"A clear, balanced, and up-to-date guide to dealing with issues arising from the menopause - it couldn't have come at a better time." Dr Mark Porter, Practising GP, well known Writer and Broadcaster As the variety of treatments to alleviate the physical and psychological symptoms of menopause continues to expand, doctors are encouraging women to take an active role in choosing treatment options for themselves. Understanding Menopause will help you to make these decisions by providing clear, unbiased information about all aspects of menopause, as well as first-person accounts by women of their psychological and sociological menopausal experiences. Written by an expert in women's health, this reader-friendly guide bridges the gap between medical knowledge and everyday life to help you cope with the menopause both physically and mentally. Features women's accounts of what the menopause actually feels like Includes the most up-to-date information on the results of the recent high-profile study into the risks of heart disease and stroke amongst women who have taken HRT Written in an easy-to-understand style by an expert on women's health Karen Ballard is a medical sociologist with a particular interest in women's health issues. She has carried out extensive research into women's experiences of the menopause and their use of hormone replacement therapy. She is an academic at King's College London, where she works in the department of General Practice and Primary Care.