Books

The Pill: are you sure it's for you?
Jane Bennett and Alexandra Pope (Allen and Unwin)

Now on sale in all good book shops. Order online from allenandunwin.com or purchase e-book from here. Also available at amazon.co.uk.

Written in a gentle, engaging style and full of real women's stories, our aim is to give women true informed choice about chemical contraception including the Pill, implants, injections, patches, vaginal rings and IUDs.

In The Pill we explore:

• side effects such as depression and mood disorders, loss of libido, headaches and migraine, weight gain, increased risk of breast cancer and brittle bones
• alternatives to chemical contraception that don't harm your health or fertility
• natural ways to heal menstrual problems rather than masking these with the Pill
• the fallout of the Pill in relationships (and the health of future children) and conversely how the menstrual cycle can be an ally to deepen your connection and sexual intimacy
• the radical idea that having a menstrual cycle is really cool and can even be empowering, and, once experienced in this way is something you wouldn't dream of eliminating with synthetic hormones.
  

7 great reasons to buy The Pill: are you sure it's for you?

1. You're a fertile woman needing reliable contraception that doesn't compromise your health and sexuality.
2. You're a man who wants to share in the responsibility of contraception.
3. You're suffering from menstrual and /or skin problems and want to know how to heal them naturally
4. You're a parent of a teenage daughter wanting to support her in her contraceptive needs as she moves toward a sexual relationship and want to fully understand the health implications (many side-effects are of particular concern for teenagers)
5. You're a health practitioner and want comprehensive information on contraception and to learn more about womens' health.
6. You're a counsellor/psychotherapist/psychologist and need to understand the impact of the Pill on womens' psychological wellbeing
7. You want to learn about period power, how to leverage it for success and how the female body is designed for ecstasy.

Read an extract from the book published in Kindred Magazine November 2008.

Read an article about The Pill from the Daily Mail.

Read a very well written, well argued article by Holly Grigg Spall for the Independent (UK) on the dangers of the Pill.

Reviews - The Pill: are you sure it's for you?

What practitioners are saying

"The fast and true road to a woman's shamanic power lies in her womb and in the flow of her menses. If that statement startles you, you need to read this book. If you agree with it, you need to read this book. Here you will find options to manage your fertility, guidance for listening to your belly, and the loving embrace of sisterhood."
- Susun Weed, author of New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way

"This is a truly enlightening and important book. It's the best book I have read so far on the subject of the pill."
- Dr Mark Atkinson, Holistic Medical Doctor & Author of Holistic Health Secrets for Women. www.drmarkatkinson.com

"This is such an important book; so many women and girls are unquestioning about their contraception choices and, until now, have not had a user-friendly, comprehensive, well-researched resource to help them decide what is best for their well-being.

"Jane Bennett and Alexandra Pope have now rectified that deficiency, with a book that every girl and woman should read. Not only does it clearly identify many of the risks that are associated with the use of the oral contraceptive pill (and other forms of hormone delivery), but talks through the alternatives and gives an inspirational message about reconnecting with the essential nature of being a cycling woman.

"Very readable, very informative and very important!"
- Francesca Naish, Naturopath, fertility expert and best selling author of Natural Fertility and the Better Babies series.

"I'm very impressed with and grateful for your book, The Pill: are you sure it's for you? It's so helpful to have this information in print to recommend to students, patients, and nieces. I love that you don't demonize men or doctors and, instead, inspire women to rise to the responsibility of their own bodies and fertility. It's very empowering."
- Dr. Claudia Welch, www.drclaudiawelch.com

"I have just finishing reading The Pill: Are You Sure It's For You? It is excellent! It is also filling a huge need, as I'm sure you know. I can't thank you enough for writing it, and for doing it so well."
- Janet R. Lang, DC Restorative Endocrinology Specialist, Consultant & Founder

"At last an easy to read, comprehensive, well-researched book about an extremely important but as yet, rarely discussed topic. I think The Pill: are you sure it's for you? is a real treasure and have complete confidence in recommending it to my patients, colleagues and friends as a great read as well as en empowering tool to help women become more in tune with the natural cycles. Each clinic day I hear stories from women who feel that they do not have enough information about more 'natural' means of contraception, as well as from women who have had unpleasant experiences with synthetic hormonal contraception. Now I can refer them to this book and know that they will begin a journey of discovery about themselves and their options."
- Wendy Dumaresq, Medical Herbalist, Natural Fertility Management Counsellor, Australia

"Thank you to Alexandra and Jane for writing The Pill: are you sure its for you? In my work with women of all ages the dominant 'problem' is disconnection with the cycles of the Earth, of life and their own menstrual cycles. But we only know what we know and this basic information has been left out of the wisdom passed down in the so-called "Woman's Body Owner's Manual" for many generations now. Our modern patriarchal culture's disrespect for the feminine is responsible for this disconnection and the Pill is one of the main causes of this problem and long lasting health concerns for everyone. The Pill : are you sure its for you?, a remarkable collection of facts, wisdom and women's stories, is what a woman, her sexual partner, her mother and her doctor need to read to make an informed choice about contraception.

