The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts

Galveston Diet refers to a nutrition plan Dr. Haver designed specifically for women in midlife, aimed at addressing hormonal changes and the weight gain that often accompanies menopause. Unlike traditional diets, which focus solely on calorie restriction, the Galveston Diet emphasizes anti-inflammatory foods, intermittent fasting, and hormone-balancing nutrients to improve overall health during menopause. Dr. Haver advocates for a diet rich in whole foods, healthy fats, lean proteins, and fiber while minimizing processed foods and sugars that can exacerbate inflammation and weight gain. Dr. Haver presents this diet as an effective way to not only manage weight but also alleviate symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and mood swings. She presents the Galveston Diet as a holistic approach to managing menopause symptoms.

HRT refers to a medical treatment used to relieve symptoms associated with menopause by replenishing declining levels of estrogen and, in some cases, progesterone. As women transition through menopause, fluctuating and eventually decreasing hormone levels can lead to various physical and emotional symptoms such as hot flashes, brain fog, fatigue, and mood swings. The text presents HRT as a means to alleviate these symptoms, helping to restore balance in a woman’s body. However, while HRT has benefits, including reducing the risk of osteoporosis and improving quality of life, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In this book, the author stresses the importance of individualized care, taking into consideration a woman’s medical history, timing of HRT initiation, and specific needs to minimize risks like cardiovascular issues.

Menopause refers to the natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. It is characterized by the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months and is primarily caused by the decline in ovarian production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause not only brings physical changes—such as hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain—but also significant emotional and cognitive shifts, including mood swings, anxiety, and brain fog. In this book, the author emphasizes that menopause is a complex transition that affects multiple systems in the body, highlighting the importance of education and proactive care to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life during this phase. She encourages women to understand menopause as a natural and empowering life stage rather than a medical condition.

Perimenopause refers to the transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which a woman’s body begins to undergo hormonal changes. This phase typically starts in a woman’s forties but can begin earlier and is characterized by fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone. This leads to irregular menstrual cycles and a range of symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and weight gain. Perimenopause can last several years and is often the period where women experience the most intense symptoms, even before their periods fully stop. By recognizing the signs of perimenopause early, the author advocates for women to seek proactive care and management strategies, such as HRT and lifestyle adjustments, to better navigate the physical and emotional challenges during this time.