For too long, health research and health writing were dominated by men, often to women's cost. These nine books, all by women doctors, scientists and researchers, help correct that, covering menopause, hormones, the female body in exercise, sleep, self-compassion and more. Every author is a credentialed expert and every book brings authority that was missing for far too long.
Quick picks:
- Best on menopause: The Menopause Manifesto by Jen Gunter. View on Amazon
- Best on fitness: Roar by Stacy Sims. View on Amazon
- Best on wellbeing: Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski. View on Amazon
Hormones and the female body
The Menopause Manifesto by Jen Gunter
Jen Gunter is an OB-GYN (MD). The essential, myth-busting guide to menopause, covering hormones, symptoms and treatments with evidence and zero shame. The one to own.
Best for: The essential menopause reference.
→ View on AmazonThe Menopause Brain by Lisa Mosconi
Lisa Mosconi is a neuroscientist (PhD). The real neuroscience behind brain fog, mood and memory shifts in menopause and why they are not imaginary. Reassuring and validating.
Best for: The menopausal brain, explained.
→ View on AmazonIt's Not Hysteria by Karen Tang
Karen Tang is a gynecologic surgeon (MD). A plain-spoken, comprehensive guide to the reproductive and gynecological health women are rarely told enough about. Empowering.
Best for: Gynecological health, frankly.
→ View on AmazonRoar by Stacy Sims
Stacy Sims is an exercise physiologist (PhD). The influential guide to training and fueling built specifically for female physiology. The book that said women are not small men.
Best for: Training for the female body.
→ View on AmazonCome As You Are by Emily Nagoski
Emily Nagoski is a health educator (PhD). The research-based, shame-free guide to women's sexuality and desire that countless readers call liberating. A vital, overlooked piece of health.
Best for: The science of women's wellbeing.
→ View on AmazonMind, sleep and aging
Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
Kristin Neff is a psychologist (PhD). The foundational book from the researcher who pioneered self-compassion science, with exercises to treat yourself more kindly. Genuinely transformative.
Best for: Learning to be kinder to yourself.
→ View on AmazonHello Sleep by Jade Wu
Jade Wu is a sleep psychologist (PhD). A warm, modern take on chronic insomnia that teaches you to stop fighting sleep and work with your body. The friendliest CBT-I book there is.
Best for: A gentler path out of insomnia.
→ View on AmazonGood Energy by Casey Means
Casey Means is a physician (MD). A big-picture case that metabolic health underlies energy, mood and long-term disease, with practical steps. Accessible and motivating.
Best for: Metabolic health as the foundation.
→ View on AmazonThe Telomere Effect by Elizabeth Blackburn, Elissa Epel
Elizabeth Blackburn is a Nobel laureate (PhD) and a health psychologist (PhD). From the scientist who won the Nobel for telomere research, how stress and lifestyle affect cellular aging. Foundational and practical.
Best for: Cellular aging and stress.
→ View on AmazonHow we chose these
We hold to a simple rule: if we cannot verify an author's credential (MD, PhD, RD, DPT, PsyD, or licensed clinician) from a publisher or university bio in about two minutes, the book does not make the list, with clearly labeled exceptions for a few excellent journalist-authored titles. No cure-all claims, no anti-science, no wellness influencers. We describe and compare these books to help you choose; we do not reproduce their contents.
Please note: these are books, not medical advice. Everyone's health is different. For your specific situation, talk to your doctor before acting on anything you read.
