albrunton's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a real struggle to finish. I enjoyed the first section about the cycle strategy, especially reading while on my period. I found it comforting, albeit at times unrealistic on how much control people have to plan their schedules around their period (if every woman did this I can imagine a very disordered society).
If the book had ended there I probably would have given it 4 stars however the 'self-care' chapter was infuriating. With an air of social media 'expert' it promotes an orthorexic inducing lifestyle and suspicion of medical professionals who have higher qualifications than the author. I would honestly advise against reading this chapter.
In the epilogue, Hill states her aim for the book as making women feel better about themselves. For me that was completely unsuccessful. The only way you can feel good about yourself in light of the advise in this book is if you have a completely restrictive lifestyle.
If the book had ended there I probably would have given it 4 stars however the 'self-care' chapter was infuriating. With an air of social media 'expert' it promotes an orthorexic inducing lifestyle and suspicion of medical professionals who have higher qualifications than the author. I would honestly advise against reading this chapter.
In the epilogue, Hill states her aim for the book as making women feel better about themselves. For me that was completely unsuccessful. The only way you can feel good about yourself in light of the advise in this book is if you have a completely restrictive lifestyle.
theseasoul's review against another edition
Immediate DNF after the introduction and reading the disclaimer, “Not everyone who is a woman has a menstrual cycle or womb, and not everyone who has a menstrual cycle and a womb is a woman”. I’m sorry, but my trust in the reliability of your science ends there. The menstrual cycle and womb are literally THE primary biological markers of womanhood. If you’re going to deny that basic fact just so you don’t offend some people, you don’t have the credibility it takes to write a book on the menstrual cycle. I am a woman, not a “menstruator”, not a “person with a period”, and I will save my time for a book that appreciates the God-given uniqueness of my female biology/physiology.
There’s already an underlying tone of self-love and radical feminism, an implied mockery of God’s design for marriage and sex, and a total lack of professionalism (while I believe the menstrual cycle isn’t a shameful thing and should be discussed more openly, the author takes the casualness of the subject just a little too far).
I’ve heard there’s some helpful info in this book in the midst of these problematic things, but I’ve got other books on my list that will hopefully cover the same information in a less gross, more respectful way.
booksandtea17's review against another edition
2.0
This book was 80% misinformation, scaremongering and anti-modern medicine nonsense and 20% helpful in raising awareness about how women and their menstrual issues should be taken seriously. Speaking as someone who has two suspected endocrine/menstrual disorders, I can say I have tried all of the natural methods to help me and it did nearly nothing. I am telling you now, herbs and acupuncture are not going to do much to to help me, I have tried many herbs and supplements, weight loss, diet changes and the only things that have really helped me is ibuprofen, heat patches and Pilates and walking for cramps and a prescription from my doctor and that has worked for me! If you find the herbs and holistic approach helps you; great! But doctors and research should not be discredited by someone who is not a medical professional.
filipateodoro's review against another edition
Started getting a bit too new age/cooky for me.
rcraig's review against another edition
2.0
Firstly, to address the friends who I recommended this book to who are wondering why I have recommended a 2/5 star book to them…
Like many others who have left a review I thought the first part of the book was great, particularly the section on anatomy. I also liked the reminder to slow down, when needed and where possible, during certain stages of my cycle.
However…
Now this is probably my fault as I began the book without examining the credentials of the author, I assumed she had sufficient medical expertise (she does refer herself as an “expert”). Frequent references to woman who have gone to see her for support with their cycles as well as using terms such as “first-line treatment” gave me the impression that she was/had been a GP or consultant, not an aromatherapist/acupuncturist/doula.
There are a lot of reviews already which rightfully ward off taking medical advice from someone not qualified to give it so I thought I’d end this review with a quote from the comedian Tim Minchin:
“Do you know what they call alternative medicine that's been proved to work? Medicine.”
p.s. To my pals, I’ll now only give recs when I’ve finished books. Lesson learned!
Like many others who have left a review I thought the first part of the book was great, particularly the section on anatomy. I also liked the reminder to slow down, when needed and where possible, during certain stages of my cycle.
However…
Now this is probably my fault as I began the book without examining the credentials of the author, I assumed she had sufficient medical expertise (she does refer herself as an “expert”). Frequent references to woman who have gone to see her for support with their cycles as well as using terms such as “first-line treatment” gave me the impression that she was/had been a GP or consultant, not an aromatherapist/acupuncturist/doula.
There are a lot of reviews already which rightfully ward off taking medical advice from someone not qualified to give it so I thought I’d end this review with a quote from the comedian Tim Minchin:
“Do you know what they call alternative medicine that's been proved to work? Medicine.”
p.s. To my pals, I’ll now only give recs when I’ve finished books. Lesson learned!