One of my biggest challenges after stopping the pill was dealing with inconsistent and missing periods. Initially, my cycle would only come around every third month, and when it did, it was accompanied by excruciating pain, minimal bleeding, severe PMS, hormonal acne, and a host of other frustrating symptoms.

What I realized through this journey was that, like many women, I had only a vague understanding of my own reproductive health. It’s something I now consider essential for women to learn because it teaches so much about our bodies and how we engage with the world around us.

I started diving into books about hormonal health, and while they all offered valuable information, one in particular stood out: The Period Repair Manual. This book has been transformative for me, not just because of the depth of knowledge it offers, but because of how clearly and accessibly it’s written. It addresses a range of hormonal issues, including missing periods, PMS, PCOS, thyroid health, painful periods, irregular cycles, menopause, and much more.

What the book covers

The book is divided into two main sections:

Part One: Understanding Your Period

• Period Revolution
• Breaking Up with Hormonal Birth Control
• Better Birth Control: All the Options
• What Should Your Period Be Like?
• What Can Go Wrong with Your Period? All the Clues

Part Two: Treatment

• General Maintenance for Periods
• Restoring Regular Periods
• The PMS Solution: 3 Steps to Hormonal Resilience
• Easy Flows: No More Pain and Suffering
• What Happens in Your 40s
• Advanced Troubleshooting

Each chapter dives into its topic in a way that feels approachable and actionable. The author provides straightforward tips and strategies that are easy to implement, making it my go-to resource whenever I have a question about my cycle.

My thoughts and rating

While The Period Repair Manual covers a broad spectrum of hormonal health topics, it’s still easy to navigate and not overwhelming in length. On a scale of 1-10, I’d give it a 7. The areas where I feel it falls short are more related to the emotional aspect of menstrual health, the significant role of gut health (like the estrobolome, which helps regulate estrogen in the body), and a deeper dive into nutritional guidance. Including these aspects would have provided a more holistic approach to reproductive health.

That said, for anyone just beginning to explore their hormonal health, I think this book is a fantastic starting point. I still find myself referencing it regularly, and it’s a staple on my bookshelf.