Do diaphragms work? Should you stay on the pill? What does fertility awareness really mean? The efficacy and risks of different birth control options are dramatically different today from what they once were thanks to scientific advances and increased awareness of STDs and other factors. In the most comprehensive book on birth control since the 1970s, women's health activist Laura Eldridge discusses the history, scientific advances, and practical uses of everything from condoms to the male pill to Plan B.

Eldridge presents her meticulous research and unbiased consideration of our options in the intimate and honest tone of a close friend. Eldridge goes on to explore large-scale issues that might factor into women's birth control choices, urging her readers to consider the environmental impacts of each method and to take part in a dialogue on how international reproductive health issues affect us all.

Whether you're looking for your first birth control method or want to know more about your current contraceptive choice, A Field Guide to Birth Control offers the cutting-edge information and practical wisdom you'll need to make empowered decisions about your sexual health.

Laura Eldridge is a women's health writer and activist living in Brooklyn, New York. Her latest books are The No-Nonsense Guide to Menopause and Body Politic, with Barbara Seaman.

Runners' vocabulary is full of acronyms like DNS for "Did Not Start" and DNF for "Did Not Finish," but when Mirna Valerio stepped up to the starting line, she needed a new one: DNQ for "Did Not Quit." Valerio has tied on her running shoes all across the country, from the dusty back roads of central New Jersey to the busy Route 222 corridor in Pennsylvania to the sweltering deserts of Arizona. When you meet her on the trail, you might be surprised to see she doesn't quite fit the typical image of a long-distance runner. She's neither skinny nor white, and she's here to show just how misguided these stereotypes can be. In this prejudice-busting, body-positive memoir told with raw honesty, an adventurous spirit, and a sharp sense of humor, Valerio takes readers along on her journey from first-time racer to ultramarathoner and proves that anyone can become a successful athlete.

A life-changing guide to reclaiming your relationship with your body and yourself Have you ever thought that if only you could change the way you looked, your life would be better? It's so easy to imagine that by changing the outside of our bodies, we'd feel better on the inside. But we all know that even if we could magically attain a so-called 'perfect' body, our problems wouldn't actually be solved. That's because body image issues are never just about the body: they're always about something deeper inside. As a longtime personal trainer and coach, Jessi Kneeland has seen hundreds of clients achieve their fitness goals but still feel trapped in a web of body hatred, anxiety, obsession and dysmorphia. Searching for a solution, Kneeland set out on a quest to discover what it truly takes to help people understand, process and heal their body image issues for good. They share their discoveries in Body Neutral, where you'll learn: * The power of 'body neutrality' - the ability to accept and respect your body, even if it isn't the way you'd prefer it to be. * Which of the four 'body image avatars' - each of which represents a different root cause for body image issues - aligns with you and your relationship with your body: the self-objectifier, the high achiever, the outsider or the runner. * Actionable and unique methods to help you strip away the layers of false meaning, excess power, moral significance and shame that has been preventing you from both connecting to and appreciating your body and feeling truly worthy as a person. There is a reason you're unhappy with your body, and Body Neutral will help you discover what that reason is and how to defuse its power, freeing you to enjoy a life of true confidence, security and satisfaction.

Explore the impact diet and lifestyle can have on fertility, and boost your chances of conception with over 60 delicious recipes. While some people looking to conceive can become pregnant quickly, this is not the case for all. In fact, just over 15 per cent of people trying for a baby will take longer than a year trying to conceive - a statistic that immediately puts them into a bracket labelled "infertile". In the UK, fertility problems affect 1 in 7 heterosexual couples and in around 40 per cent of those cases it's a fertility issue for both partners. While there can be a variety of reasons for this, there are lifestyle choices - predominantly dietary - that people can make that increase the chance of conception. Ro Huntriss breaks down the science behind the effect nutrition can have on fertility. Split into two halves, the first chapter offers the science and research behind the dietary choices being advocated, while the second chapter includes over 60 inspiring recipes to help readers achieve the health benefits. With the right diet and lifestyle the age of fertility can be optimized, while also having a positive impact on new mothers healthily coming to term. This fertility cookbook aims to: - Take readers through the lifestyle choices that can impact fertility whilst also looking at lifestyle changes that could optimise the age couples remain fertile for. -Introduce readers to alternative routes to fertility (such as IVF), taking couples experiencing reduced fertility into account. - Aid both men and women, debunking long-held myths that problems with fertility are attributable to women. -Offer 60 recipes (50 photographed; 10 unphotographed) to provide pragmatic solutions to the scientific advice. Based on scientific research, this is an inclusive nutritional guide, for all couples, whether they are starting their journey to conception, are experiencing reduced fertility caused by conditions such as low sperm production or polycystic ovary syndrome, or are looking at alternative routes to fertility, such as IVF.

