The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Bioidentical Hormones

For the first time in history, millions of women have the opportunity to grow old as vigorous, vitally engaged, and productive people. Advances in health care and medical knowledge now offer a solid foundation for those who want to reduce their health risks and improve their quality of life. Wise use of estrogen can lower a woman's risk of colon cancer, osteoporosis, hip fractures, heart disease, and dementia, yet fewer than 17 percent of American women for whom hormone supplements are appropriate actually take them. Bioidentical hormones are created from plant molecules identical to those found in the human body. These new hormones provide women with another resource to meet the needs of aging-saftey when used intelligently. The Pocket Idiot's Guide(tm) to Bioidentical Hormones provides the evidence on what is safe and what is not and presents a wide range of options for supplementing hormones, within an easy-to-answer discussion of Hormone Replacement Therapy in general. Completely objective, the book answers all the questions and coverage includes: *The case for hormones-bioidentical or otherwise *The safety issue-which hormones work and which may be harmful *Bioidentical hormones-beneficial effects on the heart, bones, and brain *Creating an individualized health plan-which hormones, in what combination-how much and how often

Customer Reviews:

Finally something factual on bioidenticals

By James A. Simon MD - March 7, 2010

As one of only a few board certified reproductive endocrinologists in the US interested in menopausal therapies, and a past president of the North American Menopause Society, I find this pocket guide refreshing, readable and most importantly factual. In a sea of nonsense and idle chatter about hormone therapy, most of it meant to scare rather than help, this concise overview sets the record straight with an honest account of the subject. Dr. Pollycove isn't trying to sell you anything, her focus is simply to inform and help those in need. This little gem will become the gold standard of "idiot's guides", and on a subject laden with controversy and hyperbole no less.

This book is definitely worth your time reading!

By Mindy Marantz ""physical therapist"" - March 26, 2010

After practicing Physical Therapy with a focus on womens health for nearly 30 years, here is one of best new tools for patients whose complaints need more than just strengthening...they need this book!!!
Dr. Pollycove understands the big picture of how balanced hormones contribute to better health with aging, in a protective way as well as to clear the brain fog, improve energy, lift depression, and soften that edginess that's all part and parcel of the menopausal transition. "It's not just me" was my first thought after reading this book....it's not just me who has been confused by the message on bioidentical hormone safety....I am no longer confused, and as I share this book with patients and friends, I am confident that its easy to read, friendly writing style, and depth of information and research will clear up others confusion as well. This book has been long in coming, and I can't recommend it highly enough....it is clearly front and center in my arsenal of tools for... read more

Excellent and Understandable Review of BioIdentical Hormones for Menopause

By Janice Hanson - March 21, 2010

Dr. Pollycove has written an fantastic review of the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement at menopause. The book corrects critical misunderstandings about the negative effects of estrogen, and explains the life and health prolonging benefits of it. This book is easy for any woman to read; it is brief and focused on quickly delivering answers to the questions most women have at menopause. The voice of the author is intelligent and warm, obviously having spent many decades working with women on these issues. As an acupuncturist and nutritionist, I have been looking for a book like this to use with my patients. It is often hard to explain to women seeking natural care that bioidential hormone replacement might be the most natural treatment they could use. Dr.Pollycove's wonderful book will now be my primary resource.