Books
These are not just books about menopause. I view menopause as an intrinsic part of growing older, and in my research and teaching, I’ve realised how important it is to embrace ageing as this will spill over into how you deal with menopause. In Western society, we are bombarded with negative narratives about ageing, it’s hard to escape it. But research is clear, if you view ageing as something negative to be feared, your experience of ageing may reflect that. Some research also shows the same is true for how we view menopause.
So, whether it’s looking at your ageing mindset, or reconsidering lifestyle options like exercise and diet, some of these books help challenge these prevailing narratives.
Menopause and women’s health
Dr Jen Gunter – The menopause manifesto – this is a feisty unapologetic book about menopause, written by a US gynaecologist who specialises in debunking myths about menopause and provides evidence-based information to empower you. It’s very direct – good for readers who want strong, critical thinking and facts without fluff. Jen supports HRT but doesn’t dismiss other options without examining the evidence. Her TED talk is worth a look. She also has a Substack (The Vajenda) where she writes topical posts that challenge much of the received wisdom (hype) about menopause treatment.
Myra Hunter & Melanie Smith – Managing Hot Flushes and Night Sweats – based on a comprehensive programme of clinical research that now informs menopause practice in the UK, this self-help book (four week programme) uses cognitive behavioural techniques to help you manage your hot flushes and night sweats. If you can’t take HRT or do not wish to, this approach can be really helpful. It definitely helped me!
Rachel Lankaster - Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause and Beyond - in this book, Rachel reframes menopause and midlife not as decline, but as a catalyst for growth and change. As such, it challenges the conventional negative narratives around ageing, especially as a woman. It’s a blend of personal narrative, research and practical exercises to support readers in navigating hormonal shifts, reshaping mindset and, in the process, crafting a “magnificent” next chapter. Friendly, engaging and down to earth, and aimed at women wanting more than just hormone info. See also Rachel’s podcast, and she’s a part of the Menoclarity collective too.
Davina McCall - Menopausing: The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring – everyone’s heard about Davina and her mission to get women talking about menopause and her book is a best seller. There’s a fair bit to like about this book in that it provides helpful evidence- based information on the topic and is co-written by Dr Naomi Potter who works in this area. It’s good for breaking down stigma and empowering women to discuss HRT confidently with their doctors, if that is what they want, but it’s not as comprehensive if you’re hoping to explore the full range of non-hormonal or holistic options as it is very HRT-centric.
Naga Munchetty – It’s probably nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis (and How to Thrive Despite It) – not directly about menopause, but the messages it contains are so relevant. How many of us have found it hard to broach the topic of menopause with our doctors for fear of being dismissed as making a fuss? This book acts as a manifesto, offering clear guidance on how women can advocate for themselves, know what questions to ask clinicians, and achieve better care.
Dr Louise Wiseman - Your best life: A doctor’s secret guide to radiant health after 40 – this is a detailed and evidence-based tour of what happens to women’s bodies as we age and how to take steps to remain healthy and happy. It covers a wide range of topics, not menopause-specific. Disclaimer: Dr Lou is a great friend and expert in this domain. I’ve seen first hand how knowledgeable and balanced she is as she used to help me when I was teaching my students about menopause.
Books about ageing
Ashton Applewhite - This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism - One of the first books I read on this topic, this is a bold, engaging, and evidence-based call to dismantle ageism in all its forms. Ashton challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions about ageing, urging readers to embrace later life as a time of growth, connection, and value. With wit and research, she exposes how internalised ageism limits us - and offers practical, empowering ways to push back and reframe ageing as a powerful, meaningful stage of life.
Kerry Burnight - Joyspan - this is an uplifting and science-backed guide to thriving in later life with purpose, joy, and connection. Drawing on decades of work in gerontology and elder care, Kerry introduces the concept of "joyspan"—the years we not only live longer but live well. Through practical strategies, inspiring stories, and evidence-based insights, the book encourages readers to focus on meaning, relationships, and mindset as the true markers of healthy ageing.
Carl Honoré – Bolder - A spirited, optimistic reframe of ageing that challenges stereotypes and showcases how growing older can mean growing bolder, not fading away. Carl blends his own personal stories and global insights to show how to thrive in later life with purpose and confidence. So many inspiring examples! I love this book! His TED talk is also worth a watch. Disclaimer, Carl is a friend and used to come and help me out when I was teaching my students about Ageing. My students often bought this book for their parents as a gift.