"So many women bury their heads in the sand over the issue of whether to take the Pill or not. The Pill: are you sure its for you? will give them all the information they need to stop fooling themselves that taking the Pill is fine, because as this great book tells us, it's not."
- Jane Hardwicke Collings, Independent Midwife, Teacher of the Women's Mysteries, The School of Shamanic Midwifery. www.moonsong.com.au

What women are saying

"I've just finished reading your book, The Pill: are you sure it's for you?, and I am so grateful to you for the information and for the positive way in which you put everything. I am one of those women who has been on the Pill for almost 20 years and have really not paid much attention to things until a year ago when the pain and discomfort every month just got worse and worse. I have searched for information on coming off the Pill and getting into natural awareness, and I have to say, your book was the first comprehensive one I've seen and I can't thank you enough for the information and the feeling that went into writing the book - I felt like someone understood!!"
- Colleen

"I think this is a fantastic book. I even convinced my boyfriend to read it. As an athlete I have developed a great respect for my body. This book has taken that respect to an entirely new level. I only wish I had read this book earlier. It is a must read for every female."
- Niki

"Thank you so much for the book you co-authored, The Pill - are you sure it's for you?. It's so hard to find information about being on the pill and going off it….I'd already started to think about going off it after discovering I was insulin resistant 6 months ago and reading on the web that the pill is a known contributor to this. After reading your book, talking to the doctor and my partner, I decided it was worth a try. I'm not expecting miracles or massive weight loss, but I am hoping it might help me in dealing with high blood pressure and insulin. I'm lucky … I have a supportive partner who is willing to try other forms of contraception.

"Your book helped me know what to expect, and how to supplement my diet at this time. At about day 4,5 of being off the pill I got very emotional and teary, but I assured everyone it was just hormones and that soon passed! Now I feel completely normal, have lost a couple of kilos (probably fluid retention), and am trying to improve diet and exercise so the next doctor's visit is more positive!!"
- Michelle

"The Pill: Are you sure it's for you? has to be one of the best books I have ever come across. I had a very bad experience on the birth control pill 'Yasmin' which has lead to heart issues, panic disorder, allergies, hormone problems, depression and vision issues amongst many other things. I am 21 years old and was prescribed the pill as a teenager. I was never asked about family history or told about the risks related to taking the pill. Even after all this has happened, I have not yet met a doctor here in Perth that believes my story. I am apparently "too young and healthy" to have had any problems from the pill and have been told time and time again that I merely have panic disorder- although no doctor can explain my recently developed body rashes, vitiligo, photosensitivity, constant fatigue, muscle aches, digestive problems, hormonal imbalance, deteriorating vision and hearing, ectopic heartbeat and tachycardia.

"I really just wanted to thank you for writing this book. I don't feel so alone and crazy now. I KNOW that what I am experiencing is real and was the cause of this pill. So thank you for restoring my faith in myself and what I am feeling!"
- Sarina Webb

The Woman’s Quest - unfolding women’s path of power and wisdom. A 13 session self-guiding course.

Discover, reclaim and deepen into the amazing spiritual resources of your cyclical body. Revel in the blessings that come from connection to female paths to power and wisdom.

Taking you on a journey of revelation, love, healing, power and wisdom gathering, The Woman’s Quest will guide you to:

• Experience greater personal authority and sense of meaning
• Heighten your intuitive and psychic ability
• Clarify your calling and connection to the World
• Feel the grace of inspiration and renewal
• Enter a greater sense of oneness and beauty
• Feel more anchored in your own inner guidance system
• Experience a delicious affirmation of yourself as a woman
• Deepen trust in life
• Enjoy natural ecstatic states
• And, for those of you who suffer with menstrual problems, healing.

Embodying cyclical consciousness and the power of the feminine, this is an intelligent and creative 13 menstrual month spiritual journey in which the individual and the world are intimately interwoven.

To find out more about The Woman’s Quest click here to receive The Introduction for free.

The Woman’s Quest costs AU$19.95.
For Australia and New Zealand click the following links to purchase The Woman’s Quest in an electronic version (PDF file) or a hard copy.
For UK, US and Europe click here.

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Mestruazioni - La forza di guarigione del ciclo mestruale dal menarca alla menopausa.

Da sempre, le mestruazioni sono vissute dalle donne con vergogna o, nel migliore dei casi, con grande fastidio. Questo libro è un invito alla riscoperta consapevole del significato del ciclo femminile e una guida per imparare a risolvere i più comuni disturbi mestruali attraverso un percorso fatto di esercizi, consigli dietetici e rimedi naturali. Il volume si rivolge anche alle donne in età di menopausa, per aiutarle a valorizzare questo particolare momento della loro vita, ai genitori che intendano passare alle loro figlie un'esperienza positiva delle mestruazioni, e agli uomini che ne possono trarre elementi utili per una migliore comprensione della natura del ciclo femminile.

