Book excerpt: Smart women understand that taking care of their health is essential to maintaining an active lifestyle. This comprehensive guide shows you how to work with your body instead of against it to stay healthy and happy through menopause and beyond. Written by two practicing doctors who have been close girlfriends since they met during medical training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital,The Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife and Beyond includes the doctors' own personal experiences, patient stories from their medical practices, and all the information you need to age with good health, grace, and humor. Includes the information you need to: Care for your whole body to prevent common diseases Learn which health issues are normal, which are serious, and what to do about them Overcome memory loss, depression, and anxiety Understand menopause and hormone replacement therapy Nourish and protect your skin and hair Choose the right vitamin supplements for you Find out whether or not treatments like massage and acupuncture will work for you Know when to share your concerns with your doctor or healthcare practitioner Create a personal Health Maintenance Schedule to keep your health on track The Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife and Beyond is a complete, holistic, and state-of-the-art road map for any woman who is motivated to become a more effective steward of her health. The authors' relaxed, personal, and insightful style makes critical health information accessible. This book is a must-have for any woman inspired to improve her health trajectory. -Mark C. Pettus MD, FACP, medical director of the Kripalu Institute for Integrated Healing and author ofIt's All in Your Head There is no doubt that women past the age of fifty have different health issues than younger women-a fact often overlooked by many physicians. These women need to know how to care for their maturing bodies. Drs. Horn and Miller explore the full spectrum of mature women's health issues in a candid, conversational manner that integrates the body, mind, and spirit. A much-needed book. -Kevin Soden, MD, host ofHealthline on Retirement Living Television I have often wished that there were a doctor in my family I could ask for health advice. If you have shared this desire, you'll love this book. It's a practical insider's guide to what maturing women need to be thinking about, and it's written as though the authors were concerned friends talking with you. Drs. Horn and Miller have superb training and years of practical experience caring for women patients. It shows on every page of this excellent book. -Judge Glenda Hatchett, star of the nationally syndicated television program Judge Hatchett The authors' approach is accessible and entertaining. These are the doctor girlfriends you want to call because they know everything about the area of your concern-not only from their medical practices, but also from their own personal experiences. -Robin Wolaner, founder of Parenting magazine and founder and CEO of TeeBeeDee (tbd.com), an online network for people over forty This is the girlfriends' guide to taking charge of your health. And these girlfriends are doctors. A winning combination! -Ari Brown, MD, pediatrician and author ofBaby 411