The PCOS* Protection Plan: How to Cut Your Increased Risk of Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and High Blood Pressure [Paperback]

Colette Harris (Author), Theresa Cheung (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2005

        Do you struggle with your weight? Have irregular periods (or none at all)? Get acne? Notice thinning hair? Or do you have to deal with unwanted facial and body hair? If you have any of these problems, the chances are fairly good that you have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), along with one in ten women.

        We now know that women with PCOS are more likely to get diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity and its related health problems; and research is currently linking PCOS to a host of other health complications as well. And while you might see this as a frightening glimpse into the future, at least women with PCOS can look future health risks in the eye and then do something right now to reduce them instead of never knowing what could be around the corner.

        That something is the PCOS Protection Plan, an action plan written by women with PCOS for women with PCOS—to help you take control of your health so that you can significantly reduce the risk of serious health conditions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Colette Harris is a leading health journalist and magazine editor who was diagnosed with PCOS in 1996. She has a degree from Oxford University and has been writing pioneering articles on PCOS in international newspapers and magazines since 1997. Colette is a frequent speaker at international conferences and women’s groups exploring PCOS.

Theresa Cheung is a freelance writer, teacher, health consultant and mom who was diagnosed with PCOS in 1997. Theresa holds a master’s degree from Cambridge University and now divides her time between the U.S. and UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hay House (September 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401905382
• ISBN-13: 978-1401905385
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring, January 23, 2008

By 

mommyofone - See all my reviews

This review is from: The PCOS* Protection Plan: How to Cut Your Increased Risk of Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and High Blood Pressure (Paperback)

The PCOS Protection Plan is geared towards women who have already been diagnosed with the syndrome and are looking for information about diet and lifestyle changes that can help them manage their symptoms and reduce their risk of future serious health problems. Very little background information about PCOS is provided.

Part One covers the health risks associated with PCOS (diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension, etc.). Causes, risk factors, and warnings signs are discussed. Part Two covers the protection plan: diet and lifestyle changes that can help reduce and control symptoms and future health risks. Part Three covers motivation, medications and alternative therapies, and continuing research. Part Four offers PCOS-friendly recipes. There is also a glossary, extensive lists for resources and further reading, and a good index.

I have just finished reading a copy of this book from the library but I plan to buy it because it will be a very useful resource to have around. I have not yet discussed the protection plan with my doctor, but it does seem quite sound. Some of the advice (eat fewer processed foods, drink more water, etc.) is information that I already knew and have been trying to put into practice. But there is a lot of information that I didn't know (especially regarding how the body processes food and the benefits and dangers of many different nutrients and substances) and the plans for implementing changes and staying motivated are very inspiring to me.

I was diagnosed two years ago, when I was having fertility problems. But I am not overweight and not insulin resistant. Nevertheless, having a plan to follow is very comforting to me in reducing my health risks in the future and doing what I can to minimize my symptoms.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, August 7, 2009

By 

A. M. Brinkley "elvis_lives_81" (Missouri) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The PCOS* Protection Plan: How to Cut Your Increased Risk of Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and High Blood Pressure (Paperback)

I suggest learning the basics of PCOS online after you are diagnosed and then reading this book to get more information. It is an excellent resource for a woman with PCOS and their loved ones. I have PCOS and I let my fiancee read it as well so he could understand the syndrome. I learned a lot, including the best diet to prevent a lot of the complications that come with and can arise from PCOS. It is a very comprehensive book and it covers all of the topics you will need to know after receiving a diagnosis of PCOS.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Usual useless crap., September 29, 2009

By 

Elby "LB" (Littleton, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The PCOS* Protection Plan: How to Cut Your Increased Risk of Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and High Blood Pressure (Kindle Edition)

The authors reiterate the same advice that every PCOS sufferer already knows, but they spice it up with a liberal dose of fear mongering. The tone is smug and self-congratulatory and they're basically recycling older books in a new package.