Navigate Menopause with Purpose and Power: Dr. Tasneem Bhatia's book, The Hormone Shift.

Dr. Taz Bhatia is a board-certified integrative medicine physician, wellness expert and founder and CEO of CentreSpring MD, an award-winning medical practice with locations in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and NYC, along with a global telehealth platform. Having had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Taz, I can confidently assert that this book offers significant insights worthy of exploration

Our hormones hold the key to total wellness and health. For most people, especially women, hormonal highs, lows, twists, and turns can feel overwhelming because every aspect of health, from metabolism to mental health, is connected to them.

Hormonal issues should not be relegated to the category of 'normal'; indeed, approximately 80% of women experience imbalances that present as mood swings, menstrual pain, weight gain, acne, and hair loss. Hormone dysfunction on overall health is profound, and it impacts almost every other system of the body, yet it is routinely missed in practice. And this dismissal, oversight—whatever you want to call it—leaves women feeling confused, defeated. Through the integration of Eastern and Western medical practices, this book empowers women to take control of their hormonal health and transform confusion into strength. 

Six key insights: 

The following are six key insights derived from the book, which we recommend our readers consider and implement.

1. Thirty-Day Hormone Reset plan: For Dr. Taz, as she is popularly known, each hormone shift is just one point in the spectrum of our ever-changing bodies, whether you are 13, 26, 35, or 50+. Her unique customizable Thirty-Day Hormone Reset plan uses an East-meets-West approach: seamlessly blending Eastern modalities like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine with modern medical treatments for whole body wellness to offer a road map and a new perspective like never before. It merges the interconnected aspects of the body—the emotional, spiritual, physical, hormonal, and mental dimensions—and personalizes your body map to elevate your vibration and energy levels.

2. The Rock Star Shift: Why Thirteen Is as Important as Thirty:  Many women are unaware that their hormone journey begins in their teens and twenties, a critical time to build understanding about hormonal health. Instead of exploring their health, young women are often given temporary solutions like birth control pills. This approach has contributed to a rise in hormone-related conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, infertility, fibroids, and various autoimmune diseases. It’s not just girls—boys should have their hormones tested as well. Owing to inflammation.

3. The Hustler Shift: Dating, Career Building, and Personal Development: Ensure you undergo an annual hormone panel and inflammation assessment.

 - Schedule a yearly appointment with a gynaecologist for a Pap smear, breast exam, and any necessary consultations.

 - Actively implement stress-reduction techniques into your daily routine.

 - Acknowledge that ignoring hormone issues will not resolve them; take proactive steps now.

4. The Superstar Shift: Responding to Nature's Call for Women Aged 29-38:  Balancing the many roles women are expected to fulfil today is challenging. Eventually, our hormones can become unbalanced, reacting to the constant demands to push through and keep moving forward without taking time to recharge. This can lead to a variety of hormonal issues, including estrogen dominance, thyroid instability, unexplained weight gain, and other unwanted symptoms.

5. Managing Superstar Stress: One of the biggest obstacles to fertility is stress. This is a significant warning sign for women who are either entering motherhood or preparing to do so, especially when their careers are becoming more demanding. With increasing responsibilities and less free time, it's essential to address and manage this stress effectively. 

6. The Superwoman Shift: Embracing Empowerment: The period between the ages of 39 and 55 represents a critical phase for women, characterized by significant hormonal fluctuations associated with the onset of perimenopause and menopause. This transition may be perceived as a midlife crisis; however, it also presents an opportunity to redefine the forthcoming two decades of one’s life. Chinese medicine posts that fear and anxiety are stored in the liver, which is essential for the regulation and packaging of hormones. Consequently, it is not unexpected that hormonal stability may be disrupted during this life stage. Therefore, it is imperative to take proactive measures to gain control over hormonal health during this transition.

The book is organized into three distinct sections examining the historical context of hormonal treatments, emphasizes the critical connection between gut health and hormonal regulation, and offers practical nutritional guidance. Furthermore, Dr. Taz introduces a 30-Day Hormone Reset program designed to address common hormonal imbalances and restore vitality. 

The book has been published by HarperCollins and priced at INR 499.