Customer Reviews

Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

What a fabulous book! I have read (no, memorized) the second and third editions and become pregnant twice while following Shannon's advice. I've never written a review before, but I am so impressed by this book I have to take the time. Unlike other books I've read of the same genre, there is so much information packed into this little book that I find something new with every re-read. There is good information for young women struggling with PMS, or trying to generally improve their health or get pregnant. There is good information for women who are pregnant or nursing (indeed I wish I'd had this book when I was doing both). There is good information for women struggling with infertility or miscarriages or age-related infertility. There is good information for menopausal women. And there's even good information about the vitamins and minerals that can enhance your husband's fertility.

The initial section on general nutrition is a great guide to healthy eating with valuable tips about shopping and preparation. (I found Shannon's information about essential fatty acids particularly helpful.) The subsequent chapters hold invaluable information about the role that different vitamins (like B6, folic acid) and minerals (like magnesium and selenium) play in regulating and enhancing a woman's cycle and her fertility (including topics like controlling PMS and handling menopause). Table V, on recommended supplements, has become my personal "bible" for vitamin supplementation - something I never "believed in" before reading this book. As Shannon suggests in chapter 15, I hired a local (Chicago-area) nutritionist to help me with supplements. She read Shannon's book for the first time at my request and confirmed my opinion that this book is excellent. For example, not only does Shannon list recommended daily amounts for vitamins and minerals in her Table V, but she also tells you in a separate column what the latest research shows about toxicity, i.e., at what amount this vitamin or mineral may become harmful.

As a trained lawyer, I appreciate knowing where facts and figures come from, and Shannon provides that in spades in her many footnotes. She is clearly experienced and knowledgeable and she conveys her information well. She's both done her research, and shared her sources with her reader. A special note for women like me struggling with age-related infertility: this book is a great place to start. Shannon herself had a healthy baby at age 47 (almost 48) without using fertility drugs (see the "about the author" section). And she gives examples in her book where her nutritional strategy has helped other older moms to conceive. The rest of my personal story is that I unfortunately miscarried both times I became pregnant recently, but at 39 I'm still hoping for another child, and am following Shannon's advice as carefully as I can, while also trying clomid under an RE's supervision.

Women owe the Catholic Church and the Couple to Couple league, of which Shannon is a part, a great debt of thanks for fostering an environment where this kind of information is gathered, and for motivating Shannon to set it all down in such a readable fashion. (It goes without saying that we need to thank Shannon, too.) Hands down, this is the best book around on the link between fertility and nutrition.

I found this book to contain some good information, some of it not available in other fertility books I've read. Its biggest drawback is probably its length- it's about 140 pages, and much of that space is spent discussing general nutrition, as well as more controversial topics such as fertility and night lighting. I would therefore recommend it as a supplement to a more comprehensive book, not as the only book to buy. Women who experience PMS, irregularity or menstruation problems will find some good help in this book and should probably buy it.

This book is written by a Catholic author and published by the Couple to Couple league, so it takes a Catholic view on many issues. Those who cannot tolerate Catholic thought might not enjoy this book for that reason, as is evident from a few of the reviews below. However, the book does *not* discuss any issue that is not directly related to fertility and/or nutrition. It will therefore be very useful to anyone interested in these topics, Catholic or not.

by following the suggestions in this book, i have been able to overcome my PMS and dysmenorrhea. this book also motivated me to eat healthier and exercise regularly even though i am not overweight. most of all, marilyn shannon actually convinced me to cut down drastically on my consumption of chocolate and other sweets! what a difference all this has made: no more headaches! no more afternoon slumps! more energy! a smaller waistline! the information in this book is definitely NOT common knowledge. the author is pro-life and has some extreme beliefs (for instance, that masturbation is immoral), but this should not detract from the wealth of information and knowledge that this book offers. the index is one of the most detailed i've ever encountered. there are numeours typos and the design & lay-out could be much improved. nevertheless, i give it five stars. it is an excellent complement to toni weschler's "taking charge of your fertility", because shannon gives more detailed explanations for irregularities in temperature, cervical fluid, and luteal phase. the ultimate good news: on my last visit to the obgyne, she confirmed that i was ovulating again!