An authoritative guide to understanding and navigating the hormonal changes and health issues women experience in midlife and beyond, from one of the leading medical experts in the field. The physical changes that occur after women turn forty are unavoidable-and can be unnerving. Menopause affects every aspect of life-from sex and sleep to mood and mental clarity to weight and body temperature. While there are a number of resources available, many are confusing and contradictory. Now, Manhattan gynecologist Dr. Tara Allmen, an experienced, nationally board-certified menopause practitioner and the recipient of the 2015 Doctor's Choice National Award for Obstetrics & Gynecology, shares her knowledge to help women be their happiest and healthiest, and turn this challenging time into an exciting one. Written in her effervescent yet assured voice, Menopause Confidential provides simple strategies and cutting-edge information on: * hormonal changes and the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause;* the health risks associated with midlife-from cutting through the conflicting opinions and advice about health screenings (Do I really need a colonoscopy? How often should I get a mammogram?) to common medical conditions, such as osteoporosis;* various remedies, both allopathic and natural, to combat symptoms and empower women to make the best choices for their individual needs;* practical tips and resources for mitigating the effects of menopause. Fifty-one-year-old Dr. Allmen knows firsthand what women are going through, and shares stories of her own personal travails and solutions. Women can't turn back the clock, but they can take control of their health and flourish in midlife. Menopause Confidential encourages them to be informed, be proactive, and be their greatest selves.

The Woman's Herbal Apothecary is every woman's lifelong guide to herbal remedies for common health concerns. Novice herbalists and advanced practitioner's alike will learn how to naturally treat the complete spectrum of women's concerns, including preventative self-care, life transitions, and common feminine ailments. Learn how to prevent, soothe, and heal without resorting to medical remedies, which are often harsh, costly, and include unpleasant side effects. The Woman's Herbal Apothecary contains 200 natural remedies, covering the topics of menses, pregnancy, menopause, aging, fibroids, bladder infections, and low libido, among others. The book is conveniently divided into the major cycles of a woman's life: pre-childbirth, reproductive years, menopause, and beyond. Each section discusses specific physical complaints and how to treat them. You will learn which herbs are the most helpful for each phase of life and which are contraindicated or to be avoided. Master herbalist and naturopathic doctor JJ Pursell provides her own herbal solutions and DIY herbal remedies. The concluding section is divided by specific common health issues in women, such as cardiac disease, thyroid disease, and adrenal dysfunction. With The Woman's Herbal Apothecary in hand, you are on your way to healing, hormone balance, beauty, longevity, and calm-the natural way.

From a renowned nutritionist and author of the bestselling Fat Flush Plan comes a revised and updated edition of the popular alternative guide for taking charge of your perimenopause, filled with up-to-date research, including the latest information on Hormone Replacement Therapy, mood swings, weight gain, and nutrition for women thirty-five and older. Before the Change offers a gentle, proven, incremental program for understanding your body's changes and controlling your symptoms during perimenopause-the period of about ten years leading up to menopause-to help you feel great through this vital phase of life. Inside you'll find: * A clear explanation of the symptoms of perimenopause and a self-diagnosis quiz;* Safe and natural alternatives to hormone therapy, including healing vitamins, minerals, herbs, and natural hormones;* A guide to nutrition and healthy diet, with tips for foods that prevent and alleviate symptoms. In addition, this revised and updated edition includes: * An expanded section on the pros and cons of soy as a natural phytoestrogen;* An expanded discussion of hypothyroidism, its connection to hormonal imbalances, and the best natural treatments;* A full analysis of HRT, including advice for safely weaning yourself off of synthetic hormones, and an overview of herbal, lifestyle, and diet options and modifications available for women who have had a hysterectomy, have risk factors or a history of breast cancer, osteoporosis, or heart disease. With this essential do-it-yourself program, say good-bye to hormone havoc simply, safely, and naturally!

