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Books
What we’re reading: Best women’s health books for this summer
We’ve handily selected our picks of the best women’s health books you don’t want to miss
In a world where knowledge is power, women’s health has emerged as a crucial subject that deserves utmost attention and understanding.
With the diverse and complex nature of women’s bodies and experiences, it is vital for women to have access to resources that empower them to take charge of their wellbeing. This is where the realm of women’s health books becomes an invaluable treasure trove of wisdom, compassion, and knowledge.
In need of a recommendation? These are the books we will be reading this season. Time to switch that OOO on and lose yourself in a smart summer read.
The Female Body Bible by Dr Emma Ross , Baz Moffat and Dr Bella Smith
The Female Body Bible was an instant Sunday Times Best Seller. Merging the latest science with the combined experience of its three expert authors: NHS doctor Bella Smith, sports research scientist Dr Emma Ross and athletic coach Baz Moffat, The Female Body Bible busts the myths and taboos that persist around women’s bodies.
This isn’t just a book, it’s a movement – a call to action. Every woman deserves to know more about her body and everyone, regardless of their sex, needs to know more about women’s bodies to remove the vestiges of secrecy and shame once and for all. This is the playbook of all the elements that go into getting the most out of your body, and a selection of strategies that you can try to find out what works for you and your incredible body.
Instead of prioritising how a body looks, we need to focus on how it feels and functions. When we listen to our body, understand how it works and embrace and nurture it, health, fitness and happiness will follow.
Everything You Need to Know About The Menopause (but were too afraid to ask) by Kate Muir
This is the thinking woman’s guide to the perimenopause and perimenopause by Kate Muir who also produced two ground-breaking documentaries with Davina McCall on the menopause for Channel 4.
The book is both personal and political, and debunks the myths and sloppy science around the menopause and the benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
Muir explains how women have been gaslighted for years about their symptoms, and told to “keep calm and carry on”, yet we now know that menopause can seriously affect mental health, with symptoms like depression, anxiety and sleeplessness.
The memory loss and brain fog which the majority of women suffer in perimenopause and menopause can really lower confidence at work, and in a UK survey one in ten women said they had left jobs due to menopause symptoms. That’s got to change.
The book also contains interviews with a diverse range of women about their experiences, and provides advice for those women who don’t want to take HRT. For those who do, there is good news: HRT doesn’t just prevent symptoms – it also helps lower the risk of osteoporosis, dementia and heart disease, as well as improving women’s sex lives.
The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause by Dr Louise Newson
The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause covers the key facts about hormones, their importance, and their effects on our bodies. It explores family histories and their effects on menopause, the complete guide to HRT, libidos, mental and physical health, how menopause affects our careers and relationships and so much more.
The book contains exclusive new medical research and answers the questions women most often ask Louise in her surgery. There are real stories from women who want their experiences to benefit others. And there is clear advice from other medical experts in related fields including neurology, nutrition, psychology, and oncology.
Dr Louise Newson says: “A lack of knowledge about menopause and access to treatment has left women needlessly suffering for decades. Every day I receive so many messages from those who are struggling to cope and are desperate for answers.
“I have written this book to help women to feel informed, empowered and confident about getting the best menopause care, regardless of their age, background, or health history.
“From symptoms to treatments, and taking a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, this book is going to take away the guesswork for those going through menopause. I want this book to transform the way we think about perimenopause and menopause and to help everyone who reads it.”
Know Your Endo by Jessica Murnane
Endometriosis isn’t just about having “painful periods.” It can be a complex, debilitating, and all-encompassing condition that impacts one’s mental health, relationships, and career. Endo affects one in 10 women and girls across the globe, but even after receiving a diagnosis, many are still left in the dark about their condition.
In Know Your Endo , Jessica Murnane breaks through the misinformation and gives essential guidance, encouragement, and practical lifestyle tools to help those living with endo have more control and feel better in their bodies.
In this empowering and heartfelt guide, Jessica, who suffers from endo herself, shares a progressive five-week plan focused on learning a new management tool each week. Including sections on diet (with recipes!), movement, products, and personal-care rituals, Know Your Endo eases readers into a new lifestyle and arms them with the information needed to truly understand their condition.
Insights and help from endometriosis doctors and experts are woven throughout, as well as first-person accounts of how endo can impact every aspect of your life.
