It's My Ovaries, Stupid!

by Elizabeth Lee Vliet

Book Overview

First womens health book to deal with the environmental toxins and lifestyle habits that act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals causing profound damage to ovarian and thyroid hormones, leaving... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743210565
• ISBN13: 9780743210560
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 437 Pages
• Weight: 1.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Bravo, Dr. Vliet

Every woman should read this book! I've suffered from PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) symptoms since my first period and went from doctor to doctor seeking help. As is typical, I was often told it was in my head. One doctor told me that my problem was: "The size of my ass and the amount of time I sit on it." Forget that I was thin when the disorder first became debilitating. Another doctor told me that I couldn't have PCOS as I only had one cyst on my ovary--you don't have to have any cysts to have PCOS as Dr. Vliet explains in this book. Many doctors out there are totally ignorant about PCOS and the complications it causes. A lot of them will put you on progesterone if you're having hormonal problems--though often the problem is estradiol deficiency (I've been there). For me PCOS caused severe fatigue, depression, hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia, lack of libido, 90 pounds of weight gain, excess body hair, muscle and joint pain, irregular periods, PMS that lasts all month, mood swings, IBS, and many other symptoms. I became an invalid in my mid-20's due to PCOS and the resulting estradiol decline it caused. I was a medical student with a 3.9 GPA but had to discontinue my studies due to the severe fatigue the hormone imbalance caused. More recently, I've developed high blood pressure, hyperplasia of the uterine lining and heart problems--all complications of PCOS--I'm only 40. All along, I knew the problem was my hormones, but doctors didn't believe me or didn't know what to do about it. This book was enlightening. I read it and thought: 'Finally there's a medical professional out there who understands.' I was elated! Luckily, I recently found a doctor who seems to have a good grasp of the disorder (though no one compares to Vliet) and I'm beginning to feel a little better. Nothing can fix the damage that the disorder has done to my body over the years; however, and I wish I could have read a book like this long ago. A lot of women write to me about hypoglycemia, and I always recommend this book. Again, every woman should read this book. I can't recommend this or Vliet's other books highly enough. I'm grateful to her for her body of work and for helping people understand hormone disorders through these books.

A MUST READ

Dr. Vliet is the most insightful doctor I have ever come in contact with. Over the past few years I had no clue what was going on with my body and hormones and as a 25 year old woman having hot flashes I knew something was wrong. After going over 11 months to my regular doctors and OB/Gyn I was convinced that I was going crazy because the 3 blood tests that they ran came up showing that my hormones were "normal". I read this book and became armed with so much knowledge that I scared my own doctors. I learned that there are many more tests that should have been ran but my doctors did not want to hear a patient tell them what to do. I went to Dr. Vliet and she has helped me re-gain my life, my self-esteem, and my womanhood. This book is informative and will give you a better understanding of your hormones and in this day and age we need to become our own doctors in a sense. The more informed you are the more powerful you become. Additionally, if you have been diagnosed with PCOS or suspect that you may have PCOS you MUST READ THIS BOOK! Many thanks to Dr. Vliet!

Read this book! Answers no one else will give you.

Vliet does a wonderful job of explaining how hormones work and why you are dragging through life when they are out of balance. If you think you have a hormone problem, suffer from unexplained fatigue, have PCOS, endemetriosis, or any other female disorder, you need to read this book, Then, if your doctor is not listening, fire them and find someone who will help you get well.She offers real information about the dangers of environmental chemicals and food additives that you won't find elsewhere. Learn what you need to know to regain your life and protect your body from the chemicals that are contributing to the epidemic of fertility problems, obesity, depression and fatigue.My only problem with this book is that Vliet completely dismisses all natural treatments as dangerous. There are dangerous herbs, some of the most potent poisons come from plants. But the majority of herbs have a safety record that goes back centuries. I do hope she takes the time to learn about the herbs and natural treatments that are proven to work safely.

This book saved my life!

THIS BOOK IS THE MISSING LINK, I am convinced, for women over 30. Dr. Vliet doesn't offer "one size fits all" solutions but her hormone advice is right-on. She is an expert on the female endocrine system and knows what she is talking about. I have compared Dr. Vliet's books to a few others out there, and none really compare. I wish I had found this book years ago, it would have saved me years of anguish. Premature ovarian decline is a real phenonmenon, whether the general public wants to accept it or not. I lived in denial for about 5 years thinking I was "too young" to have menopausal symptoms. It was just too embarassing and taboo to delve in to. I am so glad I did! My symptoms (acne, low energy, depression, insomnia) have resolved in less than a month on a low-dose birth control pill. Low dose birth control has done more for me than low-carb dieting, flax seed oil, progesterone cream ,etc. and other so-called "magic bullets" recommended by other so-called "experts". Dr. Vliet is an MD with 20 years of serious clinical practice, she knows what she is talking about. PMS cannot be cured through diet and exerise alone. I should know, I tried for 5 years.

I learned more from this book than from any of my doctors

This book is a godsend. As a woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome, I have encountered many doctors and family members who felt that all of my symptoms could not possibly have been caused by a hormonal disturbance. You would not believe some of the stupid, unhelpful things doctors have said to me, such as suggesting that maybe the cause of my symptoms was depression (I'm not depressed!). However, since reading this book I have been able to take much more control over my own treatment. I wish every doctor would read this book. The hormone connections Dr. Vliet talks about are amazing, and the wisdom she shares indispensable. People still don't have enough of an understanding of how women's bodies work, and this book is the best one i've seen on the subject. (Because of my condition, I've read MANY books on women's health and PCOS, and this book is the only one that's truly been able to help me). I urge you to read this book and begin to take control over your own body.