The Endometriosis Sourcebook (Paperback)

by Mary Lou Ballweg (Author), The Endometriosis Association (Author) "Sourcebook is certainly an appropriate title for the Endometriosis Association's second book..." (more)
Key Phrases: women with endo, overcoming endometriosis, endo specialist, New York, United States, Mary Lou Ballweg (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The Endometriosis Sourcebook is "the definitive guide to current treatment options, the latest research, common myths about the disease, and coping strategies" compiled by the Endometriosis Association and its president, Mary Lou Ballweg. Ballweg lived with the disease for years, struggled through treatments and surgeries, was lucky enough to give birth to a "miracle baby," was bedridden for months at a time, and underwent a hysterectomy after all other treatment options were exhausted. She's therefore quite sympathetic toward fellow endo patients.

This all-inclusive book collects comparisons of different laser treatments; discusses the little-known connections between endo and autoimmune and thyroid problems, as well as diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome; covers new research directions; examines the effectiveness of Chinese medicine; shares letters from hundreds of women detailing their experiences; and much more. Perhaps most importantly, Ballweg strives to communicate how serious a disease endometriosis can be:

If there were millions of [men] out there, young men whose dreams were in danger of being destroyed by a disease, whose ability to function sexually was at risk, whose fertility was at risk, whose ability to build a satisfying work life and carry out normal activities of living was at risk, and who even would face the threat of castration, no one would dare say it was unimportant.

--Jhana Bach

Product Description
The Endometriosis Sourcebook is the definitive resource for the millions of sufferers urgently seeking up-to-date, authoritative information. It covers everything women need to know, including the latest research, treatments, nutrition and advice.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809232634
• ISBN-13: 978-0809232635
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #184,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not basic enough, February 10, 2000

By	anne robinson (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

I purchased this book after reading the many rave customer reviews on the amazon.com site. The book is actually a compilation of papers and articles by experts and activists. It does offer a great deal of expert information as well as many articles that will bolster the resolve of any woman suffering with endometriosis to become her own best advocate for compassionate medical care, and, with luck, cure.

However, I believe the book is actually a source for those who are already well-acquainted with the disease. While there are articles that refer to things like "stages" of the disease (stages being I through IV), the book does not contain a basic overview chapter that spells out how these stages are defined. There is no overview of common "endo" effects (i.e.--likely to first affect the ovaries and fallopian tubes, affect on bowel and bladder indicates more widespread or advanced stage of disease?)

I recently underwent surgery to remove an ovarian mass that turned out to be an endometrioma. I am in my 40s, and until two weeks prior surgery I (fortunately, luckily) did not experience pain. My doctors did not suspect endometriosis because I had never displayed classic symptoms. Suddenly, I am dealing with a disease I have never considered. I need in-depth information, but I need it to take me from a beginning level. I don't deny that this book is a marvelous resource, but if you are looking for basic information and explanations, I would suggest searching further, or supplementing this purchase with another, more basic, reference. (Personally, I'm hoping to find "Endometriosis for Dummies!") Also, this book was published in 1995--a lot can change in 5 years.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars this book lacks information on important topics, March 6, 2002

By A Customer

I picked up this book soon after I was diagnosed with endo. Although it had some good information, it lacked comprehensive information on the newest treatments for the disease, as well as any real information on new directions in clinical research. It frightens me to think that some women will pick up this book and not look further. The book fails to provide information on how women dealing with chronic pain from this disease can obtain the comprehensive, personalized type of help they need. Furthermore, the book fails to explore adequately how an increasing number of endometriosis surgeons are treating severe cases of endometriosis very much like cancer; both diseases need to be treated similarly surgically because both diseases require resection of both disease and the healthy margins surrounding the disease if a patient is to have any chance of a successful outcome. Perhaps most disconcerting is that this book does little to inspire or motivate women to become active consumers in their own health care - much more could be said about the continuing failure of the medical profession to diagnose and treat this disease as it should and a woman's need to respond accordingly. And, much more could be said about pain clinics and the pain specialists that can be the key to a woman learning to function with this disease. I eventually found Jennifer Lewis's book Endometriosis: One Women's Journey, and for the first time I no longer felt alone; I felt inspired to take real responsibility for my own health care; and I learned that there were pain professionals out there who could help give me my life back. For a sourcebook, this book is missing some really important pieces. It's okay for what it does, but be sure to supplement your reading with other books and materials.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars conflict of interest, March 5, 2003

By A Customer

I don't know how an association that is majorly funded by a pharmaceutical company, which touts its medicines as good for endo, can write an impartial book on the subject.

The pharmaceutical company? It makes Lupron. Check out the Lupron Victims Network. Please be careful. These medications hurt. I should know. I was diagnosed with this disease in 2001 and have had surgeries for it.