This memoir chronicles the unique ordeals of identical twin sisters Diana and Julia Lockwood. Even among twins, Diana and Julia were especially close and deeply entwined- they were more than just sisters or best friends, they were like one soul in two bodies. While their total attunement sometimes saved them in funny and unexpected ways, it also eventually destroyed them. A survivor of sexual assault and anorexia and living with Asperger's, the author tells her own life story and weaves Julia's letters and journal entries into the text. While Diana survived the struggles that led her to three suicide attempts, her twin unfortunately took her own life only a year after their father did the same. This book explores the life and relationship of twins separated by tragedy and follows a woman's struggle to make it on her own.

"Taking Our Pulse" is a book about women's health: what it is, why it is the way it is, and what needs to be done to improve it. It differs from many other books about the health of women by: integrating up-to-date medical research with practical information for use in daily lives; offering a way of looking at health issues affecting women that accentuates their living better rather than just longer; emphasizing a developmental approach by examining health issues at different stages of the life cycle; and using a lucid, almost conversational, style of presentation that makes complex medical conditions and procedures readily intelligible to lay readers. Furthermore, it is written by a woman who is a physician, an educator of future physicians, a medical researcher, and a student of feminism.
Because the field of medicine has been traditionally dominated and controlled by men, male constructs have largely defined the causes and remedies of women's health problems. A host of myths has accumulated about women's health--the beliefs that most women's health problems are related to their reproductive function and that women tend to have more emotional diseases than physical ones. Even today, such simplistic and medically unsound views persist and are reflected in the amount of insufficient research conducted on the specific health needs of women. One of the major aims of this book is to expose these myths, in the process re-educating not only physicians but women themselves, who have been socialized to accept them unquestioningly.
After four chapters that deal with life-span differences in women's health (childhood and adolescence, early adulthood, the perimenopausal years, and the older years), the book considers the following topics: sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and its prevention, mental health, substance abuse, violence (including sexual and child abuse, rape, domestic violence, and elder abuse), nutrition, medical care, women as doctors, and choosing the right physician.

According to the popular press in the mid twentieth century, American women, in a misguided attempt to act like men in work and leisure, were drinking more. "Lady Lushes" were becoming a widespread social phenomenon. From the glamorous hard-drinking flapper of the 1920s to the disgraced and alcoholic wife and mother played by Lee Remick in the 1962 film "Days of Wine and Roses," alcohol consumption by American women has been seen as both a prerogative and as a threat to health, happiness, and the social order. In Lady Lushes, medical historian Michelle L. McClellan traces the story of the female alcoholic from the late-nineteenth through the twentieth century. She draws on a range of sources to demonstrate the persistence of the belief that alcohol use is antithetical to an idealized feminine role, particularly one that glorifies motherhood. Lady Lushes offers a fresh perspective on the importance of gender role ideology in the formation of medical knowledge and authority.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women worldwide. Yet most people are still unaware that heart disease is not just a man's problem. Carolyn Thomas, a heart attack survivor herself, is on a mission to educate women about their heart health. Based on her popular Heart Sisters blog, which has attracted more than 10 million views from readers in 190 countries, A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease combines personal experience and medical knowledge to help women learn how to understand and manage a catastrophic diagnosis. In A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease, Thomas explains * how to recognize the early signs of a heart attack* why women often delay seeking treatment-and how to overcome that impulse* the link between pregnancy complications and future heart disease* why so many women with heart disease are misdiagnosed-and how to help yourself get an accurate diagnosis* the importance of cardiac rehabilitation in lowering mortality risk* what to expect during your recovery from a heart attack* how the surreal process of coping with heart disease may affect your daily life* methods for treating heart disease-related depression without drugs Equal parts memoir about a misdiagnosed heart attack, guide to the predictable stages of heart disease-from grief to resilience-and patient-friendly translation of important science-based findings on women's unique heart issues, this book is an essential read. Whether you're a freshly diagnosed patient, a woman who's been living with heart disease for years, or a practitioner who cares about women's health, A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease will help you feel less alone and advocate for better health care.

