This widely acclaimed book is based on the one question most asked by women who are experiencing menopause - is hormone replacement therapy necessary? Experience has shown gynaecologist Dr Margaret Smith and psychotherapist Patricia Michalka that not all women need or want hormone therapy during menopause and, indeed, not everything that happens at this time of life is due to hormones. In this book, the authors use women's experiences (including their own) to explain how to sort out the confusion caused by the interaction of hormones and life events. their writing contains practical guidance-both medical and psychological-and reflects the rich tapestry of many women's lives with all their humour, confusion and clarity.