Finally, there’s a resource for all people suffering in silence from this chronic condition offering what they need hope.
Moody: A 21st Century Hormone Guide by Amy Thomson
There is a secret inside you which, once you understand it fully, has the capacity to unlock untold potential. Once you learn the science of your hormones, you will be able to harness it forever.
Hormones were something Amy Thomson, founder and CEO of the women’s health app and tech service Moody, never paid attention to, until one day her periods stopped and what had been an inconvenience each month became a barometer for her body’s health and mental happiness.
When she discovered that her hormonal burnout was driven by stress, she quit her job and focused on trying to understand how her body worked, to establish why and how she had pushed herself too far.
In this guide, Amy shares the research and science behind how our hormones work for twenty-first-century survival, how understanding them can help you build better and healthier routines, and why the systems and cycles inside us are an invisible but powerful force.
With insights from nutritionists, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, personal trainers and others, Moody provides a holistic and practical blueprint for understanding your hormones and optimising your life around them.
Up To Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes by Christine Yu
Over the last 50 years, women have made extraordinary advances in athletics. More women than ever are playing sports and staying active longer.
Whether they’re elite athletes looking for an edge or enthusiastic amateurs, women deserve a culture of sports that helps them training programmes and equipment designed to work with their bodies, as well as guidelines for nutrition and injury prevention that are based in science and tailored to their lived experience.
Yet too often the guidance women receive is based on research that fails to consider their experiences or their bodies. So much of what we take as gospel about exercise and sports science is based solely on studies of men.
The good news is, this is finally changing. Researchers are creating more inclusive studies to close the gender data gap. They’re examining the ways women can boost athletic performance, reduce injury, and stay healthy.
Sports and health journalist Christine Yu disentangles myth and gender bias from real science, making the case for new approaches that can help women athletes excel at every stage of life, from adolescence to adulthood, through pregnancy, menopause, and beyond.
She explains the latest research and celebrates the researchers, athletes, and advocates pushing back against the status quo and proposing better solutions to improve the active and athletic lives of women and girls.
Most books tell stories. OPULIS: Women Powering Microsoft’s Trillion-Dollar Shift builds legacies.
This collector’s edition coffee table masterpiece honours 50 women who powered Microsoft’s trillion-dollar shift.
They democratised computing, reimagined leadership, and turned platforms into pathways for generations to follow.
But here’s why owning it isn’t just about having a book on your shelf. It’s about status. Credibility. Legacy. And impact.
Top 10 Reasons You Need OPULIS
- A Collector’s Edition of Beauty : Designed as a coffee table artifact. Owning it signals you value art, legacy, and leadership.
- Instant Bragging Rights Upgrade: Walk into any boardroom with OPULIS and people know you’ve got access to trillion-dollar playbooks.
- Influence by Association: You’re not just reading about leaders you’re learning directly from 50 Microsoft trailblazers.
- A Respect Magnet : Owning OPULIS shows you invest in wisdom. Respect follows instantly.
- 150 Field-Tested GTM Strategies: Real plays. No fluff. These are Microsoft-tested strategies you can apply directly to your role, company, or career.
- Your Mirror of Possibility: These women started just like you. Reading their journeys builds instant belief: “If they did it, so can I.”
- The Ultimate Coaching Companion: Mentors and leaders will use OPULIS as ready-made case studies, frameworks, and sparking conversations.
- Respected Leadership Pathways: This isn’t inspiration alone. It’s the roadmap to navigating challenges, unlocking sponsors, and scaling influence.
- Archival Power: OPULIS is archived by Microsoft. Owning it means you hold a piece of tech history.
- Legacy & Impact in One Purchase: Every copy fuels AI scholarships. Your purchase directly helps unlock 1,000 AI careers by 2030.
Advanced Praises by Industry Leaders & Allies
“OPULIS is a powerful tribute to the women whose visionary leadership helped shape Microsoft’s trillion-dollar transformation.
“It’s more than a book—it’s a movement to democratize opportunity, inspire inclusive innovation, and ignite the next generation of AI leaders.” – Billy Anders, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft, Cloud + AI
“If you’ve ever wondered how trillion-dollar markets are built, look no further.
