Customer Reviews

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life From Thirty to Fifty

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PREVENT A HYSTERECTOMY: I write this after just having had surgery (abdominal hysterectomy) two weeks ago ... and having come across the book only two weeks prior to surgery. If only two or three months ago I'd been aware of Dr. Lee's book, I truly believe my hysterectomy could have been prevented, nevertheless, refusing my doctor's recommended HRT, I tried the progesterone cream and was amazed with the immediate results: headaches were alleviated; improved mental acuity, energy, and skin tone. Had I known of the book's contents 15 years ago, I believe I would have saved myself from not only surgery and fibrous breast tissue, but numerous other debilitating ailments: migraines, clinical depression, fatigue, lack of concentration along with other symptoms which Dr. Lee listed due to estrogen dominance. My doctor did what he believed to be best for me, however, being conventional, he prescribed therapy which only enhanced the estrogen dominance, leading ultimately to excessive bleeding and anemia. Only after surgery was he able to tell me either my ovary or uterus was four times normal size -- hyperestrogen (loaded with it)! His recommendation had been a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (removal of uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and both ovaries), however, he honored my request to save both ovaries if possible ... (even though only one remains). If not for Dr. Lee, I'd never have requested such. Even though I have regrets of not knowing earlier of this informative book, I am extremely thankful for the knowledge of progesterone cream application versus conventional HRT. I look forward to renewed life ahead! Thank you, Dr. Lee! ... P.S. I'm hunting for a doctor who practices alternative medicine.

For years, I've suffered with so many strange symptoms and now I find out it is almost certainly my hormone levels. I've been through hell and back so would someone please tell me after (all the years of hospitals, psychologists, tests, pain and lost opportunities due to illness) WHY some doctor didn't have a clue?

I have all the classic symptoms and have for years. But I had to read a book to find out what was going on. Migraines, hair falling out, debilitating feet/leg cramps, dry skin, dry eye, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, total exhaustion, muscle weakness, very low blood pressure, low thyroid, low adrenal function...do I need to go on?

I did the "spit test" recommended in the book and sure enough--my hormones are screwed up. I started on Progest cream (which I got at Whole Foods for $26) and within 5 days, my energy levels alone have risen dramatically and my hair has stopped falling out. I'm at day 20 in the cycle and still have feet cramps, have a migraine today but my new doctor (Dr. Sharma in Millburn NJ) tells me this stuff may take up to 3 months to show its total effects. She also wrote a prescription up which I'm going to have filled at Liberty Drugs in Chatham NJ which is exactly what I need.

Someone needs to start educating doctors. And women need to start insisting that we get better treatment.

I'm so disgusted...and so incredibly relieved.

I have read this fine book as well as the earlier volume by Dr. Lee "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause". I feel that both of these books contain information that every woman and really every person needs to know. We live in a dangerous world. A world full of invisible or unnoticed chemicals that impact the reproductive and general health of all of us, especially those of us in the industrialized world. It is essential to know what is happening and how chemicals are changing our health. Forewarned is forearmed. Many problems that we are calling "normal" in today's world are not normal at all and speak to the need for balance of our hormones. Men and women will benefit from this information. Young women are not immune from the dangers in the environmentthat cause hormonal changes. Please read this. Don't have invasive surgery without first reading this book, it could change your life.

Let me first qualify that I used to be a researcher for a major health magazine--I've got a good medical background and am familiar with doctors often being very opinionated about their theories being THE correct theories.

I'm 38 and have been dealing with health problems for a while, one of them being thinning bones (I'm nearly at osteoporosis level, found through a DEXA bone scan), despite taking appropriate calcium supplements. My doctor just recommended taking more supplements. Went to another doctor who recommended I get my hormones measured. [By the way, many doctors resist doing this; however, the blood test is reliable and accurate--just make sure you know what stage of your cycle you're in so that you can understand the results of your tests.] Mine came back with progesterone being TOO HIGH (despite having most of the symptoms that Dr. Lee contributes to LOW progesterone), and my estradiol (estrogen) level was abyssmally low--nearly that of a post-menopausal woman! This explains a lot.

Dr. Lee likes to blame so many things in his book on "estrogen dominance" yet I think he's waaaaay off on many of his "scientific" conclusions. So many of them left me wanting to see his references and to ask how he came to those conclusions while discounting other obvious factors. In addition, p.333: "Some women who have irregular bleeding are prescribed estrogen by their doctors. There's really no good reason to give estrogen to women who are still menstruating... the very fact that you're menstruating indicates that you're very unlikely to be deficient in estrogen." WRONG, as my own case shows! [I'd recommend reading the book "Screaming to be Heard" by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.--much better science, and counters some of Lee's claims with evidence.]

I DO believe that woman can and do have progesterone deficiencies, but I would advise getting your hormone levels checked before doing any hormone therapy. Your body is unique, so don't go with a blanket recommendation because someone "thinks" you have a deficiency--get proof first! And please read some of the reviews written here--some woman have greatly benefited from Lee's book, while others clearly show his book did them a big disservice. [Also, I recommend getting the full-body (DEXA) bone scan, even if you're in your 30's. The ankle bone density can be highly inaccurate (mine came back normal, yet the DEXA shows I'm almost in osteoporosis).] Good luck!