If you're reading this, chances are you are planning (or have already begun) to breastfeed. Why do you need this book? First, you'll find tips and insights that can simplify your life and make the process less confusing. Second, despite the glut of information available, without some inside knowledge, you're unlikely to meet your breastfeeding goals. I chose this book's content to help you avoid the experience of most women. A 2012 study found that two thirds of American mothers who wanted to exclusively breastfeed for three months didn't (Perrine, Scanlon, Li, Odom, & Grummer-Strawn, 2012). Employed mothers-especially those working full time-are even less likely to reach their breastfeeding targets than other mothers (Ogbuanu, Glover, Probst, Hussey, & Liu, 2011). In every developed country around the world, breastfeeding rates drop quickly after birth. Even in areas where new mothers receive many months of paid maternity leave, such as the U.K., breastfeeding rates plummet during the early weeks. But before I say more about the challenges and how this book can help you avoid and overcome them, I'd like to share with you the latest on why breastfeeding matters so much to you and your baby. Table of Contents Intro Breast Pump Choice and Fit Pumping and Milk Expression Hand Expressing Milk Milk Storage and Handling Feeding Your Baby with Bottles and Cups Resources References Excerpts are taking from the book Working and Breastfeeding Made Simple. There are a total of 4 WBMS Mini's in this series.

In this expanded and updated book, Kathleen Nadeau, Ellen Littman, and Patricia Quinn rise to the occasion and deliver a comprehensive, up-to-date, and readable book that illuminates the complexity of ADHD in girls and women, both across the lifespan and across multiple domains of life (e.g., home, school, the workplace, close relationships). Blending clinical examples, case material, and a masterful synthesis of research findings around the world, the authors reveal the roots of ADHD in females during the preschool years, also summarizing relevant causal factors, and display the highly individualized journeys through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood that these girls and women face.

The book's latter chapters make use of the information on ADHD and development and provide a synthesis of the kinds of treatment strategies needed to intervene with the complex issues faced by girls and families who struggle with ADHD. The authors' working through the executive functioning deficits experienced by so many girls with ADHD―and their deployment of vivid examples of right vs. wrong ways of approaching such problems―will be of great importance for large numbers of families. Even more, the authors emphasize that ADHD rarely exists in a vacuum and that understanding and treating co-morbid disorders is essential.

Understanding Girls with ADHD does not shy away from key areas of controversy. How, for example, can a family know whether it's ADHD or another set of problems that's the primary issue? How does one deal with the potential use of medication, which is plagued by bad press and abundant myths but which can, as part of a multi-faceted treatment plan, provide great benefit if the right dose is found and if the doctor works with the family to monitor positive effects and side effects carefully? What about longterm risk for eating pathology, substance abuse, and other difficult areas of impairment of salience for girls? How can girls and their families break through the thicket of negative expectations and sometimes-toxic family interactions to pave the way for a different set of outcomes?

Clearly, ADHD does not look the same across different individuals, especially girls. Understanding Girls with ADHD emphasizes the multiple ways in which ADHD can manifest itself across different people, families, and ages.

Always sensitive, and without hesitation in providing an authoritative tone, this book will empower girls and their families in ways that are sorely needed. Its emphasis on gender-specific manifestations of ADHD and its inclusion of practical means of attacking the executive-function deficits that plague girls and women with ADHD will ensure its continued status as core guidebook.

Written with compassion and sensitivity, and full of the clinical wisdom that accompanies years of experience on the front lines, Understanding Girls with ADHD is the go-to book for those needing guidance, support, and knowledge about female manifestations of ADHD.

