Menopause: A Mental Health Practitioner's Guide. Donna E. Stewart (ed). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2005, $34.95, pb, 202 pp ISBN: 1-58562-160-9

The menopause is a significant biological event in the life of every woman and menopausal transition has been often associated with an increase in physical and mental health complaints. However, there is little clarity of thought on the subject. Although some groups tend to medicalise psychosocial issues and human suffering, others minimise or completely ignore serious mood and endocrinological disorders.

In the past decades there has been a wealth of research on the physical and psychological aspects of the menopausal period. However, several multi-author books on women’s mental health have failed to effectively deal with the issues during and after the menopause.

This is one of the few books that has focused solely on this period and has an objective and balanced view. The book has eight thought-provoking chapters covering all aspects of menopausal problems. The first chapter introduces the context of midlife and the following two chapters describe the physiology and the effects of reproductive hormones. The chapters on mood disorders and psychotic illness in the perimenopausal period address many of the questions of practising psychiatrists. These chapters are easy to read, well written and unpretentious. The chapters on the medical and gynaecological aspects of the menopause and the perimenopause set the scene for a wider understanding of the impact of the changes which take place in the body. The last chapter describes probably the most neglected aspect of all, the psychopathology and the psychotherapeutic needs beyond the menopause.

The authors introduce the reader to the multitude of interconnected problems that affect the menopausal woman. They contribute to the recognition of the common problems and bring clear answers to questions frequently asked by both medical and non-medical professionals. This is a positive and considered book and a genuine contribution to the understanding of the menopausal period. It has a clear message and an invaluable collection of information. It explores current practice and reviews the changes necessary to improve practice. The book would be useful for general practitioners, psychiatrists and all involved in the assessment of menopausal and postmenopausal women.