Becca Levy - Breaking the Age Code - This book (and Becca’s research) had a profound effect on my attitude to growing older. Drawing on decades of groundbreaking research, Becca reveals how our beliefs about ageing profoundly shape our health, memory, and even longevity. With clarity and optimism, she shows how ageism – from society and ourselves – can limit us, and how changing our mindset can unlock vitality, purpose, and wellbeing in later life. This is a hopeful, science-backed guide to ageing differently, and thriving because of it. My students loved it!
Louise Pendry - Grandma’s Can’t Trampoline - I wrote this kids’ book because I wanted to challenge ageist stereotypes and celebrate women ageing on their own terms. It’s written from the perspective of an eleven year old girl, Jess, and describes her evolving relationship with her grandmother Nancy. I weave in a lot of the psychology around ageing and women, but hopefully in an accessible way, It’s about how older women are often boxed in by outdated assumptions, and what happens when they push back. I used this book in my uni teaching to encourage my students to challenge the prevailing narrative around women and (not) ageing. Parents who bought this book tell me it taught them a lot too.
Jonathan Rauch – The Happiness Curve - Jonathan explores the surprising science behind why happiness often dips in midlife, and why it usually rebounds later. With warmth and insight, he offers reassurance and understanding to anyone navigating midlife unease. This book shows that the future may not be as gloomy as we fear.
Annabel Streets & Susan Saunders – The Age-Well Project - A practical, research-based guide to ageing healthily, full of actionable tips across nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mindset. It’s an accessible toolkit for making small, sustainable changes that pay off long-term. If you are looking to reassess your lifestyle to support healthy ageing and menopause, it is a fab resource.
Marta Zaraska – Growing Young - This book uncovers how kindness, connection, and optimism can be just as powerful as diet and exercise for longevity. Backed by science, Marta makes a strong case that emotional well-being is central to ageing well. This is a vital piece of the puzzle for growing older.
Books about health
I’ve provided a list of all of Rangan Chatterjee’s books here because they are all relevant and suggest modest actionable changes we can often build into our hectic lives. Importantly, everything he writes about is also backed by science. Rangan’s work consistently emphasises small, manageable lifestyle shifts grounded in science, paired with emotional resilience and self-compassion. His focus on finding joy, reducing overwhelm, and supporting sustainable change can be particularly valuable for women navigating hormonal shifts, energy challenges, and identity transitions in midlife.
The 4 Pillar Plan (2017) - Dr. Chatterjee’s debut offers a holistic health strategy built around four pillars: Relax, Eat, Move, and Sleep. Each pillar is broken down into five manageable, evidence‑based actions designed to enhance well-being without overwhelming lifestyle changes. The book emphasizes sustainable habits, like choosing colourful whole foods, prioritising restful routines, and fitting movement into daily life, to create lasting improvements in energy, mood, and overall health.
Feel Better in 5 (2019) - This book offers a micro‑step approach to well-being by encouraging three five‑minute “health snacks” daily, covering the mind, body, and heart. Using behavioural science, Rangan teaches that small, joy-bringing habits are far more sustainable than overwhelming New Year resolutions . With case studies from his GP work, this guide helps readers feel calmer, more energetic, and happier without taxing willpower.
Feel Great, Lose Weight (2020) - A compassionate, research-informed manual for long-term weight management, this book goes beyond quick fixes. Rangan advocates for understanding the why behind eating habits, and building a toolbox of lifestyle changes—such as mindful nourishment, sleep enhancement, gentle movement, and stress reduction—that fit into real-life routines. It’s about working with your biology for sustainable results, not against it.
Happy Mind, Happy Life (2022) - In this deep dive into mental wellbeing, Rangan draws on neuroscience, mindfulness, and practical exercises to explore pathways to sustainable happiness. Structured around ten simple strategies—such as enhancing contentment, alignment, and emotional resilience—this guide inspires readers to feel calmer, more confident, and able to navigate life’s ups and downs.
Make Change That Lasts (2025) - Chatterjee’s most recent work explores how to break habits for good by delving into emotional triggers, environmental cues, and self-reliance rather than relying on willpower alone. Through blending modern behavioural science with ancient philosophy, he offers nine actionable insights that guide readers from understanding the roots of habits to consciously designing a life with lasting, healthful changes.
