Period Power by Maisie Hill

Last updated: 5 October 2026

What the Period Power book argues

Most people are taught that the cycle lasts about a month and that one week of it is inconvenient. Hill's case is that the whole month follows a pattern. Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone rise and fall in a fairly predictable order, and those changes affect energy, mood, sleep and appetite.

She splits the cycle into four phases and compares them to the seasons, so the pattern is easy to remember. Once you know which phase you are in, you can plan demanding work for the days you usually have more energy and keep quieter days for when you usually have less.

What is inside

The paperback runs to 352 pages. The first part covers the four phases one at a time: the hormones involved, the effect they tend to have, and practical changes to try. The rest of the book covers period pain, heavy bleeding, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), contraception, and how to describe symptoms so that a doctor takes them seriously.

Hill writes from her clinical practice rather than as a researcher, so the advice is practical and the tone is direct. Readers who want detailed studies behind each claim will find less of that here than in a medical text.

Who it suits

• Anyone who has never had the cycle explained properly: the four-phase model gives you words for what you have noticed.
• People whose symptoms keep getting dismissed: the chapters on pain, heavy bleeding and seeing a doctor help you describe what is happening.
• Partners and family: it is a readable way to understand what someone close to you goes through each month.

Our roundup of the best women's health books sets Period Power against four other titles and says who each one suits. For more presents that look after the person receiving them, see our self-care gift guide.

What it does not do

Period Power is a general guide, not a clinical text. It covers conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) only in outline, so if you have, or suspect, a specific condition, you will need a book or a specialist focused on that condition.

It is not a substitute for a GP either. The NHS pages on period pain and heavy periods list the symptoms that mean you should see a doctor, and those come before any book.

If you already know the biology well, much of the first half will be familiar. The planning advice is where you will find the most new material.

Key facts

Where to buy it

Amazon UK had the paperback at £12.93, sold by Amazon, with free next-day delivery on 5 October 2026. Bookshop.org had it at £14.24, and buying there from Bookshop.org supports independent bookshops. If you would rather listen, the Period Power audiobook is read by Hill herself.

Period Power on Amazon UK

FAQs

How much does the Period Power book cost in the UK?

On 5 October 2026 the paperback was £12.93 on Amazon UK and £14.24 on Bookshop.org. The RRP is £14.99.

Is Period Power worth reading?

If nobody has ever explained the menstrual cycle to you in detail, it is a readable place to start, and the four-phase model is useful for planning. If you already know the biology, the first half will feel familiar.

Does Period Power cover endometriosis or PCOS?

Both appear, but only in general terms. For a specific condition, use a book focused on it and speak to a doctor.

How long is Period Power?

352 pages in paperback, written in short sections that you can dip into rather than read straight through.

Is there a Period Power audiobook?

Yes. Maisie Hill reads it herself, and it was £6.79 on Amazon UK on 5 October 2026.

Is Period Power medical advice?

No. It is a general guide written by a practitioner. See a GP about persistent, severe or new symptoms.

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