Like many women of the baby-boom generation, Alice Wilson-Fried found the specter of menopause looming over her as a sinister figure, come to take her womanhood, her mind, her energy, and her enthusiasm for life. Surrounded by popular representations of aging as a devastating illness to be fought against with all one's strength, and seeing in medical literature the hormonal changes of menopause likened to a mental illness, she withered in despair. And then a miraculous power seized her: Tennis. . . and the friendship and support of the women with whom she played. She'd never played tennis--much less any sport--but in the latter half of her life, the struggle to learn tennis became, in part, a quest to face the challenges of menopause and aging head-on, with determination, grit, and grace. In Menopause, Sisterhood, and Tennis, Wilson-Fried offers the powerful story of one woman's tangled journey through menopause. Based upon her own experience, and steeped in the rich Southern humor of her mother and grandmother, this guide to surviving "The Change" unveils the mystery of menopause, laying bare the physiological, psychological, and emotional transformations menopause brings to women's lives. In giving the story of her own experience and research, Wilson-Fried offers to women everywhere a laywoman's guide to the medical understanding of menopause, offering personal "epiphanies" about why diet, exercise, mental activity, and good humor are necessary for good health during menopause--and even more important, encouragement, motivation, and advice for women who despair of ever being able to implement these strategies into daily life.

A ground-breaking and deeply moving report from the front lines of the battle to protect a woman's right to abortion.

On Friday 24 June 2022, women's rights suffered an extraordinary and unprecedented blow. Five US Supreme Court justices made a decision that will impact millions of lives for years to come. In this gripping blend of reportage and history, journalist Becca Andrews tells the story how we have arrived at this devastating turning point.

NO CHOICE introduces the origin of abortion and its practice in global cultures, before focusing its gaze on the battle that has been waged for the past century across America, shining a light on the eerie ways in which life before Roe will be mirrored in life after. The wealthy and privileged will still have access, low-income people will suffer disproportionately, and pregnancy will be heavily policed.

Taking us to the frontlines - to clinics, courtrooms, local communities, charities - Andrews tells the deeply moving stories of those who have had abortions, and those who have fought - and are fighting - for the right to abortion. There is a glimmer of faint hope, though. As the battle moves to state legislatures around the country, the book profiles the people who are doing ground-breaking, inspiring work to ensure safe, legal access to this fundamental part of healthcare.

Winner of the 2021 BPS Popular Science Book Award 'Read this incredible book. I wept and I learnt' - Prof Tanya Byron 'This book comes from the heart' - Roman Kemp 'Compassionate, personal and thought-provoking' - Prof Steve Peters When you are faced with the unthinkable, this is the book you can turn to. Suicide is baffling and devastating in equal measures, and it can affect any one of us: one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds. Yet despite the scale of the devastation, for family members and friends, suicide is still poorly understood. Drawing on decades of work in the field of suicide prevention and research, and having been bereaved by suicide twice, Professor O'Connor is here to help. This book will untangle the complex reasons behind suicide and dispel any unhelpful myths. For those trying to help someone vulnerable, it will provide indispensable advice on communication, stressing the importance of listening to fears and anxieties without judgment. And for those who are struggling to get through the tragedy of suicide, it will help you find strength in the darkest of places.

You don't have to be alone. Share the experiences, successes, and struggles of many other women before and after childbirth in this all-in-one mothercare guide about family, work, the baby (or second or third baby), and you. Includes checklists, plan-ahead suggestions, questionnaires, and much more.

Drawn from three years of research, the author's own experience, and the candid recollections of many mothers--married and single, birth and adoptive, older and younger-- the nine chapters in this comprehensive guide cover all aspects of the postpartum experience, including: what the new mom should expect when she goes home what postpartum is and how long it lasts where to find breastfeeding help how to ask for help the new mom's home-care options realistic going-back-to-work options how to relieve the isolation of at-home mothering what to say (and not to say) to family members and much more

Many women expect to become mothers but are childless through social rather than biological reasons - perhaps they haven't met the right person or they prioritised career or education earlier in life. Featuring international interviews by grief counsellor and researcher Lois Tonkin, this collection of first-person stories provides insight into the under-discussed situation of being childless by circumstance. Each story highlights the different aspects of being childless by circumstance, as women move through their 30s, 40s, and 50s, and beyond their ages of fertility. The book explores feelings of grief and loss, and also how women adapt positively to their changed life expectations, finding excitement in the alternative, rich and complex shapes their lives have taken.

