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

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with more than two decades of experience in women’s health. She earned her medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Her medical training initially provided her with a foundation in general women’s health, but it was her real-world experiences with patients that drove her to focus specifically on the underexplored and underserved area of menopause.

As Dr. Haver continued her practice, she realized that many of her patients were struggling with symptoms of menopause, such as weight gain, hot flashes, mood swings, and cognitive issues, yet had little support or education on how to handle these changes. Menopause, which is a significant part of a woman’s life, received minimal attention during her formal medical training. This knowledge gap became increasingly clear to her when she entered perimenopause and experienced many of the symptoms her patients had been describing for years. Her challenges with hormonal changes served as a wake-up call that traditional medical approaches were inadequate for many women experiencing menopause.

This personal journey was pivotal in Dr. Haver’s career. Frustrated with the lack of guidance available, she sought out cutting-edge research on menopause, hormonal health, and aging, which eventually led her to create The Galveston Diet, a nutrition and lifestyle program designed specifically for women going through menopause. This program, grounded in scientific research, focuses on reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, and achieving healthy weight management, addressing the common concerns many women face during menopause.

In The New Menopause, Dr. Haver weaves her personal and professional experiences together to offer a holistic and accessible approach to menopause. The book is not just a medical text but a reflection of her journey and the journeys of countless women she has helped. It stands as an educational tool designed to empower women by providing them with the knowledge they need to navigate menopause with confidence and control. Dr. Haver emphasizes the importance of understanding the biological changes that occur during menopause, discussing in depth the decline of estrogen and its impact on the body—from cognitive function to bone health. This scientific grounding is crucial in her work, but she doesn’t stop at just presenting the science. What sets Dr. Haver’s approach apart is the inclusion of patient testimonials and personal anecdotes, which bring the science to life. These stories resonate with women who have felt unheard or misunderstood by the medical community. These stories not only validate the experiences of many women but also highlight the emotional and psychological toll that menopause can take.

Professionally, Dr. Haver has also become a sought-after speaker and educator on menopause and women’s health, using her platform to challenge the medical community to take menopause more seriously. She advocates for HRT as a viable option for many women and promotes lifestyle changes—such as diet and exercise—to help manage menopause symptoms. Her balanced approach, which combines medical intervention with holistic practices, reflects her belief in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Dr. Haver’s commitment to empowering women through education is evident throughout her work. In The New Menopause, she provides step-by-step solutions and practical advice that women can apply in their daily lives. Whether it’s guidance on how to talk to a doctor about hormone therapy or tips on managing sleep disturbances and mood swings, Dr. Haver’s goal is to equip women with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their health.