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Summary: Good ideas but don't stop here
Review: After sudden, severe onset of hot flashes and night sweats at age 49, I made an appointment to see my GYN but I wanted to see if any stopgap measures could help until he could see me in 2 months. I researched this subject on Amazon and liked the reviews for this book. I set out to try Ms. Gittleman's suggestions. I had already been on a lower carb, higher protein diet (like she recommends) for 2 years, and that's a big help at any lifestage. I had also been craving fish like crazy for 4-5 months and guess what? Her first suggestion for supplements to try included the essential fatty oils you get from fish! (The fish craving went away in a week.) I was still having major hot flashes and night sweats so I went on to the progesterone cream and that's what gradually damped down the hot flashes and sweats, but labeling says 21 days on, 7 days off, and the symptoms came roaring back in the 7 off. Bottom line: The supplements, diet, and cream were are all good, but they don't replace the estrogen your body made all your teen and adult years. They also will not give any protection against bone loss and heart attacks. If your body stopped making another critical hormone, like insulin for instance, how long would you try to treat the symptoms using supplements? I went on HRT after seeing my doc and in less than a week, a whole raft of symptoms that had been creeping up on me over the last 1-5 years are gone! Depression, apathy, poor short term memory, inability to do focused, higher level analytical thinking, runny guts, poor sleeping, major aching in joints like knees and feet: all gone. Energy level is way up, too. If you're having hot flashes, see your doc: it's a sign your body has stopped making estrogen, or may be making it only intermittently. Risk of HRT? Typical reproductive cancers go from 45 per 1,000 untreated women between 50-70, to 47 for 1,000 women on HRT between 50-70. Upside of HRT? Quality of life may improve dramatically depending on your symptoms, both mental and physical. Even if you can tolerate the symptoms without HRT, you're still at risk for bone breaks, loss of height due to bone breakdown, and greater heart attack risk. Since you're consulting books, consider consulting your doc. If you try HRT and don't like it, you can always quit! I plan to continue using the oils Ms. Gittelman suggests (flaxseed, evening primrose, E), but for me, all the self-help in the world wasn't going to get me where HRT did, which is back to the me I enjoyed being .
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Summary: Manage Your Perimenopause Safely, Simply, Naturally
Review: An estimated 35 million women are now in perimenopause--a period of about 10 years of profound hormonal, physiological, and psychological changes leading up to menopause. Its symptoms are often mistaken, even by doctors, for signs of stress, anxiety, or heart disease. In many cases, powerful medications such as Prozac are needlessly prescribed. Why are so few medical professionals knowledgeable about this very important phase in a woman's life? And what do women need to know to get themselves through perimenopause? Finally, some answers to help women alleviate the often misunderstood symptoms of perimenopause. BEFORE THE CHANGE: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause by Ann Louise Gittleman offers a safe, effective, natural alternative for both women and the medical community with its clear definition of the perimenopause; thorough exploration of popular hormonal treatments and fads (hormone replacement therapy, DHEA, soy products, wild yam root, and more); and a detailed guide to diet, exercise, and natural treatments that can help women take control of their own health during this transitional time. Menopause is associated with a drop in estrogen; perimenopause, by contrast, is brought on by a decline in progesterone. Women as young as 35 experience the effects of this decline--sudden bloating, missed periods, insomnia, decreased sex drive. While this can be alarming, we all have powerful resources for treating ourselves right at our fingertips. Many simple changes to diet can clear symptoms immediately. Sometimes the addition of a nutritional supplement will do the trick. The first book of its kind, BEFORE THE CHANGE is a do-it-yourself guide to alleviating perimenopausal symptoms, including nine simple "Peri Zappers," her safe, all natural remedies. It also happens to serve as a kickoff for a weight loss program. Gittleman believes that we gain weight because we're eating the wrong foods for our body. When eating the meal plan based on the 40/30/30 concept (40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fats, 30 percent protein), the body finds its natural low weight. BEFORE THE CHANGE offers invaluable advice for losing--and keeping off--those extra pounds, while heading off the worst symptoms of menopause before they start.
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Summary: GREAT INFORMATION FOR EVERY WOMAN OVER 40
Review: Ann Louise Gittleman has outlined important information that every woman over 40 should know! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and this book can be a great start for gaining the knowledge and power to take control of your health. Too few doctors have this knowledge or want it, so a woman must have it so she can discuss it with a doctor who is comfortable with nutrition and health. Dr. Edward Conley author SAFE ESTROGEN: REDUCE YOUR BREAST CANCER RISK BY 90%
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Summary: The 10 peri-zappers are concise and they work !
Review: As a woman of only 42, who certainly wasn't ready to risk hormone replacement so soon, I had no idea there was such valuable information available. Before you hit the hormones, definitely read this book ! I must confess that I was anxious for the quick cure, so I concentrated on the zappers rather than the diet suggestions initially. PeriZapper #2 eliminated the hot flashes within 48 hours! I am now systematically trying to add an herbal PeriZapper every 2-3 weeks, if the book indicates that it might address my symptoms. I have now read thoroughly the dietary information about the need for certain essential fats and the need to balance carbs vs. proteins. I have incorporated these suggestions into my diet. If you're feeling poorly as a result of perimenopause, BUY THIS BOOK ! You will NOT have to follow every single suggestion to achieve relief.