'The one-woman backbone of menopause care in Ireland' IRISH INDEPENDENT Suddenly feeling hot? Tired? Irritable? Not yourself? Having our bodies and minds change rapidly as we approach mid-life can be bewildering and even upsetting. It may be hard to get a handle on what's happening and what we can do about it. The Menopause is the handbook of everything you need to know from Ireland's leading menopause expert, Dr Deirdre Lundy. Drawing on decades of experience and on the most up-to-date research Dr Lundy . . . -Explains what's going on in your body - the key hormones that run your life, how they are changing and the impact of that -Helps you figure out where you are on the menopause spectrum and empowers you to have informed conversations with your doctor -Sets out approaches to dealing with symptoms - from nutrition, exercise, counselling and medication, to using hormone replacement therapies (HRT) -Explores every aspect of HRT - debunking the myths and explaining why it is helpful for many women -Addresses key areas of concern - from early onset menopause, to preserving vaginal, heart, breast and bone health, to managing your menopause if you have pre-existing health challenges Dr Lundy came to public prominence during a remarkable ten-day discussion of the menopause on RTE Radio 1's Liveline. Now, as leader of Ireland's first dedicated menopause clinic, she continues her passionate advocacy for Irish women. The Menopause is her essential guide to having the best menopause you can and being as healthy and energized as possible in your middle years and beyond. ________ 'Superb - essential reading for women and doctors alike' Dr Ciara Kelly 'Essential, empowering and enjoyable - life-changing and potentially life-saving!' Sallyanne Brady, theirishmenopause.com

Skin care is one of the fastest-growing retail segments in the United States. But despite how much money Americans spend on products designed to tighten wrinkles, close pores, and increase hydration, there's little advice about how to figure out which one of a million eye creams will suit your skin and solve your particular skin health concerns. Enter Rio Viera-Newton, the beauty-obsessed best friend whose advice drives thousands of readers to New York magazine every week. Despite her popularity and trust, she's not an MD or an esthetician, but a devoted amateur who organically rose to fame when her detailed Google Doc outlining the products that worked--or didn't--on her journey to heal her acne went viral. LET'S FACE IT is a compendium of super-simple principles for healthy skin, helping readers move beyond branding or the recommendations of influencers to discover the remedies that will solve their skin concerns--and to find them in products at any price point. With concrete steps to walk readers through the process of adding products to their routine, evaluating the results, and developing the routine that best works for them, LET'S FACE IT is the only book the skin-care-obsessed reader really needs--and it's the perfect gift for the beauty fanatic in your life.

* For 20 years the Loose Women panellists have been entertaining the nation with their forthright opinions on the vagaries of modern life. For the first time, they have come together to share intimate thoughts, fears, memories and anecdotes that are both thought-provoking and entertaining in equal measure. Loose Women: Let Loose! takes on the essential subjects of Love, Sex, Self-Esteem, Friendships, Family, Body Image and Wellness. Whether it is parenting advice from Nadia ('It's important to have a support network when you're a new parent'); Gloria's experience with bereavement ('Losing a child changes you, you can't be the same person'); Coleen's feelings about love ('I do believe there is "the one" - for now'); or Janet's take on mental health ('It doesn't need to be triggered by splitting up or a death, it could be happening in small ways'), there are stories that have never been shared before alongside the show's best bits, making Loose Women: Let Loose! a hilarious and honest guide to handling life's ups and downs as a 21st-century woman.

