Menopause: A Guide For 43 Million Women; Menopause: Taking Charge

While containing some similarities these two new programs take very different approaches to the subject of menopause. Menopause: A Guide for 43 Million Women offers a good introduction to the subject, touching on numerous related topics along the way. Drawing on interviews with a variety of professionals (an obstetrician, a marriage and family therapist, a nutritionist, etc.), the program defines menopause, outlines some of the symptoms, discusses changes in sexuality and psychology, and addresses health problems related to the reduction of estrogen levels (heart disease and osteoporosis). The lion's share of the program deals with the touchy issue of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) which has benefited many, but also can carry some side effects and may be linked to other more serious diseases. The tape also briefly covers alternative treatments such as acupuncture, biofeedback, vitamin E supplements, and herbs. Very nicely produced and very informative, the program's only drawback is host Ellen Geer's annoying bridging narration: significant pauses, pensive looks, and drawn-out pronunciation almost make you believe she's doing Hamlet as opposed to a medical information tape for the layperson. Menopause: Taking Charge is much more low-budget, with rough (and sometimes confusing) edits and hand-drawn graphics. Presented by author and psychoanalyst Veryl Rosenbaum, the program offers a more comprehensive look at menopause, with more attention paid to the symptoms, as well as to non-medical treatments such as proper nutrition, exercise, yoga, massage, etc. Rosenbaum discusses the three phases of menopause (pre-menopause, meno­pause, and post-menopause), offering both medical descriptions and comments from women who are undergoing or have experienced menopause. Little attention is given to hormone treatments or other medical problems. Menopause: A Guide for 43 Million Women is the better of the two, with its succinct approach and extensive medical information, and it is highly recommended. Menopause: Taking Charge, while it occasionally seems to wander into truly peripheral areas (wardrobe, for instance), nevertheless is more personable and more holistic in its approach to the subject, and is therefore recommended as a good complement if you can afford both. (Menopause: A Guide for 43 Million Women is available from: Van Soelen & Anderson Film Makers, 1322 Second St., Santa Monica, CA 90401; (310) 394-7094; FAX (310) 451-1541.) (Menopause: Taking Charge is available from: Video-11, P.O. Box 1429, Durango, CO 81302; (800) 843-3611.)