Hormones and the Mind (Hardcover)

by Edward L. Klaiber (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Klaiber, a physician who considers himself a psychoneuroendocrinologist, stresses that hormones are critical regulators of the brain. His book is written for women who experience one or more of the following: bouts of depression that they do not understand and cannot control, sudden and patterned memory loss, difficulty in making decisions, and a decline of sex drive. Klaiber's thesis, which is supported by cited research studies as well as a multitude of anecdotal tales, is that an individualized regimen of hormone therapy can provide relief of these symptoms, and more. He urges diagnosing a person's unique hormonal imbalances and correcting them with hormonal preparations tailored to meet that individual's needs. While much of what he writes about refers to perimenopausal, menopausal or post-menopausal women, he also discusses estrogen therapy to remedy PMS. Klaiber's book is important because it exemplifies a cross-disciplinary approach to medical care, advocating the use of antidepressant drugs where necessary, or thyroid medications if indicated, as well as estrogen/progesterone therapy. Klaiber's "cures" are impressive, and his viewpoint is worth considering in conjunction with advice from a woman's personal physician. A broad approach; recommended for consumer and women's health collections. Linda M.G. Katz, Florence A. Moore Lib. of Medicine, MCP Hahnemann Univ., Philadelphia
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Self-styled psychoneuroendocrinologist Klaiber has devoted 30 years to investigating problems involving the elements in his compound characterization, especially in psychiatric settings. His thorough report imparts much scientific information enlivened by many brief case histories. Throughout, Klaiber stresses that hormone therapy is not unnatural. This is a comforting attitude because directed use of hormones can prevent heart disease, Alzheimer's, premenstrual tension syndrome, and many other difficulties women face. Moreover, hormone therapy doesn't increase the risk of cancer, Klaiber says, if published figures are correctly considered, and in addition to bestowing the benefits listed in the subtitle, can boost brainpower. It also promotes healthy menopause. Klaiber carefully points out that in most cases more research is needed to confirm the results he describes and that each case is unique and requires variations in procedures. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060193735
• ISBN-13: 978-0060193737
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,265,377 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The help I've been seeking, March 23, 2001

By A Customer

This is a marvelous book that explains, in clear language, what hormones do in the brain and why they affect depression, memory, mental abilities, and sexual desire. I found it incredibly helpful on a number of fronts for me personally. At perimenopause many of these problems cropped up and I always thought they had something to do with hormonal changes--Dr. Klaiber helped me realize that my instincts were right. And now I see a variety of ways to use hormones, and not just standard hromone replacement but different types and combinations, along with testosterone, to manage my mood problems and sexual problems. I can raise these issues now with my doctors with some real scientific and medical back-up. The book is really reassuring and helpful and realistic about estrogen and testosterone and it is packed with info and really good case examples. I've tried alternatives and they help a bit but not enough; I'm hopeful that this will make the difference in my life.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing this doctor changed my life., July 9, 2001

By A Customer

I feel incredibly fortunate that I was referred to Dr. Klaiber. A therapist I occasionally saw for depression-related problems said that she had had great success sending women to this endocrinologist....that many of our emotional/fatigue problems, which we fight and tell ourselves are "all in our heads," are in fact hormone imbalances, and that this doctor had spent 30 years investigating the hormone-mind connection. I had just had yet another checkup with my internist at Mass General and had been told that I was perfectly fine, healthy, blah blah blah. I decided to see Dr. Klaiber.

I had never had a doctor's appointment like the one I had with this man. He sat with me for well over an hour, asking detailed questions about my health and family history. He knew after talking to me that my hormone levels would be low, and drew blood. Two weeks later when I received the results, which were appallingly out of whack, I was overwhelmed and relieved and very, very grateful that fate had sent me to him. I had always *known* in my gut that there had to be a real, biological reason for my poor energy levels and persistent depression....now, finally, a doctor had (rather easily) documented WHY. I have been seeing him for three months now. I have never felt better. I am delighted that he wrote this book. I think every OB-GYN doc and every woman over 35 should read it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surely A Blessing, March 28, 2002

By	Rachelle York "rachelle105" (Council Bluffs, IA United States) - See all my reviews

I now own 3 copies of Dr. Edward L Klaiber's book-"Hormones and the Mind". 1 book for myself, 1 book for my husband (he's on the road alot), and 1 book for my Family Doctor.

I have been ill for a long time!! Circumstances led me to research 'hormones' as a possible link to my health problems. I went to our City's Public Library and checked out 6 books that contained information pertaining to 'hormones'. As I began the daunting task of reading through these books, Dr. Klaiber's book-"Hormones and the Mind"- kept drawing me back to it's pages, again and again, until finally, his book was the ONLY book I was reading-and paying ALOT of attention to.

I eventually began to tell my husband about this book and many of the 'case histories'-stories that sounded remarkably like MY OWN story!

My husband began to read the book himself, and after trying to call and discuss 'my case' with several of our local 'endocrinologists', decided that he would try to contact Dr. Klaiber, himself.

My husband did reach the office of Dr. Klaiber, and set up an appointment for me to see him at the end of this April.

Women having trouble with PMS, menopause, and/or menstrual problems may find new hope in this book with it's NEW APPROACHES to old problems!