Mestruazioni costs €15,00. Click here to purchase.

Reviews - Mestruazioni

"I find your book enlightened and enlightening"
- Laura Tonelli, mother and world cookery consultant

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The Wild Genie: The Healing Power of Menstruation
(Sally Milner Publishing, 2001)

The Wild Genie presents a unique approach to menstruation that moves beyond biology to restore a dignity and deeper meaning to a woman's cyclical nature. It is a book for all women in their menstruating years who want to deepen their knowledge of, and relationship, to the cycle, and learn how to harvest the power and wisdom. Based on this empowering model, The Wild Genie is a also a self care guide for parents wanting to pass on a positive experience of menstruation to their daughters, and for men to help them gain an insight into the world of women.

The Wild Genie is currently out of print but I hope to have it back in print soon. Please email Alexandra if you want to go on a waiting list to be notified when it's for sale again.

Reviews - The Wild Genie

"...a courageous book...[that] is set to change the way a woman's menstrual cycle is viewed in Western society. Pope's vantage point has such resonance and potency as to be life-changing"
- Ruth Ostrow, The Weekend Australian

"The Wild Genie...is an interesting read for women (and their partners) in distress."
- Dr James Wright, The Sunday Telegraph

"This book...perform[s] the magic of re-framing not only menstruation but women's experience of their bodies and lives. Alexandra Pope presents an affirming, rich and poetic view of an area of our lives all too often ignored, disliked or pathologised...this author writes with clarity and gentleness, demonstrating with stories how attention to the rhythms of women's lives and working with menstrual problems can lead to increased self knowledge, esteem, sensitivity and strength...a valuable present for any women and a worthwhile read for our partners. We could all benefit by learning more about the wild genie which inhabits our lives."
- Jane Hall, Diversity magazine

"In The Wild Genie Alexandra Pope weaves her personal story, numerous case studies, and a wealth of practical knowledge into a seamless cloth of menstrual wisdom. I highly recommend this book as a source of thoughtful insight into the power of our menstrual experience."
- Lara Owen, author of Her Blood Is Gold and Honouring Menstruation.

"... a delightful conjunction of common sense and poetry. Alexandra's own experiences of the imaginative power of the Wild Genie have loosened her tongue and given birth to some rich and creative prose. I'm sure many others will respond with gratitude to her ability to put into words innate truths that are waiting to be spoken. This book is destined to become a classic."
- Francesca Naish, author of a number of books including Natural Fertility.

"This is one of those rare books that if read with the right intent will gently but persuasively change your life forever. [Pope] weaves ... individual stories into a wider cultural experience, revealing the great hidden power and meaning of menstruation ... this is the first book of its kind to consider a holistic body/mind/soul/spirit approach to healing. There is a personal courage and frankness in this writing and Pope's own experience of severe menstrual pain and her path to healing is an inspiration.

"It strikes me that many women - modern, feminist, self-aware women - still deny the power and meaning of their feminine cycle. This book highlights the ways that culture is literally written in the body and shows us how notions of linear time, rationality, competition versus co-operation are challenged by the beauty and strength of the menstrual cycle."
- Dr Anna Cole, Department of Anthropology, Goldsmiths College, University of London, amazon.com

"I strongly recommend this book to all therapists, and particularly men who often really and truthfully have little knowledge about what happens to women experientially during their menstrual cycle...Using this book with clients by tasking them to read it at home will save a great deal of time and explaining within the clinical environment and [will] allow those clients to have much more efficacy in their own development...This is a very informative and enjoyable book, which celebrates the positive experience of menstruation."
- Dr Tracie O'Keefe DCH, Professor of Sex, Gender & Sexuality, Calamus International University, Hypnosis Australia magazine

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Walking with the Genie: The Modern Woman's Menstrual Health Kit (self published, 2001)

It's hard to feel good about your cycle if you're suffering in an extreme way each month. Yet, as you take small steps and have success, you will then feel more able to enter the psychologically and spiritually rich story that the whole cycle offers.

Walking with the Genie is an ideal self care guide for those of you who are just starting out on the journey of healing and possibly feel overwhelmed by the idea of menstruation as a Good Thing. The easy to follow information is given in point form and tables. It includes the practical guidelines that appear in my book The Wild Genie as well as a handy checklist for the different types of menstrual problems including PMS, endometriosis and heavy bleeding.

An excellent companion to The Wild Genie, it also stands alone as a guide for creating menstrual well being. Health practitioners will also find it a useful resource to offer their clients.

Topics covered:

Discovering the power of self care
Those wayward hormones
Some great natural medicines
Healthy spaces
The joy of good food
More ways to pamper yourself
Check list for sufferers

To order Walking with the Genie click here

Reviews - Walking with the Genie

"Walking with the Genie is a short booklet packed with recipes and tips, a handy ready reckoner for all women wanting to maintain overall wellbeing."
The Lamp, the Nursing Association of NSW magazine.

"The health kit is just the right size to slip into a handbag for easy reference during the day"
- Jane Hall, Diversity magazine

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