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ZEST FOR LIFE: Lesbians' Experiences of Menopause Jennifer Kelly 1-876756-46-2 Price: $27.95 (Australian dollars), $34.95 (NZ dollars), $17.95 (US dollars), $27.95 (Canadian dollars), £11.95 (UK pounds)

Zest for Life draws on lesbians’ experiences of menopause to highlight how lesbians, particularly at midlife, are invisibilised in society at large. Many writers and researchers have critically analysed the medical construction of menopause, yet even they fail to ask whether the issues are the same for lesbians. Zest for Life includes the voices of lesbians who tell us that despite lesbian invisibility and homophobia, many are resisting current standards that exclude them. The experiences of these women challenge negative, stereotypical views of menopause and add a new positive dimension to the presently narrow and medicalised view of women at midlife. An important uplifting book for both lesbians and heterosexual women as well as health professionals which shows that menopause need not be a time of despair. Dr. Jennifer Kelly has a background in general nursing, midwifery and women’s health. She has worked for many years in the area of women’s health in a variety of roles and locations throughout Australia. Contents Preface 1 Introduction 2 Lesbians, body image and menopause 3 Sex and sexuality at menopause 4 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) 5 Health services and homophobia 6 'There are always different issues': Lesbians' unique experiences of menopause 7 Dual vision: A vision for short-term and long-term change 000 Notes References Index Jennifer Kelly has written exactly what many of us have been waiting for: a book that makes mid-life lesbians' experiences of menopause visible and central. Dr Mariamne Whatley, Professor of Women's Health This enlightening book reveals that despite dealing with a heterosexist health care system, lesbians can have unique and `health-enhancing' perspectives on fitness, empathic intimate relationships, fulfilling sex and holistic approaches to health and wellbeing at menopause. Dr Ruth McNair, Medical Practitioner ‘This book should be required reading for Women Studies and Women’s Health students everywhere.’ Suzanne L. Dibble, University of California This book is important because it breaks new ground. It is both a great exposé and an inspiration. It is very readable and informative – I would even go so far as to say entertaining Chris Sitka Dykonoclast

ISBN 1876756462   pb Territories:World  All rights:Spinifex