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Summary: I feel years younger!!
Review: Before I read this book I was losing two weeks of my life every
month! I was almost losing my job from calling in "sick" and my
low energy level and migraine headaches were keeping me from giving my all at home and work! I have been to several doctors
and have had my hormone levels checked and everything showed me
as "normal." I am now on the flaxseed oil and the progesterone
cream! I feel so much younger! I am even losing the fat deposits
on my thighs! What a godsend! I recommend this book!
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Summary: A MUST READ FOR EVERY WOMAN 35 AND OVER!
Review: Brief synopsis - After feeling lousy (headaches, mood swings, anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc., etc., etc.)since the age of 37 (now 43), I had tried everything conceivable to help myself to feel better with minimal and non-lasting results. In early January I happenened to come across this book on the net. I immediately purchased this book and then devoured it in all of 2 days, practially highlighting 2/3's of it. I can't tell you how many times, while reading it, I would say to myself, "why don't doctor's and Gyn's tell you this stuff? " I've been following the plan religously for almost 4 weeks, and ladies, I can hardly believe it myself, but I haven't felt this good in 6 years! To say I am feeling 100% better would not be an exaggeration. All of my sypmtoms of perimenopuase have improved dramatically. Doctors and Gyn's PLEASE READ THIS BOOK so you can be of better help to your patients AND advertise this book in your offices - it will enable all woman to better help themselves during this time of their lives and you just may find yourselves writing less prescriptions for anti-anxiety and anti-depressive drugs (yeah, I know, the pharmaceutical companies don't like to hear that). Ladies, do yourself the biggest favor and RUN, don't walk, and get your hands on this book -and THANK YOU Ann Louise Gittleman for all of your expertise, dedication, compassion and common sense for writing a book like this that was so long overdue.
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Summary: Ladies, buy this book now!
Review: Don't wait until your are miserable, read this now so you can stave off those hormone imbalances before they get really bad. I've been doing most of the Peri-Zappers for years before I knew of this book, so I know they do work. Never think you're too young to worry about hormones. Once you begin menstruation your hormones will fluctuate. I gave flax oil to a 19 year old friend who was in the middle of her period and having a *bad* day...and I literally watched her return to a normal, relaxed state. So there are natural remedies out there that actually work without loading you up on chemicals-like Midol does. Anne Louise has done a great job of basically making a menopause bible that is easy to read, easy to understand and easy to follow. When your done hand it to your husband, brother, or any male relative you are close to so they can understand what we go through. Buy this book now and start feeling better! :)
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Summary: my husband bought me this book and I am grateful
Review: Even though I never wanted to admit it, I have been in full fledged perimenopause with symptoms like anxiety, irritability and insomnia. This book probably saved my life and my marriage. I take the recommended flax seed oil, evening primrose oil, and magnesium faithfully and my husband says I am a changed person.
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Summary: Pick this up and finally know what's been happening to you!
Review: Ever since I turned 35 I had mood swings, irregular periods, many sleepless nights, and, as a result, a high level of anxiety. I decided to seek help when I was in my 37th year, and came upon a psychiatrist who put me on Paxil.I began to feel myself again; better sleep, less anxious, more "upbeat" again, but after about 6 months or so, the old symptoms came back again. So, of course, my dosage was raised, and everything seemed to level off once again. Now, two years of being on Paxil, I am convinced that I do not have what I've been told to be GAD (Generalized-or General- Anxiety Disorder), nor Depression. I am almost 38, two years older than when my mother had started her "odd behavior" (incidentally, she was also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder). And I'm still having the same problems. Thank goodness for the Internet, as I delved further into my symptoms in search for the truth, especially now that I've started had unpredictable menstrual cycles for the past 4 months. Everything - the mood swings, the irregular periods, the anxiety, insomnia, and other things - all pointed to...you got it, perimenopause. I have just finished reading this book an older female friend lent to me, and have bought my own copy to pass along to my younger female friends, should they ever have a need for it. I highly recommend Ann Louise Gittleman's book to mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, nieces, friends...even to concerned husbands whose wives are frustrated that they don't understand what is happening to them. Pick it up, read it front to back - it's the best book on one of women's health issues to come out on the market in a very long time!
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Summary: Excellent read for anyone who suspects hormones are an issue
Review: Finally, a coherent explanation of hormones and their effects. I especially appreciated the holistic remedies and diet advice. After 4 days of following Ms. Gittleman's diet, I feel significantly better with new energy. Although menopause is years away, my diet was creating a rollercoaster of hormone imbalance and the price I have been paying unnecessary. I am looking forward to further improvement and recommend this book highly. If you have low energy maybe it's all the low fat food you are eating! The glycemic indicators on different foods was shocking. In retrospect, it all makes perfect sense. Thank you Ms. Gittleman for an excellent read with pertinent advice.
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