved ones.

Reviews

Nicole:- Excellent practical advice. It really helped me get my head around the complexities of egg donation to create a family. It is an American publication and some of the references don’t apply here, but the issues are universal and addressed with a lot of care.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation – Ellen Sarasohn Glazer & Evelina Weidman Sterling

On the back cover...

Every aspect of egg donation is covered with clarity and precision with illustrative vignettes highlighting true to life situations associated with donor egg use.

Reviews:

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Taking Charge of Your Infertility – “Melbourne IVF” Counsellors

On the back cover...

This book explores commonly experienced emotions and reactions to fertility problems and suggests ways to make this difficult time easier to manage. The book also discusses issues which may be raised, such as using donors, genetics, adoption, stopping treatment and dealing with loss.

Reviews

Nicole:- Very useful tips for navigating the minefield of emotions surrounding infertility.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Hormone Replacement, The Real Truth – Dr Sandra Cabot

On the back cover...

Dr Cabot takes away the fear and confusion about hormone replacement that is gripping women all over the world. A must read for women of all ages.

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Natural Hormone Balance for Women – Dr Uzzi Reiss

On the back cover...

This is Dr Reiss’ breakthrough, step-by-step programme for women to take control of their lives by restoring hormonal balance (using “natural” hormones).

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Could it be the Perimenopause? – Dr S. Goldstein & L. Ashner

On the back cover...

How women 35–50 can overcome forgetfulness, mood swings, insomnia, weight gain, sexual dysfunction and other telltale signs of hormonal imbalance.

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

The Infertility Cure: The ancient Chinese wellness program for getting pregnant and having healthy babies – Randine Lewis, PhD

On the back cover...

This is a groundbreaking alternative approach to treating infertility using traditional Chinese medicine – on its own or to optimise the latest Western-based reproductive technology.

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Inconceivable – Julia Indichova

On the back cover...

In a narrative filled with humour, heartache, and hope, Julia Indichova fearlessly documents her allegedly impossible mission to conceive a child.

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Other Recommended Books

Premature Menopause, A Multidisciplinary Approach – Dani Singer & Myra Hunter

On the back cover...

Premature menopause can have profound implications both for the woman herself and her partner and family. She is faced with physical and emotional concerns that are usually not considered until much later in life. The editors bring together experts from a range of disciplines ... as well as hearing from women themselves. Through its multidisciplinary approach the book offers up-to-date information on the topic, as well as practical suggestions for improved health care.

Reviews

Currently no reviews.

To share your review of this book, please email.

Reclaiming Desire: 4 keys to finding your lost libido – Andrew Goldstein & Marianne Brandon

On the back cover...

A woman’s sexuality is vital to her self-image and self-esteem. Reclaiming Desire is the only book to address low libido by considering the whole woman – her physical health, her emotional resilience, her intellectual fulfilment, and her spiritual beliefs. At last women can get a complete, accurate picture of their sexuality ... determine what could be sabotaging their sex drives – and what will help bring it back.

Reviews

Nicole:– I will borrow this book from the library again as I didn’t get through it the first time. It challenged me as it touched a few raw nerves and addressed some real issues I’ve been struggling with. I don’t think it’s designed to fix the ‘problem’ on the spot as it’s an issue that only time and some TLC can heal. But I think the principles described here are valid: there is no quick-fix for difficulties in this area of your life and the authors’ holistic approach certainly appealed to me.

To share your review of this book, please email.