The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter — A Hot Flash of Truth and Liberation
If there’s one thing we’ve learned at Womyns’Ware over the years, it’s that our bodies are not the problem — silence is. And when it comes to menopause, the silence has been deafening.
Enter The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism by Dr. Jen Gunter — OB/GYN, fierce truth-teller, and self-described “Internet’s gynecologist.” With her signature blend of medical expertise and feminist fire, Dr. Gunter takes on one of the most misunderstood (and misrepresented) phases of life and hands it back to us — science-first, stigma-free, and gloriously unapologetic.
The Problem Isn’t Menopause — It’s the Myths
From whispered jokes about “the change” to dismissive medical attitudes that treat menopausal symptoms as something to endure quietly, menopause has long been cast as a time of decline.
Dr. Gunter calls out this narrative for what it is: patriarchal nonsense. She reminds us that menopause is not a disease to be treated, but a natural stage of life to be understood and respected. Her book is a manifesto in every sense — a rallying cry for informed autonomy.
Through meticulous research and refreshingly blunt prose, Gunter breaks down what’s really happening hormonally, physically, and emotionally. She covers hot flashes, bone density, libido, vaginal health, sleep, mood shifts, and more — all with a focus on science over shame.
Science Meets Sisterhood
What sets The Menopause Manifesto apart isn’t just the information (though there’s plenty of that). It’s the tone.
Dr. Gunter writes as both clinician and comrade — part gynecologist, part feminist big sister, part myth-slayer. She invites readers to unlearn the harmful messages we’ve absorbed about aging and femininity, and to replace them with truth and compassion.
Her message is clear: knowledge is power, and power is pleasure.
And yes — she talks openly about sex, desire, and vaginal health in a way that will make you want to high-five her through the pages. Because contrary to the cultural script, menopause does not mean the end of pleasure. It can actually mean more — more comfort in your skin, more self-awareness, and often, more freedom from the hormonal rollercoaster of earlier decades.
The Womyns’Ware Perspective
At Womyns’Ware, we believe that sexual wellness and empowerment are lifelong journeys. There’s no age limit on joy, curiosity, or connection. That’s why The Menopause Manifesto speaks so deeply to our mission: helping folks understand, celebrate, and care for their bodies — through every stage of life.
Dr. Gunter’s voice echoes what we’ve been saying for 30 years: your body deserves respect, pleasure, and informed care. Menopause isn’t a door closing — it’s another room in the house of your body, one that can be filled with light, laughter, and maybe a few strategically placed fans.
We especially appreciate how the book dismantles fear-based marketing that preys on menopausal insecurities. No “anti-aging” gimmicks, no miracle cures — just solid science, feminist context, and permission to be gloriously, unapologetically human.
Why You Should Read It
Because this is the handbook we should have always had.Because your doctor probably didn’t explain it this way.Because every person who menstruates (or used to) deserves to understand what’s happening in their body without shame or confusion.
And because the more we talk about menopause, the less power stigma has.
Whether you’re perimenopausal, postmenopausal, or just curious about what’s ahead, The Menopause Manifesto will leave you informed, empowered, and — dare we say — inspired.
Our Final Word: Own Your Change
Dr. Jen Gunter reminds us that menopause isn’t an ending — it’s evolution. It’s a recalibration of hormones, yes, but also of priorities, energy, and identity.
At Womyns’Ware, we raise a glass (of chilled water, for obvious reasons) to this brilliant, fiery book and the women and gender-diverse folks reclaiming their stories through it.
So read it. Gift it. Talk about it with your friends, your family, your partners and our Sexual Health Consultant at Womyns'Ware.Let’s make menopause something we discuss with the same openness we bring to periods, pregnancy, and pleasure.
Because the real manifesto is this: our bodies belong to us — at every age, in every form, through every change.