Business & Finance Club Magazine - Beauty & Health -- California resident Staness Jonekos had a miserable journey through menopause but after educating herself and making some changes, managed to come through unscathed.

Now, at 52, Jonekos is in the best shape of her life, and she wants to share her tips with other women.

Jonekos, one of the original executive producers who launched the Oxygen media network co-founded by Oprah Winfrey, is co-author of The Menopause Makeover, a 12-week program that goes beyond hormones.

She answers a few questions about menopause and about the book.

Q: What was your experience like?

A: Traumatic! I gained 30 pounds. My husband was about to marry Bridezilla.

I was in a bad way, and there was no one book that had the information I needed. I found a lot of books on menopause and books on fashion and books on diets. But there was nothing under one roof.

I needed a plan that had everything under one roof — like I had when planning my wedding.

Q: What was the most confusing part about what you were going through?

A: The word “natural.” That's confusing when it comes to hormones. All hormones are coming from the same ingredients, whether it's bio-identical or manufactured, end of story. I was told to rub estrogen everywhere; it's the fountain of youth. My hormone levels went seven times what they should have been.

Q: The first couple of chapters focus on hormone replacement therapy. What's your take-home message on this topic?

A: It simplifies the confusion over hormone therapy and provides alternatives to hormone therapy. It offers options for all women so that you can talk to your doctor and design a plan for you.

Q: Can a marriage survive menopause?

A: If we're educated, both men and women, we can get through it together. I'm closer to my husband today than when we got married, and I was in the throes of menopause then. We made it through, but women won't have to go through what I went through if they just follow the plan.