Royal Women's Hospital releases The Women’s Health Book as a ‘comprehensive single source of reference’

NEW book claims to hold information and advice for every stage of your life. So that’s everything from periods, sexuality, bullying and diet to pregnancy, mental health, cancer and arthritis.

The book is ‘designed to help you participate as an equal partner in your health care’.

IN THE age of Dr Google it's all too easy to turn to the internet for health and medical advice.

But the publishers of a new guide hope that The Women's Health Book becomes a go-to source of information for Australian women at every stage of their life — from puberty, to midlife and beyond.

The Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne worked with Random House to produce this definitive guide to women's health, which contains information on everything from periods, sexuality, bullying and diet to pregnancy, mental health, cancer and arthritis.

“We at the Royal Women's Hospital believe there is a need to distil some crystal-clear drops from that flood,” writes Leslie Reti, associate professor of public health at La Trobe University, in the introduction to the guide.

“We understand from our daily clinical experience that women want authoritative, plain-language information on their health issues in an easily accessible form.

“This book is written to provide a comprehensive single source of reference.”

This book is designed to ‘distil some crystal-clear drops from that flood’.

Random House says that the book is written specifically for women by health professionals who specialise in women’s health. It says the Royal Women’s Hospital is the largest health facility specialising in women’s health in Australia and “well placed to help you look after your physical, mental and social wellbeing”.

“Here you’ll find information and advice for every stage of your life, from adolescence through to older age. Covering everything from periods, sexuality, bullying and diet to pregnancy, mental health, cancer and arthritis, this is an essential reference book for every Australian woman’s shelf.

“It is designed to help you participate as an equal partner in your health care. Armed with the facts, you will be empowered to ask more questions and then make better choices that can help to improve your health, reduce any risks you face, and even prevent future health problems.”

* The Women's Health Book: a complete guide to health and wellbeing for women of all ages, by The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, published by Random House, $35.