| Author's Note | xiv |
| Introduction to the Revised Edition | xvi |
| Introduction | xix |
1 | Screaming to Be Heard! Listening to Women's Voices | 1 |
| Challenges and Controversies in Women's Health: Issues That Affect YOU | |
| The Invisible Woman in Health Research | |
| Medical Problems That Hit Women Harder | |
| Behind the Headlines: Alarming Facts You Still Don't Hear | |
| Shocking Facts in Women's Health | |
| Impediments to Improved Health Care for Women | |
| Why Women Aern't Heard: Stereotypes and Negative Labels | |
| Women's Traditional Healing Wisdom: Devalued and Ignored | |
| Setting the Stage for Change | |
2 | Hormones: A Guide to Your Body Cycles | 24 |
| What Is a Hormone? | |
| Brain--Body Hormonal Communication Pathways | |
| The Menstrual Cycle RHYTHM of Changes Through Our Lives | |
| What Happens When Estrogen Declines: Hormone Changes Through the Decades | |
| The Thyroid: The "Great Imitator"--Problems Often Missed in Women | |
3 | Hormones and the Brain | 54 |
| The Brain: Master Conductor of Our Body's Orchestra | |
| New Understandings of the Brain's Chemical Messengers | |
| It's Not All in Your Imagination! The Biology of Mood Changes | |
| Insights on Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms versus Psychiatric Disorders | |
| Estrogen Effects on Serotonin and Other Mood Regulators | |
| The Brain's Alarm Center: Hormone Triggers of "Anxiety," "Racing Heart," and "Flutters" | |
| Progesterone Effects on the Brain | |
| Progesterone Effects on Growth Hormone Production | |
| Testosterone and the Brain | |
| Future Directions | |
4 | Hormones of Pregnancy and Stress: Progesterone and Cortisol | 86 |
| Progesterone's Discovery | |
| Natural Body Cycles and Progesterone's Roles | |
| Progesterone and Progestins: Understanding the Important Differences | |
| Progesterone Effects on Sleep | |
| Progesterone Effects on Pain Regulation | |
| Progesterone Interaction with Oher Hormones: Insulin and Cortisol | |
| Progesterone Effects on Muscle and Connective Tissue | |
| Progesterone Effects on Metabolism | |
| Laboratory Tests | |
| Current Issues Concerning Progesterone | |
| Cortisol and Stress: Interactions with Our Ovary Hormones | |
5 | The big Question: Has Anybody Seen My Estrogen? | 107 |
| ... And Will Someone Help Me Look for It? What about Blood Tests for Hormones? | |
| The Three Types of Estrogen for Human Females | |
| What Do We Mean by Natural or Synthetic? | |
| Sources and Components of Various Estrogen Products | |
| New Research on Estrogen and a Woman's Body | |
| Different Estrogens, Different Effects | |
| Effective Evaluation of Hormone Levels to Assess Therapy | |
| Beyond Bones: Estrogen Effects on Skin, Hair, Eyes, and Other Fun Facts | |
6 | Testosterone amd DHEA: The Forgotten Women's Hormones | 134 |
| Myths About "The Male Hormones" for Women | |
| Women's Sexuality: An Overlooked Concern in Health Care | |
| Women's Bodies Do Make Testosterone | |
| Synthetic versus Natural Micronized Testosterone | |
| My Response to the Myths about "Male Hormones" for Women | |
| DHEA: Promises and Pitfalls | |
| Finding What's Right for You: Options Available | |
| The Role of Hormone Testing: Blood versus Saliva | |
| Keeping Your Sexual Vitality As You Age | |
| Resources to Help You Rekindle the Sexual Fires | |
7 | The Persnickety P's: PMS, PCOS, Premature Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postpartum Depression | 161 |
| Is It PMS, PCOS, or Perimenopause? | |
| Just What Is PMS? | |
| Common Sympton Clusters in PMS | |
| What Are Some of the Causes of PMS? | |
| Is It the Blues, the Blahs, or Major Depression? | |
| Stress: Vicious Cycle Effects on Hormones, Anxiety, and Depression | |
| How Are All of These Phenomena Related? | |
