What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause (TM) The Breakthrough Book on Natural Hormone Balance

by Lee, John R.; Hopkins, Virginia

• ISBN13: 9780446691420
• ISBN10: 0446691429
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-01
• Publisher: Balance

Summary

The classic bestseller that has helped nearly a million women discover the answer to menopause is now revised and updated. Hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, low sex drive, hair loss, fibroids, and osteoporosis-most women will experience these or other hormone- related problems at some point as they age. In clear, easy-to-understand language, an internationally recognized expert explains the benefits of using progesterone and other natural hormones to reduce or eliminate menopausal symptoms safely and effectively-without the harmful side effects created by commonly used synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Dr. Lee explains why conventional HRT drugs can be harmful and offers an easy-to-follow non-prescription 'Hormone Balance' program that tells readers how to stay energized, strong, and sexually vigorous during the menopausal years and beyond.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD	xi
INTRODUCTION	xvii
PART I THE INNER WORKINGS OF HORMONE BALANCE	1	(122)
CHAPTER 1 The Crux of the Matter: Menopausal Politics and Women's Hormone Cycles	3	(7)
Menopausal Politics	3	(2)
What Is Menopause?	5	(1)
The Rise and Fall of Hormones During the Menstrual Cycle	5	(2)
Premenopause	7	(3)
CHAPTER 2 The Dance of the Steroids	10	(9)
The Cast of Major Players	11	(2)
Choreographing the Dance	13	(1)
The Journey Along the Steroid Hormone Pathway	14	(1)
The Dance of the Steroids	15	(1)
Four Movements: The Flow of Steroids in Our Bodies	16	(3)
CHAPTER 3 The History of Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Estrogen Myth	19	(16)
Menopause Becomes a Disease	20	(2)
The Truth Behind the Hoopla	22	(4)
Perpetuating the Estrogen Myth	26	(4)
The HRT Chickens Come Home to Roost	30	(5)
CHAPTER 4 What Is Estrogen?	35	(15)
How and Where Estrogens Are Made and Used in the Body	38	(1)
Estrogen and Cell Division	39	(1)
How Estrogen Affects a Woman's Body	40	(1)
Estrogen Dominance	41	(2)
The Myth of Estrogen in Hormone Replacement Therapy	43	(3)
What Are "Normal" Estrogen Levels?	46	(4)
CHAPTER 5 Hormone Balance, Xenobiotics, and Future Generations	50	(17)
Turning on the Hormone Switch	51	(2)
The Canary in the Coal Mine?	53	(1)
The Impact on Future Generations	54	(2)
Safe Living in a Sea of Estrogens	56	(2)
Pesticides and Plastics	58	(1)
Solvents	59	(4)
Xenoestrogens and Future Generations	63	(2)
If You Want to Know More	65	(2)
CHAPTER 6 What Is Natural Progesterone?	67	(18)
The Discovery and Use of Progesterone	68	(4)
Exactly What Is Progesterone?	72	(3)
The Cycle of Progesterone Production	75	(1)
Progesterone and Procreation	75	(2)
How Progesterone Affects the Body	77	(1)
Progesterone and Steroid Synthesis	77	(2)
Progesterone and the Brain	79	(2)
Progesterone and Sex Drive	81	(2)
Progesterone in Men	83	(2)
CHAPTER 7 The Dramatic Difference Between Progesterone and Progestins	85	(13)
The Difference between Synthetic Drugs and Natural Compounds	87	(3)
What Is a Progestin?	90	(5)
Progestins Gave Birth to the Sexual Revolution	95	(3)
CHAPTER 8 Sex Hormones and the Brain	98	(10)
The Basics of Brain Communication	98	(2)
How the Inner and Outer Brains Regulate the Body	100	(1)
Estrogen and the Brain	101	(2)
Progesterone and the Brain	103	(1)
Progesterone and Fetal Brain Development	103	(1)
Progesterone and Brain Injuries	104	(1)
Progesterone and the Elderly	105	(1)
Progesterone and Libido	105	(1)
Postpartum Blues	106	(1)
Progesterone and Sleep Patterns	107	(1)
CHAPTER 9 What Are Androgens?	108	(7)
DHEA	111	(1)
Testosterone	112	(1)
Androstenedione	113	(2)
CHAPTER 10 Hormone Balance and the Menstrual Cycle	115	(8)
The Rise and Fall of Hormone Levels	116	(4)
Anovulatory Cycles	120	(3)
PART II HORMONE BALANCE AND ILLNESS	123	(170)
CHAPTER 11 Progesterone and Menopause Symptoms	125	(10)
The Mystery of Menopause	127	(1)
A Brief Look at Premenopause	128	(1)
Falling Estrogen and Progesterone, Rising GnRH, and Hot Flashes	128	(2)
Progesterone Deficiency	130	(1)
Menopause and Estrogen	131	(1)