Let me start by saying that I am 39 years old and expect to deliver my first child a few days before my 40th birthday!
I give this partly to Marilyn Shannon. I was unwilling to do synthetic fertility treatment, and a bit discouraged (sometimes very discouraged) because of my age at the chances of getting pregnant. Some friends and most Medical professionals were very discouraging.
Ms. Shannon's book was recommeded in 'Taking Charge of your fertility' , also a fantastic book. I learned things every woman past puberty ought to know about what the heck is going on in there.
My cycle changed dramatically when I started to take Ms. Shannon's advice. I am also hypo thyroid which makes it less likely to conceive.
So, I didn't meet my fella until a few years ago, and we were married only 6 months before we got pregnant.
Don't give up hope!

I'm a nutrition book fanatic, and this is the best women's nutrition book I've ever read. I think every woman would benefit from reading it, especially those who have had problems with their cycles or infertility. I largely credit this book for helping me clear up some longstanding health issues I had that prescription drugs were not able to fix.

Be warned that the author is a devout Catholic and occasionally makes comments that reflect her morals. This may be annoying to some people, but you're doing yourself a disservice to skip the book altogether because of it.

As a Family Physician, this book gave me some practical advice and solutions to many of the "untreatable" problems that many women suffer today. The diet and supplement program, particulary the "Optivite" supplement by Optimox Corp. has in many cases dramatically improved or cured patients and friends of frequent headaches, chronic low energy, infertility, dysmennorrhea, and severe PMS. One patient, a middle aged woman, still complained of severe fatigue and low energy in spite of adequete thyroid and hormonal replacements. With one week of diet and Optivite, as per this book, she was waking up early, and even had done her spring cleaning. This is only one of the many remarkable and unbelievable results I have witnessed. Spread the good news, this is an important read for all women.

I have now read this book a total of 4 times. Every time I learn something new. Infertility is not the monster it used to be now that I am taking supplements and changing dietary habits, as the book recommends.

What I like best about the book is its straightforward manner of presenting the information. It's condensed and no-nonsense. And all the advice is based on the results of scientific studies.

I just want to highly recommend the book to any couple who is dealing with infertility. Additionally, the book should be read by every adult woman seeking to understand fully the effects of what she eats on her cycles.

I have recommended this book to a variety of people and in many different stages of their female life. It was even helpful to a few males, as Marilyn adds proven ideas to them, also. Just her recommendations for vitamins at different stages, and sources to abtain, them have improved my and my sisters lives tremendously. In fact, I bought her recommendations for my mother-in-law and daughters. They can be gotten at discount stores such as Marc's in our area. Her suggestion about flax oil seed sounded "Greek to me", but I ventured into a health food store for the first time and bought it (capsule form only!) My peri-menopause time is going so smoothly I can't believe it. Neither can my doctor! My four sisters have thyroid problems needing prescription medicine. I started to see a doctor about a thyroid problem but with her suggestions, I was recently released and told I wouldn't need medicine after all! Marilyn gives down-to-earth advice knowing that we have to enjoy life, too. Whether in her values, which are beautiful, or scientific knowledge, you'll get your money's worth in this easy to read gem. Hint: Buy a high-lighter, also, as you'll be marking up the details like we did. My only regret is that the book wasn't published when I was younger and ... I paid full price...and could have gotten it even cheaper here!!

Among Natural Family Planning practitioners, this book is spoken of with great respect. I had known about it for years, but only recently decided to sit down and read it.

(While aspects of Natural Family Planning are mentioned, it is not neccessary for the reader to practice it in order to benefit from this book.)

I was pleasantly surprised by the uncomplicated, straightforward writing style--one doesn't need to have a degree in Nutrition to get through it.

You can see from the Table of Contents that it is a very thorough book; however, it doesn't promise to be a "miracle cure" kind of sensational fad-diet. It sticks to the topic of diet, fertility & cycles.

I have followed some of Ms. Shannon's suggestions: cut out/limit caffeine; cut out artificial sweeteners, and limit sugar. It's been about 4 weeks, and to my surprise, I'm feeling much healthier & have much more energy and stamina for my 15 month-old. I hope to incorporate more of the good information into my daily habits.

I really think that it belongs on every woman's bookshelf! I would imagine that couples who are trying to conceive would find it enormously helpful, as well. I am very happy that I spent my money and my time on this book--it is very much worth both.

I found this book to be invaluable in preparing my body for pregnancy, as well as during pregnancy. The excellently researched informaiton in this book will also be vital for my overall health throughout my life. Every woman should read this book, beginning as a teenager, just for overall vibrant health!