Sex, Lies, and the Truth about Uterine Fibroids [Paperback]

Carla Dionne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2001

A supportive guide to treating uterine fibroids, this text covers traditional, surgical, and alternative therapies and provides key information necessary to determine the best choice for you.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Approximately one U.S. woman in four will suffer symptoms of uterine fibroids in her lifetime. Little is known about what causes them, but their symptoms include anemia, fatigue and back pain. In Sex, Lies, and the Truth about Uterine Fibroids: A Journey from Diagnosis to Treatment to Renewed Good Health, Carla Dionne, executive director of the National Uterine Fibroids Foundation, assesses treatment options for this common condition. The most frequently recommended treatment is a hysterectomy; indeed, over 200,000 women per year undergo hysterectomies for this relatively benign disease, despite the fact that there are alternatives. Dionne herself successfully overcame fibroids by other means and is committed to letting other women know that hysterectomy is not the only course of treatment available. Thoroughly researched, her book arms women who suffer from uterine fibroids with important information and, even more importantly, options for good health.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The executive director of the National Uterine Fibroids Foundation has written a very personal book that takes the reader through her years of trouble with fibroids. Benign tumors of the uterus that cause pain, bleeding, and other problems, fibroids can be treated in a number of ways or not at all. The author clearly opposes the sometimes-standard procedure of hysterectomy and encourages alternatives such as uterine artery embolization, which worked for her. She gives suggestions for readers to do their own research and provides lists of questions that patients should ask their doctors. Libraries that already own Johanna Skilling's Fibroids: The Complete Guide to Taking Charge of Your Physical, Emotional and Sexual Being (LJ 2/15/00) won't need to buy this book. Recommended where demand warrants. [Dionne also has a web site (www.uterinefibroids.com). Ed.] Elizabeth Williams, Fresno City Coll. Lib., C.
- Elizabeth Williams, Fresno City Coll. Lib., CA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Avery (April 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583330704
• ISBN-13: 978-1583330708
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Genitourinary & STDs

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every woman should read this book, November 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sex, Lies, and the Truth about Uterine Fibroids (Paperback)

Ms. Dionne's tremendous efforts can pay off for all women if they read this book and educate themselves about the importance of keeping their uterus. Women have been too complacent about hysterectomies, probably out of ignorance about the purpose and function of the uterus. If all women had her attitude, I believe the medical profession would be encouraged to find more effective methods of dealing with common conditions such as fibroids. The tone of this book is appropriately angry, but balanced with a great deal of research and scientific information. You won't feel like you're reading a medical textbook because of the writing style, and you won't feel like Ms. Dionne is telling you what to do about your fibroids. Most importantly, after reading this book I feel I could talk more openly to other women about sex, lies and uterine fibroids.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got Fibroids? Get Carla Dionne's Book!!, June 17, 2001

By 

Marsha V. Weaver, former patient with uterine... (Largo, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sex, Lies, and the Truth about Uterine Fibroids (Paperback)

If you or anyone in your life circle are grappling with uterine fibroids, order a copy of Carla Dionne's "Sex, Lies & the Truth About Uterine Fibroids", published by Avery, a member of Penguin Putnam, Inc., NY, NY 2001. This book documents at least 1 in 4 women have uterine fibroids which can grow silently for years and/or suddenly present with a host of uncomfortable to debilitating symptoms. Dionne describes uterine fibroids; identifies current diagnostics for uterine fibroids; and discusses all the minimally invasive and uterine-sparing treatment options. "Sex, Lies & the Truth About Uterine Fibroids" teaches how to establish an effective patient- physician partnership. Patients can screen doctors by selecting those who discuss all treatment options. Doctors must be sensitive to patient concerns about accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for their medical condition. Also, they must be skilled and competent. It is obvious that a one-size fits all option such as hysterectomy is under intense scrutiny with today's female patient population. Dionne's book provides a wealth of information to manage and mitigate uterine fibroids. Get this book and stop the lost work days, the loss of intimacy with your loved one, and the lost family time. Get your life back!!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educate Yourself About the Fibroid Experiences & Treatments, April 15, 2003

By 

MPB "MP" (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sex, Lies, and the Truth about Uterine Fibroids (Paperback)

Ms. Dionne does an excellent job of explaining fibroids and the options women have for treating them in her book Sex, Lies and the Truth About Uterine Fibroids. I highly recommend this book. I believe every woman with fibroids could benefit from this book. It is well researched, and the explanations are clear and concise.

The perspective is great as Ms. Dionne not only seriously did her medical research, but shes a fibroid patient herself. She relates to the fibroid patient in a very personal and realistic way. She knows that many women havent a clue what a fibroid is until diagnosed; that they will be horrified to hear their doctor utter the word tumor; that way too many women will hear that they need a hysterectomy when in fact they do not; that many women will not honestly and fully be told by their doctors about alternative treatments, etc.

Ms. Dionne not only talks about treatment choices but also about choosing doctors and hospitals and making decisions. She takes the reader through her own fibroid ordeal, treatment and results. She bases her book on serious medical research and reporting  not on theories about what might be. She makes it clear that she has her own perspectives and that she made her own choices, but she also makes it clear that each woman has to choose for herself.

Ms. Dionne does an excellent job of arming women with the information they need in order to know whats what, and to be realistically able to make their own informed choices.