A Gynecologist's Second Opinion: The Questions & Answers You Need to Take Charge of Your Health (Second Edition, Revised)

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Summary: Covers various female problems, diagnosis, and treatment.
Review: A very useful book. It discusses various gynecological problems and bladder problems, diagnosis, and treatment options. Unlike many books on the subject, this book includes newer treatment options, for example, totally laproscopic hysterectomy techniques that can preserve the cervix, and allow faster recovery. Discusses the risks of various options; even includes a few statistics.

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Summary: Comprehensive Information
Review: A week ago I had a hysterectomy, with removal of the ovaries and "plumbing" repairs, all related to pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. I had ordered this book months ago, in preparation for the planned surgery. So, now that I have planned for and actually had the surgery, I am in a position to give an opinion on this book. YOU MUST READ IT! It is full of all of the questions, and more, that you would want to ask, and it is written in a very understandable way. Now that I have actually experienced the surgery, I have gone back to read the sections specifically on surgery and my problems, and the book is right on target! Everything from the description of what it is like to go into the operating room, to anesthesia, nursing care, etc., is clearly and directly stated right here for you. The book has additional chapters on other topics which weren't relevant to my current medical situation, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I am holding on to this book for future use, as it is so comprehensive. I would unconditionally recommend it!

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Summary: An owner's manual for your female parts
Review: I bought this book several years ago, and it remains a favorite recommendation for others. Information is presented clearly and is easily understandable. Furthermore, Dr. Parker has a website that you can visit to reinforce the information in the book and contact information if anything needs clarification.
A must have for women and ob/gyns alike!

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Summary: great find
Review: I found this book when searching for some books on endometriosis. What a great find!! I am an R.N. and this is a terrific book to recommend to my OB/GYN patients. It answers all sorts of questions that you've ever wondered but maybe had been afraid to ask or thought of after leaving the office.

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Summary: A great resource!
Review: I love this book. It has provided invaluable information for me about myself and changes I'm experiencing. Don't hesitate to buy it and share it with other women!

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Summary: An owner's manual for your female parts
Review: I love this book. Its like having an owners manual for your female parts. It was easy to read and covered all the problems a woman faces with their reproductive system. I bought lots of books when facing a hysterectomy, and this book was clear and to the point without scaring me to death. It will stay on my shelf because it covers common problems like fibroids, embolization, ovarian cysts, abnormal bleeding, common bladder problems, hysterectomy options. Its written clearly and helped me talk to my Dr.

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Summary: Clearly-written, balanced, accurate and current information.
Review: I was advised to have a hysterectomy and an oophorectomy even though I had no symptoms. I did a lot of research in medical and popular literature and found this book to be the best for the layperson. Regarding hysterectomies, the authors rationaly discuss the historical overuse and unnecessary reliance on the procedure without haranguing the reader or angrily attacking opposing views--a defect in a number of other books on the subject and which only serves to distract the reader from considering important facts. When necessary, the authors give their unequivocal medical opinion. When I sought a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic, the doctors there gave me the same advice I found in this book: don't have the surgery under my circumstances. I strongly recommend that any woman facing the same surgery decision I had to make to, as the book's subtitle says, take charge of your health, get a second opinion and read this book before you decide. The book also has a great deal of information about other women's health topics and it is now a permanent addition to my reference bookshelf.

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Summary: New Edition
Review: The second edition of this book is now available with entirely updated information about fibroids, embolization, ovarian cysts, abnormal bleeding, new techniques for endometrial ablation, laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy and many other alternatives to hysterectomy. A new chapter about contraception and another about common bladder problems have been added to the updated information about other common problems such as abnormal pap smears, endometriosis and pelvic pain. When you order this book, be sure to ask for the new, SECOND edition. We think you will find it an invaluable resource.

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Summary: Very valuable. Good on alternatives to hysterectomy.
Review: This book is an excellent resource on the alternatives available to women with various medical problems. It is very readable and informative. I was most interested in the chapter on fibroids. It contains a great deal of valuable information, but I hope that Dr. Parker will do a second edition to incorporate the latest information on new fibroid treatments such as uterine artery embolization and RU-486. As a patient who has been encouraged to consider hysterectomy (among other options) for an asymptomatic large fibroid by two well-respected gynecologists at a large teaching hospital, I was especially interested in his premise that hysterectomy should be a treatment of last resort.

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Summary: Well-written, compassionate, easily understandable
Review: While researching information on a personal health crisis I was facing, I happened to find Dr. William Parker's website, and ordered a copy of "A Gynecologist's Second Opinion". What a gift to the world of women's health! The book covers most reproductive health issues, such as fibroids, cysts, pap smears, cancer, surgical and non-surgical options. It is written in a question and answer format, so it was easy to find the information I needed. The information is clearly written and easy to understand, and contains numerous pen-and-ink drawings to further clarify the explanations. There is a sense of compassion toward woman's health that I hadn't found in many other books. I recommend this book to anyone who is confused about information they receive from their health care provider, to ob/gyns as a reference for their patients, and to any woman interested in her reproductive health.