The New Hot by Meg Matthews: Menopause Book Review
After the realisation last year that I’m in perimenopause, with menopause on the rapidly approaching horizon, I took it upon myself to do some research into the subject. As I’m only in my early 40s I wasn’t expecting to have to deal with anything menopause-related for some years yet, with medical authorities continuing to insist that symptoms only begin around the age of 50. I have talked at length about how difficult it was to be believed by my doctor last year, the struggle to get HRT and how upsetting, restrictive and disruptive the symptoms are, in my perimenopause blog post. As part of my ongoing research, I purchased the book I’m reviewing here today: The New Hot by Meg Matthews – Taking on the Menopause With Attitude and Style.
The New Hot is available from Lovehoney, also from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. The RRP is £16.99.
To begin with, I want to say how amazed I am with the amount of information contained in a deceivingly small cover-size book. The New Hot is absolutely packed with menopause-related info and advice, covering areas that I hadn’t even considered to be affected by this time of life. Despite the smallish cover size of this book (14.7cm x 20.2cm), there are over 260 pages full of information, advice, personal anecdotes and fascinating, well-written essays by medical professionals and specialists.
At the end of the book there are a few reference areas too, such as ‘Meg’s Meno Dictionary’ providing helpful definitions of terms in the book, the ‘Who’s Who’ listing details of all the professional and medical guest contributors and where you can find out more/how to contact them, plus a general index and a symptom index to finish. Talk about comprehensive!
Topics Covered
So, what exactly is covered in The New Hot by Meg Matthews?
- What menopause is, when it happens and what you can expect (or confirmation of what you’re already going through)
- Symptom checker: are you perimenopausal or not?
- How sex may change for you, and how to manage those changes
- The importance of vaginal health, including cervical smear tests
- Skin changes, with beauty and style tips
- The big ‘should I take HRT or not?’ debate
- When & how to ask your GP for help and medication
- Tips & advice for a fully natural menopause
- Diet and nutrition tips
- The importance of exercise (& how you may need to adapt your workouts)
- Finding people to talk to, to help you through this challenging time
- Journaling your thoughts & experience to help cope with menopausal physical & life changes
- What NOT to say to menopausal women
- Handling the menopause at work
- Physical and psychological effects of the change to your fertility
- The male menopause (aka ‘manopause’)
- The menopause for trans men (with a guest feature journaling the personal experience of a trans man)
- Post-menopause: optimism with regards your future
As you can see, there is an absolute wealth of menopause information plus advice about related issues in this excellent reference book. As well as medical information and intimate health recommendations, there are personal anecdotes and experiences from author Meg throughout the book. This helps to raise the tone from a dull tome of facts and cold information, to a warm and friendly, relatable read.
Because of the sheer amount of information and advice given in The New Hot by Meg Matthews, I couldn’t read it all in one sitting. For me, it isn’t the sort of book that I’d sit and read cover-to-cover anyway. It’s more of a dip-in-and-out book, when I’m looking for specific information on a menopause-related topic, or fancy expanding my knowledge on the subject for an hour or two, or simply want to read the friendly, supportive words of someone else who has been through it all.
Is It Worth Buying?
In my opinion, for those who are either approaching perimenopause, in peri/actual menopause, or just want to read up on the subject, The New Hot is a fantastic addition to your library. It’s extremely affordable too, with a recommended price of just £16.99 (& often less on Amazon or via other book retailers). I certainly have no qualms about recommending this book to anyone interested in or personally affected by menopause.
Just one mark off top score as I found some typos, plus I feel the sex toy information was extremely basic – although I’m biased on that subject of course!
Hard Copy or E-book?
The New Hot by Meg Matthews is available in both hard copy and e-book format. I have the hard copy but I also bought it in digital form, via Google Play Books on my Android phone.
Although the e-book is handy as I can access it on my device wherever I am, there’s just something about flicking through an actual hard copy book – particularly when you’re reading not just for pleasure, but for personally pertinent research. Having the actual book in my hands means I’m less likely to be distracted by the internet and all its allure, plus I can easily check the Contents page and flip to whichever chapter I’d like to read about at any particular moment.
So, when debating whether to buy the hard copy or digital format, I’d say it depends on your reading preferences. Think about how you best absorb information, and whether you’d prefer this to be a physical reference book on your shelves, or an advice book you can quickly access through your mobile device whenever and wherever you are.
Coming Soon: Menopausing by Davina McCall book review (Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk)
Testimonials
A brilliant manual that I urge every woman – of every age – to read ― Jo Elvin, editor of YOU MAGAZINE
Brutally honest, eye-wateringly detailed, funny, informative and crammed with practical advice… compelling, essential reading ― YOU MAGAZINE
The New Hot is a sassy, accurate, and enormously helpful romp through the midlife transition known as menopause. I highly recommend it to all women who want to embrace all the possibilities offered by this change, including vibrant health, a sense of humor, a renewed sense of purpose, and the best sex of your life. ― Christiane Northrup, MD, author of The Wisdom of Menopause
Buy Your Copy Today
If you’d like to add The New Hot by Meg Matthews to your physical or digital library, buy your copy today through the following links:
Lovehoney | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk| Google Play Books
This review contains affiliate links