Androgens and Menopause	132	(2)
What Can Be Done for Menopausal Symptoms?	134	(1)
CHAPTER 12 Hormone Balance and the Adrenal and Thyroid Glands	135	(19)
Premenopause and Stress	135	(3)
Follicle Burnout	138	(1)
Estrogen Excess	139	(2)
The Adrenal Glands	141	(1)
The Adrenal Cortex	142	(9)
Progesterone and Thyroid Hormone	151	(3)
CHAPTER 13 Hormone Balance, Nutrition, and Osteoporosis	154	(44)
Debunking the Osteoporosis Myths	155	(1)
What Is Osteoporosis?	156	(1)
A Bit About How Bones Are Built	156	(2)
Osteoporosis and Estrogen	158	(4)
Osteoporosis and Progesterone	162	(9)
Other Osteoporosis Treatments	171	(3)
Keeping Your Bones Strong	174	(9)
How Bones Are Depleted	183	(9)
What Your Doctor May Not Know About Bone Density Measurement (BMD)	192	(6)
CHAPTER 14 Women and Cardiovascular Disease	198	(26)
Estrogen and Heart Disease	199	(1)
Progesterone and Heart Disease	200	(1)
Only Half of Heart Attack Deaths in Women Are Caused by Blocked Arteries	200	(2)
Insulin and Heart Disease	202	(5)
What About Cholesterol?	207	(1)
High Blood Pressure	208	(1)
Iron Overload	209	(3)
Homocysteine	212	(2)
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	214	(1)
Nutrition and Lifestyle	214	(2)
What About Aspirin?	216	(2)
Strokes and Hormone Balance	218	(5)
The Bottom Line	223	(1)
CHAPTER 15 Hormone Balance and Cancer	224	(27)
Reestablishing Cellular Communication	225	(1)
How Cancer Develops	226	(2)
Estrogen Stimulates Cell Growth	228	(6)
The Cancer-Protective Benefits of Progesterone	234	(5)
Hormone Receptors in Breast Cancer	239	(1)
What About Mammograms?	240	(4)
Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors	244	(1)
Endometrial Cancer	245	(3)
Transcultural Factors in Breast and Uterine Cancer	248	(3)
CHAPTER 16 Getting Off Conventional HRT and on to Natural Hormones	251	(4)
Questions and Answers About Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy	252	(3)
CHAPTER 17 Natural Hormone Balance and Pelvic Disorders	255	(11)
Vaginitis	256	(1)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)	257	(1)
Ovarian Cysts and Mittelschmerz	258	(1)
Endometriosis	259	(2)
Fibroids	261	(2)
Endometrial Cancer	263	(1)
Hysterectomy	263	(2)
Staying Naturally Healthy	265	(1)
CHAPTER 18 Hormone Balance and Other Common Health Problems	266	(27)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)	267	(4)
Hypothyroidism (Low Thyroid)	271	(6)
Fibrocystic Breasts	277	(1)
Migraine Headaches	278	(1)
Skin Problems (Acne, Seborrhea, Rosacea, Psoriasis, and Keratoses)	279	(2)
Candida	281	(1)
Allergies	282	(1)
Arthritis	283	(1)
Autoimmune Disorders	284	(1)
Urinary Tract Problems	284	(4)
Gallbladder Disease and Bile Flow	288	(5)
PART III CREATING AND MAINTAINING HORMONE BALANCE	293	(80)
CHAPTER 19 How to Use Progesterone Supplementation	295	(28)
Types of Progesterone Supplementation	295	(4)
Testing Hormone Levels	299	(2)
Not All "Wild Yam Extract" Is Progesterone	301	(2)
How and When to Use Natural Progesterone	303	(1)
Possible Side Effects of Progesterone	304	(4)
How to Get the Most Out of Progesterone Cream	308	(1)
When During the Month to Use Progesterone Cream	309	(11)
Where to Find Natural Progesterone	320	(1)
A Final Reminder	321	(2)
CHAPTER 20 How to Use Estrogen, DHEA, Pregnenolone, the Corticosteroids, Testosterone, and Androstenedione	323	(9)
Estrogen	324	(1)
DHEA	325	(1)
Pregnenolone	326	(1)
The Corticosteroids	327	(2)
Testosterone	329	(2)
Androstenedione	331	(1)
CHAPTER 21 Nutrition for Healthy Hormones	332	(32)
Refined Carbohydrates	333	(1)
Excess Calories, Not Just Excess Fat	334	(1)
Good Fats and Bad Fats	335	(3)
Whole Foods Are Best	338	(3)
Eat Organic Foods Whenever Possible	341	(1)
Is Vegetarianism Protective?	341	(1)
Opt for Free-Range Meats, Eggs, and Poultry	342	(1)
Are Dairy Foods Right for You?	343	(1)
Eat Your Phytochemicals	344	(1)
Eat More Fiber	345	(1)
Drink Plenty of Clean Water	346	(1)
Take Your Multivitamins	347	(3)
Minerals	350	(3)
Your Ideal Diet	353	(1)
Get Some Exercise	354	(1)
How Are Your Adrenal Glands Working?	355	(1)
Digestion	356	(4)
Herbs for Hormone Balance	360	(4)
CHAPTER 22 Commonly Asked Questions About Using Natural Progesterone	364	(9)
GLOSSARY	373	(4)
RESOURCES	377	(12)
RECOMMENDED READING	389	(4)
REFERENCES	393	(32)
APPENDIX: THE STRUCTURE OF STEROID HORMONES	425	(6)
INDEX	431