This is an incredibly inspiring exploration of the sea's role in the wellness of people and the planet, beautifully written by Easkey Britton - surfer, scientist and social activist. She offers a powerful female perspective on the sea and surfing, explaining what it's like to be a woman in a man's world and how she promoted the sport to women in Iran, surfing while wearing a hijab. She speaks of the undiscussed taboo around entering the water while menstruating - and of how she has come to celebrate her own bodily cycles. She has developed her own approach to surfing, which instead of seeking to dominate the waves, works in tune with the natural cycles of her body, the moon and the seasons. In a society that rewards busyness, she believes that understanding the influence of cycles becomes even more important - and we all have them, men and women. For Easkey, the sea is a source of mental and physical wellbeing. She explores the mental toughness needed in big-wave surfing, and presents surfing as an embodied mindfulness practice in which we can find flow and connect with the movement of the waves. She stresses the need to recognize the ocean as our most powerful ally when addressing our greatest global challenge: the climate crisis. Above all, Easkey's relationship to the sea has taught her about the need to meet life and evolve with it, rather than seeking to control it. By such wisdom our planet might just survive and thrive.

For herbalists at all levels, this book presents recent insights into the hormonal basis of gynaecological problems in order to enable practitioners to devise effective treatment plans and explain them clearly to their patients. Female hormones are comprehensively explained - from the metabolism and role of oestrogen in health and disease to the role of progesterone and herbal influences on its production. General principles of herbal treatment are based on the interaction of the digestive, circulatory, endocrine, and nervous systems to support health and recovery from disease. These principles are applied to treatment and case management of gynaecological problems, with detailed examinations of PMS and menopause. Specific herbs used in gynaecological treatment are categorised by their constituents and actions.

"Endometriosis" is not a common word. Some people associate it with difficult patients, pain during sex, and infertility. Others link it to stigma, grief, and not being believed by their doctors. Healers and Patients Talk provides insight into interactions between patients and health professionals in the clinical setting. The author examines the varied and contested enactments of endometriosis, the multiple ways in which people understand and use the term 'endometriosis', and the complex pathway to the diagnosis. Endometriosis is a label historically bestowed on white, heterosexual, cisgendered career women, but the author offers ideas about how such exclusionary practices developed over time. This is an important ethnography of endometriosis which discusses new concepts, such as the author's theoretical contribution of the 'a-diagnostic' category. Women living with endometriosis occupy this space and slip in and out of it, struggling to receive a diagnosis and treatment. This conceptual category may well apply to other chronic conditions that affect women. The author makes a significant contribution to scholarly understandings of endometriosis. The book considers recommendations for improving the care of endometriosis patients, shortening the time to diagnosis, and improving interactions between patients and care-givers.

A trailblazing guide to menopause, filled with nourishing wisdom and practical advice to help you harness the transformative power of the menopause and thrive in your life. It's time to redefine menopause. This pivotal time of life is often mistakenly viewed as a health crisis that is 'suffered from' or 'coped with', and misinformation and myths around menopause can leave you feeling ignored and misunderstood. Wise Power is the radical new story of menopause - illuminating its power and potential. Pioneers of the menstruality revolution and the founders of Red School, Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer explain how to embrace menopause as a sacred rite of passage, an initiation that grows your authority, steeps you in purpose and awakens you to great power and wisdom. They show you how to: * prepare for menopause through each life stage, from menarche to your final menstrual cycles * make sense of what you're experiencing during perimenopause * recognize and accept when you enter menopause, and trust that a meaningful process is at work * navigate the five phases of menopause and receive their unique gifts * embrace the rhythms of your postmenopause life, unlock your true potential and step onto your path of power and leadership Written with humour, fierce tenderness and practicality, Wise Power restores the dignity of menopause, guiding you home to yourself - to a sense of belonging.

Focusing on women's pelvic health through yoga therapy, this evidence-based resource covers the intersections of biomechanics, self-study through yoga philosophy, emotional resilience, pain science and dynamic strategies for pelvic embodiment. Integrating pedagogical frameworks that differentiate yoga therapy from pelvic floor physical therapy, the book demonstrates how they can work together by including somatic education and case studies. It also covers breath patterns, mental constructs and conditioning, and baseline body awareness - taking the practitioner through the journey of self-assessment, building the therapeutic relationship and ongoing embodied practice. Looking at the individual rather than pelvic health as a sole diagnosis, Yoga Therapy for the Whole Woman is an invaluable guide for yoga teachers, yoga therapists, movement and fitness professionals and healthcare professionals working with women with pelvic floor challenges.