“The women of OPULIS did it, and this book showcases how it was done and how it will be done next!” – Pat Sullivan, Global Digital Engineering Lead, EY
“Legacy isn’t about fame. It is about impact. OPULIS proves that when women lead with purpose, we all rise, open doors, and keep them open for the next generation.” – Coco Brown, Founder & CEO, Athena Alliance
The OPULIS Legacy Bundle: 5-Pack Offer
Don’t just own OPULIS—elevate yourself and four others into the most influential network of our time.
Why? Because power multiplies when it’s shared.
- Keep one as your collector’s edition.
- Gift one to your boss or sponsor (instant credibility).
- Gift one to a mentee or rising leader (they’ll never forget it).
- Gift one to a client or partner (strengthen trust and status).
- Gift one to a family member or friend (legacy in action).
With the 5-Pack, you’re not buying books—you’re building a circle of people who think, act, and lead at the highest level.
Pre-Order by October 20, 2025 and Unlock Bonuses
- 5 Collector’s Edition Copies of OPULIS
- Iconic Leadership Assessment (for 5 people)
- Recognition on the Official OPULIS Page
- “Featured Supporter” Digital Badge
- Spotlight on Women in Cloud’s Global Channels
- Exclusive Mentoring Session with OPULIS Honourees
- Contribution to the AI Innovator Scholarship Program (help ignite 1,000 AI careers by 2030)
The Personal Impact of Owning OPULIS
- Status: You belong in elite leadership circles.
- Respect: You’re seen as a champion of women’s leadership and AI innovation.
- Influence: You and your circle gain access to Microsoft’s trillion-dollar playbooks.
- Legacy: Each book you gift creates future leaders.
- Exclusivity: Early adopters unlock recognition, access, and lifetime bragging rights.
Claim your 5-Pack today. Don’t just buy a book, create a movement.
Launch Date: October 28, 2025.
Pre-Order Deadline for Bonuses: October 20, 2025.
Entrepreneur
Women in Cloud unveils 50-year tribute to women driving Microsoft’s trillion-dollar market shift
As part of celebrating Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary, Women in Cloud, with endorsement from Microsoft and the Microsoft Alumni Network, proudly unveils OPULIS, a stunning global coffee table book honouring 50 women whose leadership, innovation, and vision helped shape Microsoft’s evolution and who are now championing the democratisation of computing and AI access for the next generation.
Launched under the #empowHER50 campaign, OPULIS will debut globally during Microsoft Giving Month in October 2025. The making of OPULIS was never about creating a vanity list. It is a legacy tribute, a powerful signal to every Microsoft woman, today and for the next 50 years: You belong. You have an impact. Your story matters.
Unlike traditional honours based on status, the women featured in OPULIS were selected for their significance and their ability to drive meaningful transformation within Microsoft and across the broader tech industry.
Their stories are preserved not only in print but also through purpose: net proceeds of book sales will fund Microsoft AI Certification Scholarships for women, helping underserved talent access the AI-powered economy and shape the future of technology.
Built on the Philosophy of Significance
OPULIS was not created to celebrate status, but significance. Each honouree was selected based on her ability to create systemic change, drive measurable outcomes, take responsibility for opening doors, and engage deeply in building inclusive access to innovation.
This guiding philosophy is rooted in the FIRE Framework (Focus, Impact, Responsibility, Engagement) ensures the stories in OPULIS reflect transformational leadership that spans decades and disciplines.
Chaitra Vedullapalli, Executive Producer of OPULIS & President, Women in Cloud, said: “OPULIS captures the stories of Microsoft’s women who democratized access and transformed the lives of billions. These are the architects of access, the builders of innovation, and the catalysts for an inclusive AI future. Their stories inspire and ignite action.”
A Permanent Chapter in Microsoft’s History
OPULIS will be officially archived in the Microsoft Archives and Museum, serving as a timeless tribute to the women who helped shape the company’s journey and our collective future. This will preserve the stories of the women who helped shape the company’s culture, technology, and global influence.
Letty Cherry, General Manager, Image & Culture, Microsoft, said: “OPULIS is a permanent marker in Microsoft’s historical canon honouring leaders whose contributions deserve to be seen, studied, and remembered.”
Launching During Microsoft Giving Month With Purpose
Timed to coincide with the 2025 Microsoft Giving Campaign, OPULIS will mobilise global attention to fuel impact. Each book purchased directly supports AI skilling scholarships, enabling hundreds of women to access the tools and readiness needed to lead in the next wave of cloud and AI innovation.
