The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection--The Secret to Fabulous Sex, Great Health, and Vitality, for Women and Men (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Menopause is a complicated business. Medical issues vary widely and treatment options seem endless--especially in the wake of bad news about hormone replacement. While The Sexy Years isn't meant to supply you with a specific program of daily supplements, Suzanne Somers does offer an excellent inspiration to march forth and take control of this stage of health. Much of the book covers her own experience of menopause, including some detail on her breast cancer ordeal. She advocates the use of natural, bioidentical hormonal replacement, available through a variety of creams and supplements--it's a rare page that doesn't gush about the power of these substances or raise negative issues about the use of synthetic hormones. Introductory medical information is included on how estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone work together to keep people healthy and active; the vocabulary is understandable and generally entertaining rather than overwhelming. She provides interviews with a variety of doctors and women in various stages of menopause. These will give women a good place to start with topics to address with their own medical providers. While a short index of doctors and compounding pharmacies is provided, most women will have to do their own research to find local natural hormone specialists. But if you're looking for a boost of courage to bring up these treatments with your doctor--or simply want to investigate more natural alternatives to the standard synthetics--this is a fine place to get started. --Jill Lightner

From Publishers Weekly

Somers has chronicled her battle with weight and emotional issues in several books. Now she explains how she's coped with the symptoms of menopause and why she believes most women should take natural hormones during this period. Somers discusses her breast cancer surgery, along with her decision not to undergo certain follow-up treatment but instead adhere to a regimen of natural hormones. To support her case, Somers includes interviews with several physicians who specialize in natural hormones, sexual dysfunction and menopause. Her enthusiastic writing style will especially appeal to readers who have been intimidated by physicians unwilling to offer alternative treatments to menopause's often debilitating symptoms. "Finding the right doctor is difficult," she laments. "Your gynecologist may not be the right person for you at this time.... If [menopause and hormones are] not her specialty, then you have to find a doctor who 'gets it.' " Somers stresses the important steps of the process, and discusses reasons why she prefers natural hormones over synthetic substances. She also tackles male menopause, common sexual problems among middle-aged couples and hormones for men. However, since her readers are likely to be women, the subject matter occasionally seems inappropriate. Nonetheless, as an introduction to the subject of alternative treatments for menopause, this book provides a sound synopsis that readers can use to open a dialogue with their physicians.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1 edition (March 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609607219
• ISBN-13: 978-0609607213
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #240,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

139 of 149 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One pill doesn't fix millions, March 11, 2004

By	Chris Kutyna (Brooklyn, MI United States) - See all my reviews

I've always said to my Dr., family & friends that one pill doesn't fix all. They all thought I'd lost it. My thinking is we are ALL individual humans with different DNA & gene pools. How can 1 pill made in a lab; tested on menopausal women work for EVERYONE. And what about those who have other issues like fiberoids, peri-menopause, hysterectomies, etc. Do they take the same pill? I kept asking my Dr.'s and got the standard answer "well that's what my Medical Journal says." I realize their education in this subject is limited but Suzanne's book goes into that. Science has helped many with illness & disease, and for those discoveries that is to be commended. But menopause & all that comes with aging at this time in a woman's life should be individualized. I'm glad to see the science behind her book & my theory proven. Watch & see how this turns the tables on the drug companies theory that "one pill works for everyone". I'll bet they will be right out there trying to come up with their own personalized compound "mixture" as women start throwing away Premrin & Provera.

106 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suzanne has done it again!, March 9, 2004

By	Nancy C. De Young "darthmader" (Fairfax, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection--The Secret to Fabulous Sex, Great Health, and Vitality, for Women and Men (Audio Cassette)

Suzanne Somers is a lot more than a pretty face...get this book at any age and get a view and many answers to a time of life that can be a skate...or a nightmare...don't count on the medical profession to know what will help....very few of them have a clue and there are lots of middle aged women...and men who are struggling with more than "the change"...US medical schools fail miserably with nutrition and hormones...all they know is disease and drugs..very profitable, but full of side effects and MORE problems..
This book is full of great information and help...neither I could find here in the nation's capitol...full of Doctors living the good life and no answers...Suzanne has found some forward thinking HEALERS who happen to be Doctors..and they share what they have found really works for their Patients...not the pharmaceutical companies...this is lots of information well presented with humor and caring...Thanks Suzanne!

77 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Women!, March 17, 2004

By A Customer

Suzanne Somers does a great service to women and men alike who are seeking to understand the symptoms of hormone imbalance. I was determined to "tough it out" with menopause, and the severe hot flashes, low libido, crankiness, weight gain, etc, but after three yrs of suffering decided that I needed relief. My own ob-gyn was not willing to really consider natural bio-identical hormones, and I was about to cave in in desperation, when three family members recommended this book (yes, they have suffered along with me). I read it straight through, cover to cover, and it gave me the courage to fire my doctor and find a doctor who would discuss ALL the alternatives with me, and be my partner in deciding what is best for me. Thank you, Suzanne Somers, for doing so much of the research for me, and for giving me that last nudge that I needed to take a stand. You are a powerful advocate for all of us, and your encouragement to become an advocate for ourselves is a timely and cutting edge message, particularly when it comes to HRT. I have not read her other books, but this one was life changing for me.