I have now read every perimenopause book out there. Dr. Lee's book is a good resource for perimenopause but hands down the best book I have read (and my baby boomer friends agree) is Ann Louise Gittleman's Before the Change.

I first read Dr. Lee's "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause," and then this book. I found the premenopause book to be a much easier read, but recommend reading both books (and I'm a slow reader.)The information made so much sense of bodily changes I've experienced 10 years earlier than most women. I'm relieved to find out I'm not losing my emotional or physical balance. After reading the book and also having a benign cyst removed, I've dropped birth control pills, started using progesterone cream and supplemented my daily vitamins. I feel better, my migraines and arthritis have abated, have no more night sweats and won't miss having a period. I am also shopping for a new (enlightened) ob/gyn.

I'd cautiously recommend this book to other women suffering, as I do, from premenopause. Written for women who take an active role in their own health care, much of this book provides enlightening information, in layperson's language, about our ever changing hormones and the role they play in a woman's health. The author's theories on causes of hormonal imbalances are provocative, and I'm inclinded to believe that toxic chemicals can cause hormonal upsets, but these theories are as yet unproven. If you have a serious health concern, please do more research...read, read, read. There is a tremendous amount of information on line that can be of help. This book does excel in providing important information about the link between diet and a healthy hormonal balance, and I am following a number of the recommendations in this book. Progesterone Cream, recommended by the authors, may not be the cure for every symptom of premenopause. The jury is out on the use of progesterone cream to treat uterine fibroids, a condition that affects between 30-50% of women in their 30s and 40s. My recommendation for this book is to read it thoroughly, but cautiously... and to follow up with more research on line. I wish you good health!

Dr. Lee has done it again with a very comprehensive book for women ages 30-50. We spend much more time in the pre-menopause years than most people think. It's a time to build our bodies, regulate our hormones, and get our bones strong before the onset of menopause. If you've ever wondered why your body seems to be "out to get you", this book may provide some answers. With the addition of Dr. Jesse Hanley, a traditional MD who's added a number of "complementary" therapies to her treatment of patients (massage, acupuncture, holistic practices, nutritional support, etc), Dr. Lee broadens his ideas from just the use of natural progesterone to the inclusion of a well-rounded treatment plan. Dr. Lee includes some of the newer research that's been done since his last book, but still is the leading proponent of natural progesterone, and, where needed, natural estrogens. It's your body; I recommend reading about what's happening to it and how to get yourself back to normal. I, for one, am so happy to know there are safer alternatives to the pharmecutical concotions used in traditional HRT. Chapters include topics on: PMS, stress, exercise, nutrition, contraceptive use/misuse, breast cancer, uterine and cervical abnormalities, osteoporosis, heart attacks, and more. There is a comprehensive index, recommened reading list and references, as well as a resource section. 395 pages. Easy to read though packed with information.

I turned 50 recently, and had been bothered for quite a whileby those odd symptoms that aren't "classic" symptoms ofmenopause. I didn't know at first if it was stress, or if there wasreally something physically wrong with me. I wondered if it could be pre-menopause, but wasn't really sure. I didn't have hot flashes, and my moods weren't extreme, though I felt (how do I explain it) "not right". I saw my doctor, who determined I WAS in pre-menopause, and in the course of my evaluation we discussed natural treatments. She suggested reading Dr. Lee's book. I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor and we decided on some of the therapies Dr. Lee suggests in his book. The easiest to supplement were the vitamins.(follow the doctor's dosage instructions) She is starting me on natural progesterone this month. A lot of my symptoms, like digestive upsets, numb hands and the like are diminishing already ! I never had thought too much about looking into natural alternatives for my symptoms. I was somewhat distrustful, and not too well informed. This book was very helpful, it explained in easy to understand terms how hormone balance in the body works, and how it affects all the other body systems, and how to correct your own body's natural balance. I am fortunate to have a great doctor who had read it and was enthusiastic about using the therapies suggested. I've told friends my age about it, and they'll be buying it next! Talk about knowledge being power!Thank God Dr. Lee and others are now getting the information out, we need to make informed decisions on treating our own bodies! Read this book, you'll be glad you did! END

If you're looking for testimonials for women diagnosed with fibroid tumors who used the information provided in this book to treat the fibroids, look no further.
While an ultrasound showed my four fibroids were not unduly large, one had grown through the uterine wall, causing excessive bleeding each month, leading to anemia.
Other symptoms indicated I had excess estrogen, for which this book suggested taking natural progesterone. (Note this is completely different than having low estrogen.)

Nine months after beginning natural progestone treatments, another ultrasound showed all fibroids were gone. Four months into treatment, the anemia was gone and my monthly periods had returned to normal.
I recommend this book to all my friends, not because it offers a single, sure-fire cure for everyone, but because it provides a wealth of hormonal information in one volume. Information that no gynecologist or GP had EVER provided me with. When I was originally diagnosed with fibroids, my doctor told me to have any kids I planned to have, then have a hysterectomy. I didn't know anything about hormones at that time, but I knew there had to be another solution.
This book provides detailed, fact-based information on the human hormonal system.