Nathalie D’Hers, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Digital, said: “This book is about purpose-driven legacy. OPULIS ensures that the stories of these remarkable women build access for others. It is a celebration with intention and impact.”
Manuela Papadopol, Executive Director, Microsoft Alumni Network, added: “OPULIS is the fuel for alumni and future changemakers. A powerful nod to the women who built Microsoft’s foundation and a wink to those about to shake things up next.” –
Campaign Milestones
- Global Launch: As part of its legacy-building mission, OPULIS will be officially archived in the Microsoft Archives and Museum, preserving these stories for generations to come. The global book launch will take place on October 28, 2025, during Microsoft Giving Season.
- Funding the Future: Through its “Books to Scholarships” model, OPULIS is also a purpose-driven movement: every 10 books sold funds one AI Certification Scholarship for women, with a goal of igniting 1,000 AI careers by 2030, further cementing OPULIS as a legacy with purpose.
- Global OPULIS Book Launch Tour: This tour kicks off in India on December 3, 2025, celebrating honourees and advancing the mission of economic access and digital equity.
- Honouree Engagement: Award ceremonies, book signings, and thought leadership platforms
Congratulations to the 50 Honourees!
Aliesha Pulliam, Emcee, Speaker, Actress and Founder of Career Divas Collective
Anna Kopp, Microsoft Digital Lead Germany, Microsoft
Aparana Gupta, Principal Software Engineering Manager, Microsoft
Brea Starmer, Chief Executive Officer, Lions & Tigers
Chaitra Vedullapalli President, Women in Cloud
Claudia Martinez, Global Director of AI Marketing, SAP
Cloe Zeng, Chief Growth Officer, The Gottman Institute
Debbie Uttecht, Partner Marketing Lead, Microsoft
Dee Dee Walsh, Developer & AI Marketing, Growth Acceleration Partners
Doher Drizzle Pablo, Founder, Techbayanihan
Elaine Q. Chang, Technical Advisor to Chief Communications Officer, Microsoft
Erin Chapple (Bourke-Dunphy), Corporate Vice President, Commercial Solution Areas, Microsoft
Gavriella Schuster, Managing Director, Gavriella Schuster, LLC
Gena G., Senior Product Manager, Microsoft
Helen Fanucci, Founder & CEO, Pipeline Power
Jacqui Miranda, Head of Asia Corporate Segment, Microsoft
Jane Boulware, Chief Marketing Officer, The Gottman Institute
Jenny Lay-Flurrie Vice President, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft
Jessica Rafuse Director of Strategic Partnerships & Policy, Microsoft
Joanne Harrell, Board member, Advisor, First Lady of City of Seattle and Adjunct Professor, UW Foster School of Business
Karen Bergin, Senior Director, Employee Engagement and Disaster Response, Microsoft
Karen Fassio, Principal, Abundant Marketing Collective
Karen Cone, Venture Partner, Board Director, Advisor, Mastersfund™, Fyrii, AffableBPM Corporation, Pagedip
Kate Maxwell, General Manager, Worldwide Public Sector, Microsoft
Kathy D., Director, Accessibility, Accommodations & Inclusive Experiences, Microsoft
Lakecia Gunter, Tech Executive and Corporate Board Director, IDEX
Letty Katchen Cherry , Partner and GM, Image & Culture, Microsoft
Lotte Cordt Ihlemann, Principal Product Manager, Microsoft
Maggie Chan Jones, Corporate Board Director BT Group , Sage , Ontinue , (USTA) United States Tennis Association
Manuela Papadopol, Executive Director, Microsoft Alumni Network
Melissa Mulholland, Chief Executive Officer, Crayon
Michele Plaia, AI Business Solutions Sales Leader, Microsoft
Michelle Pruitt, Chief Digital and AI Officer, PLIXXA
Michelle Thomas, President & CEO, MichelleFThomas LLC
Miri Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, Empressa AI
Monika Mital Gupta , Partner GM, Engineering, Microsoft
Nathalie D’Hers, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Digital, Microsoft
Nickie Smith, ACC President, Be Bold for Change USA
Nitasha Chopra Vice President and COO, Business Applications, Microsoft
Njideka U. Harry, Founder, Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) & Global VP & Leadership Group Member, Ashoka
Patti Thibodeau, Archivist, Microsoft
Sabina Nawaz CEO Nawaz Executive Consulting
Shannon Huffman Polson, Author, CEO, Veteran, The Grit Institute
Sharmila Rathinam, Founder and CEO, EatHappy
Sherlaender Phillips, Founder and CEO, FullCircle Leadership Group
Simi Olabisi, Director, Azure AI, Microsoft
Stacy Tatem (She/Her), Founding Member, Empressa AI
Tameka M., Director, Microsoft
Trish Millines Dziko, Co-founder and Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation
Yanna Andronopoulou, General Manager Greece Cyprus Malta, Microsoft
Now Available: The OPULIS Network Special: 5-Book Bundle
You can hold a piece of history by pre-ordering bundles of OPULIS by Oct 20th. Individual book orders will be available starting Oct 25th, 2025.