| How Can I Tell What My Problem Is? Getting Checked Out | |
| Options for Feeling Better | |
| Summary: Heading into the Future | |
8 | Is It Chronic Fatigue, "Yeast," or Perimenopause? | 201 |
| What Are Epstein-Barr Syndrome and CFS? | |
| Hormonal Decline: An Unrecognized Cause of Fatigue | |
| Progestins in Birth Control Pills: Overlooked Causes of Fatigue | |
| Hormone Balance: A Factor in "Yeast" Infections and Syndromes | |
| Heading into the Future | |
9 | Estrogen and Memory: The Words Escape Me | 218 |
| Women's Fears: Am I Losing My Mind? | |
| In My Office: Women's Stories | |
| You Are Not Imagining It! Menopause Does Affect Memory | |
| New Research on Estrogen and Memory | |
| How Does Estrogen Work on the Brain | |
| Thyroid Changes and Memory | |
| Sleep Deprivation and Memory * Sleeping Pills, Alcohol, and Other Memory Robbers | |
| Vitamins and Memory | |
| "Smart Drugs": Marketing Ploy or Real Help? | |
| What Can You Do to Improve Memory? | |
10 | Migraines and Hormonal Headaches | 245 |
| Listening to Women: Dee's Story | |
| Listening to Women: Reba's Story | |
| New Understandings of Migraine Mechanisms | |
| Estrogen and Progesterone Effects on Headache | |
| Oral Contraceptives(OC) and Migraine: New Findings | |
| Innovative Hormonal Approaches | |
| The Serotonin Boosters: Triptans, SSRIs, and TCAs | |
| Additional Medications for Migraine: A Summary of Options | |
| Rebound Headache: Getting Off Painkillers | |
| Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Hypnotherapy, Neuromuscular Massage, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, and Others | |
11 | Fibromyalgia, Aches, and Pains: The Estrogen Factor | 278 |
| Fibromyalgia: The Mysterious, Elusive Medical Condition | |
| Neuroendocrine, Vascular, and Metabolic Changes Associated with FMS | |
| Overlooked Female Hormonal Connections | |
| Ria's Story | |
| Serotonin and Other Neurohormonal Connections | |
| Problems with Pain Medications | |
| Mind-Body Approaches | |
| Vitamins and Minerals Crucial in Pain Regulation | |
| Other Tips to Reduce Pain | |
12 | Interstitial Cystitis, Vulvodynia, and Leaky Bladders | 310 |
| OOdessa's Story | |
| What Happens to the Bladder As Estrogen Declines? | |
| Interstitial Cystitis: Bladder Pain Doctors Overlook | |
| Vulvodynia: One Woman's Story | |
| Unusual Bladder Effects from Dyes, Medications, and Diet | |
| Chronic Bladder "Infections": Is It Really an Infection or My Hormones? | |
| What Exactly is Incontinence, or "Leaky Bladder"? | |
| Help Ahead: Hormonal Balance, Biofeedback, Exercise, and Other Options | |
| One Woman's Experience | |
| Summary | |
13 | Estrogen and Your Heart: Not Just a Menopause Problem | 338 |
| Heart Disease Hits Women, Too | |
| Risk Factors Affecting Women and Men | |
| Cardiovascular Symptoms and Disease: Many Variations | |
| Heart Basics--How the System Works | |
| The Cardiovascular Protection Role of Estrogen: Research Advances | |
| PCOS, Syndrome X, and Your Heart | |
| Progesterone and Progestin Effects in Cardiovascular Disease | |
| The HERS Study: Points to Clarify the Controversy and Confusion | |
| Testosterone: Pros and Cons for Heart Disease Risks | |
14 | Breast Cancer: Controversies and Risks You Aren't Told, Options to Explore | 367 |
| The Hormone Controversy | |
| Media Influences | |
| Dietary Fat and Other Factors | |
| Alcohol and Tobacco | |
| Environmental Toxins | |
| A Look at Your Real Risks | |
| Research Advances: New Findings, Hopeful Outlooks | |
| Options to Explore | |
| Integrated Approaches for Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit | |
15 | Hormone Therapy: Facts and Fallacies | 408 |
| Taking a Look at the Big Picture: Symptoms and Health Risks | |
| Synthetic Progestins versus Natural Progesterone | |
