Natural Hormone Balance for Women : Look Younger, Feel Stronger, and Live Life with Exuberance

Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have Book for Women
Review: This is a GREAT book for women of all ages with hormonal problems. There is simply no other book like it. The author goes into great detail about actual suggested starting doses of bioidentical hormones for different symptoms, and also gives the names and addresses of compounding pharmacies. Because compounded bioidentical hormones are such a new idea for most doctors, you will probably find it impossible to locate a physician with this much experience in prescribing hormones. Reading this book, by a male doctor who actually likes and respects women!, will give you the knowledge to ask for what you need from your own doctor. I had such extreme menopausal symptoms and such bad side effects from the typical "one-size-fits-all" estrogen dose, that I had to ask my doctor to prescribe separate small doses of the two stronger estrogens: estradiol and estrone. Then I used trial and error to discover the correct dose of each for me. The two estrogens are not alike in their effects or the length of time they last. Estradiol is about 12 times stronger than estrone, which is like a longer-lasting storage supply of estrogen that can be brought out when needed. Tiny .05 mg differences in dosage were the difference between comfort and misery for me. As Dr. Reiss says, no doctor can really tell a woman what dose of hormones she needs, any more than a doctor can tell a diabetic what dose of insulin he needs. Only a woman's body can tell her what dose of hormones she needs. Diabetics have their glucometers to guide them, but we menopausal women just have to go by our symptoms. However, your body will tell you within 3 days whether you are on the right track. With the typical prescription from the typical doctor, you might have to spend 3 months suffering with an incorrect dose, so buy this book and learn what your doctor probably doesn't know. Then give the book to your doctor to read.

Rating:
Summary: No, you don't need Prozac
Review: This is an amazing book. After going to God knows how many Doctor's and being prescribed Prozac and birth control pills (with horrible side effects!!) this book was a God send. It described all of the symptoms I have been having for the past several years which have only been getting worse and excellent information on how to treat them. I have finally found another Doctor who practices Natural Hormone REplacement and hopefully she will be more compassionate (now the hard part now is getting an appointment early enough). I would recommend all women who are constantly being told that all their tests are coming out "normal" therefore your misery is all in your head to please, please, please, read this book. It is a lifesaver!!

Rating:
Summary: smart decisions
Review: Women my age -- and the physicians who serve us -- need this information to make smart decisions about hormones. Until I read this book I never knew that some standard hormone prescriptions have the potential to cause heart problems in women. This book tells me how to use natural hormones, and why, and how to make my physician a partner in achieving hormonal balance. I have never found these practical details in any other book.