You can reach out to our VIP relationship manager at partner@womenincloud.com and we will customise the perfect bulk orders for you.
Visit our website for more information: https://womenincloud.com/opulis
#WICxAI Innovator Microsoft Certification Program
Through our unique Books to Scholarships model, every 10 copies of OPULIS purchased funds 1 full scholarship, delivering next-generation AI skills to underrepresented talent worldwide with a goal of igniting 1,000 AI careers by 2030. To unlock access for women across the world, this scholarship will now be offered completely free or 50% subsidised based on eligibility. Apply before Oct 30th, 2025 to be eligible. The first cohort of 100 members will start on Nov 15th, 2025.
To learn more: https://womenincloud.com/workforce/
Want to be involved? Join the book launch team and help amplify these untold stories of impact. Learn more and get involved today!
Books
Five women’s health books to read this summer
Here are the women’s health books you don’t want to miss this summer
There is nothing quite as decisive as the summer reading list. With a mix of buzzy new releases and beloved bestsellers, we have the perfect edit of women’s health books for you.
Memorial Sloan Kettering oncologist and medical historian, Dr Elizabeth Comen, draws back the curtain on the collective medical history of women to reintroduce us to our whole bodies, how they work, the actual doctors and patients whose perspectives and experiences laid the foundation for today’s medical thought and the many oversights that still remain unaddressed.
With a physician’s knowledge and empathy, Comen follows the road map of the eleven organ systems to share unique and untold stories, drawing upon medical texts and journals, interviews with expert physicians, as well as her own experience treating thousands of women.
Empowering women to better understand ourselves and advocate for care that prioritises healthy and joyful lives, All in Her Head is written with humour, wisdom and deep scientific and cultural insight.
Everything You Need to Know About the Pill (but were too afraid to ask) is the thinking-woman’s guide to contraception, bringing you answers to all those questions that have been hidden behind a veneer of misplaced shame, bad science and centuries of patriarchy.
Muir draws on interviews with the leading medical experts in the field, interlaced with her own journey with different types of contraception and the personal stories of women from all walks of life.
She also questions why the current medical establishment is getting contraception so wrong, as she debunks the myths and exposes the sloppy science and headlines that have had a negative impact on women’s health in the last decades.
This uniquely inclusive approach to finding yourself in the perimenopause years draws on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine that women from all backgrounds can use to live their best lives.
Finding Me in Menopause seeks to help women identify and manage stress, understand how sleep affects our hormones, the role of exercise in our lives, and the importance of maintaining positive social connections for our mental health.
It features dietary support, which draws on the science and power of plant-based nutrition, and each chapter concludes with a “Menopause Mantra”, a list of the top self-help tips to implement and a positive affirmation.
In Eve, Cat Bohannon answers questions scientists should have been addressing for decades. With boundless curiosity and sharp wit, she covers the past 200 million years to explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex.
Bohannon’s findings, including everything from the way C-sections in the industrialised world are rearranging women’s pelvic shape to the surprising similarities between pus and breast milk, promises to change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens have become such a successful and dominant species.
This revised and expanded edition of Dr Louise Newson’s bestselling book has all the information and advice you need to understand the impact of low hormone levels on your perimenopause symptoms as well as on your future health post-menopause.
There’s an up-to-date guide to HRT doses, how to deal with HRT availability fluctuations, new research on testosterone and its benefits beyond libido boosting and startling findings on how low hormones can increase our propensity towards addictive behaviours.
New interviews with experts, including Dr Lisa Mosconi, discuss pertinent questions, such as whether HRT can reduce the risk of dementia, and new case studies from Newson Health reveal essential research on how hormone imbalance can impact the neurodivergent brain.
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