Menopause: The Change

From Symptoms To Strength (The Power of Food Choices Book 2)

Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 09/19/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

Karin Kalteren Busink’s Menopause: The Change reframes menopause as a transformation rather than a decline. Blending scientific research, nutritional guidance, and personal testimony, the book moves from the author’s own first hot flash, experienced unexpectedly during a conference in Berlin, to a broader reflection on what she calls “the most sophisticated biological system” recalibrating itself. The book explores both the silence surrounding menopause and the failures of medicine to study women’s bodies adequately. It addresses cholesterol, cortisol, and cognitive shifts, and also offers practical strategies, which is what I was the most interested in, as it is still hard today to find relevant and useful information about menopause. These include food-based solutions, mindfulness practices, herbal remedies, and community support. 

Karin Kalteren Busink’s Menopause: The Change’s strength lies in the author's refusal to treat menopause merely as a pathology. Instead, the author insists on its cultural and existential dimensions. She treats menopause as an awakening into authenticity. Her text is warm and accessible, which is something I really love about this book. This book is also notable for its comprehensiveness: medical critique, nutritional advice, cultural anthropology, and ancient traditions are all included. The overall tone is definitely empowering rather than dogmatic, a plus in my mind. Busink’s work aims to inform us about a topic that is mostly not discussed and to transform the way we view our health. The book reminds us that this transition is not a restriction, as nearly half of a woman’s life lies beyond menopause, and the pause offers women a chance to live with clarity, strength, and authenticity. Thank you so much for this gem of a book!

Jamie Michele

Karin Kalteren Busink’s Menopause: The Change presents menopause as a gradual, multi-year transition beginning with progesterone decline, followed by fluctuating estrogen, rather than a single event. She describes physiological changes affecting reproductive, nervous, immune, cardiovascular, digestive, musculoskeletal, and brain function, emphasizing the interplay of hormones, stress, and lifestyle. Busink outlines diagnostic strategies, including Anti-Müllerian Hormone testing for predicting menopausal timing, and addresses complications from hormonal contraception. She details symptom patterns such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood shifts, and Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, recommending individualized interventions including local vaginal estrogen, dietary adjustments, strength training, mindful eating, hydration, and targeted supplements. Complementary approaches such as acupuncture, TCM herbs, yoga, tai chi, breathwork, and social support are discussed, alongside structured phased programs and intermittent fasting, forming a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework for physiological and lifestyle management during menopause.

Menopause: The Change by Karin Kalteren Busink is a remarkable guide that transforms how women can approach this stage of life with confidence and optimism. I found the four-phase blueprint both practical and motivating, offering clear strategies for nutrition, wellness, energy, and even life planning that feel achievable and empowering. The book’s focus on intermittent fasting, anti-inflammatory meals, and menopause-specific smoothies is presented in a way that makes the information accessible and immediately usable. I especially appreciated the hands-on guidance and thoughtful tips for busy lifestyles, which make implementing the advice straightforward rather than overwhelming. The exercises encouraging readers to envision themselves at 75 provide an inspiring lens for decision-making today. This book leaves the reader feeling informed, capable, and genuinely excited about taking control of their health and daily routines. Very highly recommended.

Alma Boucher

In Menopause: The Change: From Symptoms to Strength by Karin Kalteren Busink, I discovered that two experiences in a woman’s life are unmatched in their profound connection between mind and body: the sacred journey of motherhood and the transformative passage of menopause. Each woman’s experience with menopause is deeply personal, shaped by genetics, lifestyle, stress, and countless other factors that make her truly unique. Menopause is a serious life change that deserves respect and understanding from women and their loved ones. Knowledge is empowering, but the right expertise at the right time can be life-changing. A woman who embraces and navigates menopause emerges stronger, armed with wisdom, self-awareness, and a renewed purpose. She recognizes her worth, trusts her inner voice, and steps confidently into creating the life she truly desires, with her best years still ahead.

Menopause: The Change by Karin Kalteren Busink is an essential companion for every woman approaching or navigating menopause. Filled with knowledge, guidance, and hope, the book strikes a balance between being practical and deeply inspiring. The pacing is well thought out, with each section clearly organized to make the information accessible, relevant, and easy to apply. Busink writes with empathy and respect, weaving together science, practical strategies, and encouragement in a way that resonates with both newcomers to nutritional approaches and those already committed to healthy living. Themes of self-care, resilience, and empowerment are woven throughout, making this more than just a guide to managing menopause; it is a roadmap to thriving beyond it. After finishing the book, I came away with a renewed appreciation for the profound impact that food and lifestyle choices have on shaping a woman’s health and future.