A breakthrough program with more than 125 tempting, nutrient-dense recipes for thyroid conditions, Hashimoto's, adrenal fatigue, menopause, endometriosis, fibroids, breast health, PMS, PCOS, and other hormonal imbalances. Millions of women suffer from the life-altering, often debilitating symptoms resulting from hormonal imbalances: stubborn weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, depression, insomnia, digestive issues, and more. The good news is that most of these conditions are reversible. Integrative hormone and nutrition expert Magdalena Wszelaki knows this first-hand. Developing hyperthyroidism and then Hashimoto's, adrenal fatigue, and estrogen dominance propelled her to leave a high-pressured advertising career and develop a new way of eating that would repair and keep her hormones working smoothly. Now symptom free, Magdalena shares her practical, proven knowledge so other women may benefit. Drawing on current research and the programs she has developed and used to help thousands of women, she offers clear, concise action plans for what to remove and add to our daily diet to regain hormonal balance, including guides for specific conditions and more than 125 easy-to-prepare, flavorful, and anti-inflammatory recipes that are free of gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and nightshades and low in sugar. Based on twenty hormone-supporting superfoods and twenty hormone-supporting super herbs-with modifications for Paleo, Paleo for Autoimmunity (AIP), anti-Candida, and low-FODMAP diets-these healing recipes include a terrific selection for everyday meals, from Sweet Potato and Sage Pancakes and Honey Glazed Tarragon Chicken to a Decadent Chocolate Cherry Smoothie. With make-ahead meals, under-thirty-minute recipes, and time-saving tips and techniques, Cooking for Hormone Balance emphasizes minimal effort for maximum results-a comprehensive food-as-medicine approach for tackling hormone imbalance and eating your way to better health.

Smart, short techniques throughout the day can form a healthier perspective 'Truly empowering - a book for everyone. It will help you figure out life.'Fearne Cotton All the benefits of therapy - 10 minutes at a time Let Owen O'Kane, psychotherapist, former NHS Clinical Lead and Sunday Times bestselling author of TEN TO ZEN, show you how anyone can use simple, understandable techniques to unlock better mental health. Modern life is a minefield for stress. Whether it's juggling work, relationships or money, we often struggle to make time for ourselves and can find ourselves stuck in a rut with bad habits or worries. In HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST, Owen O'Kane reveals how smart, short techniques throughout the day can form healthier perspectives and let you ditch harmful thought patterns. Using the latest evidence-based tools and techniques from across a range of therapies including CBT, mindfulness and interpersonal therapy, Owen provides empowering solutions to managing what keeps you stuck so you can move forward. Teaching you the key fundamentals of therapy and how to apply these to your own life, alongside targeted tasks that take just 10 minutes a day, this is the practical therapy book for anyone who wants to get the best from their life and to manage better in tough times. 'Owen is bringing much needed therapy to all of us. He brings down the stigma attached to being vulnerable and is making talking about mental health approachable for everyone. His book is brilliant and I highly recommend.' Dr Rupy Aujla, MBBS, BSc, MRCGP The Doctor's Kitchen 'Anyone looking to understand how therapy can help them help themselves, should look no further than Owen's humorous and empowering book.' Benedict Cumberbatch

An introductory guide to postpartum depression highlights the causes and treatments for this common ailment, discussing the hormonal and emotional factors at play, the potential consequences of the illness, family support needs, and more. Original.

Motherhood doesn't have to mean losing yourself... Most moms are grateful they make the choice to be a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), but after a couple of years, they may feel like they're losing their mind. The alternative is going back to work, but that doesn't seem right either. Flex mom is for mothers who want a third model of motherhood, somewhere between stay-at-home mom and working mom. This third way is to be the primary caregiver for their children while deliberately creating a path that fuels their passions - leaving them fulfilled and confident. Described as a melting pot of positive psychology and coaching, with the humor and honesty of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, Flex Mom helps moms make the fleeting childrearing years their best yet.

