This work unites psychologists, psychiatrists, gynecologists, endocrinologists, and epidemiologists to offer an integrated clinical and research perspective on the interplay between hormones, physiological changes, and mental and psychological symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The book begins with an overview of normal aging and the menopausal transition, then looks at relevant aspects such as sexuality, sociocultural changes, life stressors, and the emergence of depression. This is followed by reviews of the physiology of thermoregulation and hot flashes and their link to mood changes and sleep disturbances. The management of mood and anxiety during the menopausal transition is addressed with a survey of recent research trials and an update on hormonal and nonhormonal treatment strategies. There is also discussion of the emergence of psychotic symptoms and first-incidence schizophrenia associated with changes in sex hormones during the peri- and postmenopausal years. A final chapter reviews the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy in the era since the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study indicating increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer with hormone replacement therapy, and looks at further studies that both support and contradict the original WHI results. Soares is affiliated with the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Minnesota. Warren is affiliated with the Center for Menopause, Hormonal Disorders and Women's Heath at Columbia University Medical Center. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
