Endometriosis : The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health [Paperback]

Mary Lou Ballweg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2003

Bestselling health authors present must-have information for managing endometriosis

Endometriosis is a serious disease associated with pain, immune dysfunction, infertility, cancer, and autoimmune diseases that can be managed only through active, informed decision making. Developed by the Endometriosis Association, Endometriosis provides new information on treatments and lifestyle changes that gives women with endometriosis and their families the tools they need to successfully manage the disease.

This authoritative guide contains groundbreaking new discoveries on endometriosis and its relationship to autoimmune problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other poorly understood diseases.

Endometriosis also includes new information on:

• Cutting-Edge Therapies for Pain Relief
• New Information on Nutrition and Alternative Treatments
• The Latest Research on Medical Therapies
• Special Sections on Menopause, Teens with Endo, Cancer, and Environmental Toxins

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The definitive guide to living with endometriosis

Some eighty-nine million women worldwide have endometriosis--or "endo," as it is commonly called. For decades, women with the disease have suffered in silence, and faced a nightmare of misinformation, myths, and unsuccessful treatments. Today, thanks to new awareness and research, hope and relief are available.

Endometriosis is a chronic, often painful hormonal and immune disease that affects girls as young as eight and women in their reproductive years and beyond. The name itself comes from endometrium, the tissue lining inside the uterus. With endo, tissue similar to this lining is found elsewhere, usually in the abdomen, where it causes pain, inflammation, internal bleeding, scarring, infertility, and a host of other medical problems.

Now research pioneered by the Endometriosis Association has established that endo is a "tip of the iceberg" disease. Endometriosis: The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health provides groundbreaking information on the disease and its relation to several other health problems, including certain cancers, autoimmune problems, environmental illness, and fibromyalgia. Based on the latest research gathered and conducted by Mary Lou Ballweg and the Endometriosis Association, this guide includes information on:

• Surgery and other treatment options
• The role of diet and nutrition in healing
• The connection between endometriosis and cancer
• Infertility and endometriosis
• Teens with the disease
• Surprising new information on menopause and endometriosis

Besides invaluable and cutting-edge advice on treatment this guide also features real women's stories that explore the aspects of living with this disease. This book equips you with the tools you need not only to live with endometriosis but to live well.

Mary Lou Ballweg is founder, president, and executive director of the Endometriosis Association. She is quoted regularly by many major newspapers and magazines.

The Endometriosis Association was founded in 1980 to offer those with endometriosis support and information, educate the public and medical community about the disease, and promote endo research. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this international organization has members and groups worldwide.

About the Author

Mary Lou Ballweg is the founder, president, and executive director of the Endometriosis Association and was the lead author on its two previous books on the subject. The Endometriosis Association was founded 23 years ago and now has groups and members worldwide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 609 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071412484
• ISBN-13: 978-0071412483
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Endometriosis
  • #22 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Genitourinary & STDs
  • #58 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Abdominal

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make The Right Choice For You And Be Healthy & Whole, March 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Endometriosis : The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health (Paperback)

Out of all the Endometriosis books that I have purchased, this is the only one that I refer to over and over again. I have lent it to friends that were in great need. It has dramatically helped them to make correct choices for them that their own doctors either did not mention or tried to undervalue its use because the procedure is too modern and/or they do not know how to do it. It's procedures, prescriptions and other information is very up to date. If you have been to many doctors, and have gotten the "learn to live with the pain or just get a hysterectomy" line, then buy this book and read it thoroughly. It will answer all of your concerns and help you make the right decision for you.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Helpful Endo Reference Guide, December 16, 2005

By 

K. Vick "Country Kate" (Lake in the Hills, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Endometriosis : The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health (Paperback)

My doctor specializing in endo treatment gave me this book, and I have found it very useful. I also have Mary Lou Ballweg's previous endo book, which is also great.

This Complete Reference compassionately discusses the pain, the symptoms, the medical diagnosis and treatments, immunotherapy and nutrition and how they help decrease symptoms, how endo can affect fertility, connections it may have to cancer, how it impacts menopause, how it affects teenagers...It also has motivating chapters on how we can stay strong and continue to be productive through our endo, but with reassuring messages that if the pain and procedures do affect our energy and mental health, what we can do to manage this stress. It also talks about new research and finally, how important it is to share our experience with other women.

I've had endo for probably over 10 years now. I've had 4 laparoscopies (need another one soon), and I've tried every procedure available. Women need to KNOW that there IS NO CURE. Pregnancy does NOT CURE endo. Some undereducated doctors that do not specialize in this disease mistakenly persuade hundreds of thousands of women to have a child when they may not be ready in hopes of curing their disease. Also, some of the procedures MAY cause temporarily symptom relief, but they WILL NOT CURE you of endo. I've been treated in a clinical trial by the best endo team in the world in Maryland, and with research, one day we may have a cure. At this time, we only know it is a stubborn and sometimes debilitating disease. But it does NOT define us. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family. If your doctor doesn't take the time you need to answer your many questions satisfactorily, find another. Respect your right to the best-possible healthcare. Do not be afraid of participating in clinical studies: You can help progress our understanding of the disease and possibly find a cure. They saved me tens of thousands of dollars on much-needed endo treatment for several years, and they supported my mental and emotional health as well.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good follow-up to the Endometriosis Sourcebook, January 19, 2007

By 

Sensei - See all my reviews

This review is from: Endometriosis : The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health (Paperback)

This book is a follow-up to the Endometriosis Sourcebook, and makes more sense if you've read that one first. The first book has more details about causes and treatments. This book focuses on adding information learned in the ten years after the first one was written. I recommend both. If you can only afford one, buy the Sourcebook - even if you think you have found all there is to learn about this disease. I found the Sourcebook to be the most comprehensive of anything I could get my hands on. As a follow-up, this is really good reading, and I find myself looking forward to the next book to see what researchers can do to finally find a cure.

I would also like to add to a previous reviewer's comments ("Extremely Helpful Endo Reference Guide") and say that a total hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries is NOT necessarily a cure, either - despite the fact many women desperately seeking relief undergo this drastic measure. Women who have their ovaries removed go through tremendous suffering, only to find out their endo is still there, and they are still in pain.

After a laparotomy with one ovary removed, I woke to find myself suffering even more than before the surgery. Finally, years later, I was able to get a copy of the surgery report and found out that despite what I was told, the surgeon did NOT remove ALL the endo - only the active endo. Well, needless to say, I am about to go through yet another surgery with yet another doctor to remove the rest of the endo that is still causing me trouble. The best treatment is TOTAL removal of ALL endo. Read your surgery report. It is likely different and more detailed than what you've been told.