| Progesterone and Wild Yam Over-the-Counter Creams: Caveat Emptor! | |
| Myths and Misunderstandings about Hormone Side Effects | |
| Dose Conversions: Human versus Conjugated Equine Estrogens, Progestins versus Natural Progesterone | |
| Cancer Risks: What's Real, What's Hype | |
| Hormone Therapy: Options and Choices to Individualize Your Program | |
| Potential Pitfalls and Problems with Hormone Therapy | |
| Target Levels for Optimal Replacement | |
| Thyroid Options: "Natural" versus "Synthetic" | |
| Decision Making: Thoughts to Guide You Through the Maze | |
16 | Complementary Medicine: Making "Holistic" Medicine Whole | 453 |
| What is Wholistic, or Integrative, Medicine? | |
| Women's Stories: Integrative Medicine at Its Best | |
| Issues to Consider with Soy and Other Alternatives for Menopause Rx | |
| Are Herbal Remedies Safe and Effective? | |
| Summary | |
17 | Fat To Fit: Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes For All Ages | 472 |
| VR's Story | |
| Research on Men Doesn't Necessarily Apply to Women | |
| Eating for "Wellness of Being" | |
| Sorting Out the Fads | |
| Food as Fuel for Energy and Zest | |
| Body Weight versus Body Composition | |
| Vicious Cycles: Food Cravings and the Menstrual Cycle | |
| Moving the Body in Spite of Limitations | |
18 | Osteoporosis--A Case for Preventive Medicine | 496 |
| Patsy's Story | |
| Hormone Effects on Bone | |
| The Truth about Bone Effects of Progesterone Creams | |
| Checking Your Bone Balance: Getting Tested | |
| Ethnic Issues: Serious Implications for African-American Women | |
| Nonhormonal Medication Options to Preserve and Build Bone | |
| If You Take Premarin and Think Your Bones Are Fine--Take a Look at These Women's Stories! | |
19 | Patient And Physician: Imperative Agendas In Women's Health For the 21st Century | 517 |
| Stereotypes of Women: What Doctors Are Taught | |
| Restoring Trust in Physician-Patient Relationships | |
| Listening to Women's Wisdom Again | |
| Ferreting Out Family History: Connections Between Your Ancestors and Your Health | |
| Becoming an "Activated Patient": Getting Involved to Protect Your Health | |
| Finding the Right Doctor for You: Questions to Ask | |
| Women's Centers: Looking Beyond the Marketing Hype | |
| Health Care Reform: Crucial Women's Issues for the Twenty-first Century | |
| Where Do We Go from Here? | |
20 | Take Charge! Creating Your Journey To Optimal Health | 538 |
| Prelude | |
| Quiet Time: Reflection, Journaling, Meditation | |
| Food for the Soul: Feeding Women's Spirit | |
| The Physician Becomes Patient... Again | |
| Benediction | |
Appendix I. | Glossary of Terms | 556 |
Appendix II. | Resources | 579 |
I. | Sources for Natural Hormones | |
II. | Resources for Information: Books, Clinical Centers, and National Organizations | |
Appendix III. | What's Wrong? Quiz Yourself Before You See the Doctor | 598 |
| Self Test: Do You Have PMS? | |
| Self Test: Are You Beginning or in Menopause? | |
| Self Test: Cancer Risk Questionnaire for Women | |
| Self Test: Are You at Risk for Serious Bone Loss and Osteoporsis? | |
| Self Test: Do You Have a Sleep Disorder? | |
| Self Test: Do You Have Fibromyalgia? | |
| Self Test: Are You at Risk for Heart Disease? | |
| Self Test: What's Your Stress Index? | |
| Self Test: How's My Sexuality? | |
| Self Test: Do You have a problem with Alcohol? | |
| Self Test: Do You Have a Major Depression? | |
| Self Test: Do You Have an Anxiety Disorder? | |
| Self Test: Do You Have an Eating Disorder? | |
| Self Test: Do You Have OCD? Obsessions and Comnpulsions Checklist | |
| Take Charge! Dr. Vliet's Guide to Periodic Personal Health Screenings | |
| Check List: Questions to Ask Your Women's Health Center | |
| Index | 630 |