She couldn't believe it. There she was with her medical qualifications sitting on the floor of a mental hospital. She'd offered her life to God, wanted to serve him anywhere, but no, surely not this... Sharon Hastings is absolutely passionate about helping anyone who suffers from 'severe and enduring mental illness' (SEMI): schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. She wants the church to know all about these illnesses: how they devastate ordinary people and how they need to be treated. By telling her story, warts and all, showing her own tortuous, painful journey, she equips us to come alongside loved ones, fellow church members, friends and neighbours, understanding the social and spiritual ramifications of their illnesses, including them in our activities (where appropriate) and encouraging their spiritual growth. A natural storyteller, the author draws us in. We journey with her. With wisdom, kindness and the heart of a bruised survivor, she interweaves her exceptional story with vital teaching which simply cannot be ignored by anyone within the church today.

Growing up as a fat girl, Virgie Tovar believed that her body was something to be fixed. But after two decades of dieting and constant guilt, she was over it―and gave herself the freedom to trust her own body again. Ever since, she’s been helping others to do the same. Tovar is hungry for a world where bodies are valued equally, food is free from moral judgment, and you can jiggle through life with respect. In concise and candid language, she delves into unlearning fatphobia, dismantling sexist notions of fashion, and how to reject diet culture’s greatest lie: that fat people need to wait before beginning their best lives.

The author set out to explore a phenomenon she had observed amongst a cohort of women living with chronic "invisible", or contested, illnesses. These women appeared to possess a high degree of altruism, ecological awareness, compassion, and a particular quality of empathic presence. What she didn't expect to find in their narratives were the accounts of harrowing trauma they endured in the medical battleground of contested illnesses. They described the humiliating effects of being dismissed as reliable witnesses to what was happening in their own bodies, and the sequence of adverse consequences for their health and dignity which occurred as a fallout of not being believed by the medical establishment. The illnesses featured here include ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Electromagnetic Sensitivity, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and Lyme disease. A blend of qualitative methods emerging from the fields of transpersonal theory and contemplative psychology was applied to explore the narratives of ten women, including the author, who experienced awakenings to deeper levels of consciousness and wisdom during their prolonged illnesses. The book presents a unique seven-stage model of spiritual awaking amongst women with contested illnesses which bears relevance for people faced with any kind of life-altering condition.

Many women are at a loss when it comes tocharting their best coursethrough menopause--butyou don't have to be

Connecting recent scientific evidence among hormones, sexuality, bone and cardiovascular health, memory, surgery, and breast cancer, Dr. Cutler explains how valuable good HRT regimens are to your longevity and general health and how to improve your vitality with diet, exercise, and hormonal and alternative therapies that work.

""Excellent job reviewing the many issues relating to perimenopause and menopause. . . . Your chapter on fibroids will be very valuable to consumers. The text is easy to follow, the illustrations are beautifully clear, and the references are excellent.""
--John J. Sciarra, M.D., Ph.D., past president, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

""What impressed me most were the passionate commitment to rigorously conducted research and the clarity with which the results were presented so any intelligent woman can understand them.""
--Regula Burki, M.D., FACOG, gynecological surgeon and menopause specialist

""Dr. Cutler dispassionately reviews and synthesizes the available literature to craft scientifically sound recommendations that can be used to optimize the quality of women's health.""
--Elizabeth Genovese, M.D., FACOEM, FAADEP

""A welcome reference for my patients and others interested in women's health. Readable, informative, and concise. Long overdue.""
--Millicent Zacher, D.O., FACOG, Thomas Jefferson University