"Even the most hard-nosed doctor will admit that some people have a healing presence that makes us--and our immune systems--better than before. Donna Eden is one of those rare healers."
--Gloria Steinem
Energy Medicine for Women was awarded the prestigious 2009 Nautilus Gold Award in the Health, Healing & Energy Medicine category.
A women's guide to using energy medicine to promote and maintain optimal physical and mental well-being.
For more than three decades, Donna Eden has been teaching people to understand the body as an energy system, to recognize their aches and pains as signals of energy imbalance, and to reclaim their natural healing capabilities. In this long-awaited new book, Eden speaks directly to women, showing them how they can work with energy to tackle the specific health challenges they face.
Hormonal health is essential to a woman's well-being, and in this groundbreaking book Eden reveals that a woman can manage her hormones by managing her energies. In fact, energy medicine is effective in treating a host of health issues. From PMS to menopause, from high blood pressure to depression, it offers solutions to women's health issues that traditional medicine often fails to provide. In "Energy Medicine for Women," Eden shows women how they can work with energy to strengthen their immune, circulatory, lymphatic, and respiratory systems to promote health, vitality, and inner peace. Blending a compassionate voice with a profound grasp of how the female body functions as an energy system, Eden presents what is sure to become a classic book on the subject of women's health.

Women's Mental Health Across the Lifespan examines women's mental health from a developmental perspective, looking at key stressors and strengths from adolescence to old age. Chapters focus in detail on specific stressors and challenges that can impact women's mental health, such as trauma, addictions, and mood and anxiety disorders. This book also examines racial and ethnic disparities in women's physical and mental health, mental health of sexual minorities and women with disabilities, and women in the military, and includes valuable suggestions for putting knowledge into practice.

A history of Toxic Shock Syndrome In 1978, doctors in Denver, Colorado observed several healthy children who suddenly and mysteriously developed a serious, life-threatening illness with no visible source. Their condition, which doctors dubbed 'toxic shock syndrome' (TSS) was rare, but observed with increasing frequency over the next few years in young women, and was soon learned to be associated with a bacterium and the use of high-absorbency tampons that had only recently gone on the market. In 1980, the Centers for Disease Control identified Rely tampons, produced by Procter & Gamble, as having the greatest association with TSS over every other tampon, and the company withdrew them from the market. To this day, however, women are frequently warned about contracting TSS through tampon use, even though very few cases are diagnosed each year. Historian Sharra Vostral's Toxic Shock is the first and definitive history of TSS. Vostral shows how commercial interests negatively affected women's health outcomes; the insufficient testing of the first super-absorbency tampon; how TSS became a 'women's disease,' for which women must constantly monitor their own bodies. Further, Vostral discusses the awkward, veiled and vague ways public health officials and the media discussed the risks of contracting TSS through tampon use because of social taboos around discussing menstruation, and how this has hampered regulatory actions and health communication around TSS, tampon use, and product safety. A study at the intersection of public health and social history, Toxic Shock brings to light the complexities behind a stigmatized and under-discussed issue in women's reproductive health. Importantly, Vostral warns that as we move forward with more and more joint replacements, implants, and internal medical devices, we must understand the relationship of technology to bacteria and recognize that both can be active agents within the human body. In other words, unexpected consequences and risks of bacteria and technology interacting with each other remain.

Sex and Scandal in the Victorian 'trial of the century' June, 1877: the petite 29-year-old Annie Besant stands motionless before the 75-year-old Judge towering over her in the Palace of Westminster. Lord Chief Justice Cockburn is presiding over the scandalous 'trial of the century' where Annie Besant and her confidante Charles Bradlaugh have been charged with the unforgiveable crime of publishing and selling a guide to birth control. Charged with obscenity, she argued -- controversially and outrageously, for the time -- that it was a woman's right to be able to choose to have children. The riveting trial over freedom of speech and the rights of women captivated the British public, caused outrage across the grey Victorian establishment and helped transform Annie Besant into one of the most famous women in the Empire. Drawing on unpublished archives, private papers and court-room transcripts, and an incredible cast of characters including Queen Victoria, George Bernard Shaw, Charles Darwin, and JS Mill, A Dirty, Filthy Book tells a gripping story of double standards that will horrify and delight in equal measure. At its heart is one of the most fascinating women of Victorian society, a little-known pioneer who single-handedly refused to accept the role that the establishment assigned her. Annie's trial lit the flame of social change, free speech and women's rights that is still burning around the world almost 150 years later.