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

by Suzanne Somers, Suzanne Somers (Narrated by)

Overview

In this passionately argued and enormously practical book, Suzanne supports her own research and experiences with the expertise of leading doctors in the field of women’s and men’s health and sexuality to create an inspiring, accessible call-to-arms to women to radically rethink how they approach life after fifty, and give them the tools to turn their lives around.

Suzanne has discovered that the second half of life has been more rewarding, fun, and purposeful than her younger years. The key to her happiness? Taking natural bioidentical hormones. Natural hormones, which mimic the hormones produced in our own bodies that are almost completely lost with aging, are the answer to the symptoms of menopause that plague women. Recent findings from the medical community show that synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be harmful to women—thus, thousands of women are looking for what else they can do to alleviate their symptoms. In The Sexy Years, Suzanne comes to the rescue with a step-by-step plan and detailed information about how women can take control of their health, for themselves and for their men, including:

What the differences are between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, and why bioidentical hormones help women lose weight, reinvigorate their sex lives, and fight the symptoms of aging

How doctors do not receive adequate training about hormones and are slaves to the pharmaceutical industry, and what questions every woman must ask her physician about hormone replacement therapy and her health

How Suzanne turned her life around, with information about how often she visits her doctor, blood work, what hormones she takes, how to get these hormones, and more

What male menopause, or andropause, is and how men can also take bioidentical hormones and regain the energy they had in their youth

What a variety of specialists think about natural hormones, health, and sexuality—Suzanne shares the best advice from these doctors and provides a resource list of physicians and pharmacies

With bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, Suzanne has found the fountain of youth, the elixir that has made her feel thirty years old again. In combination with her Somersize diet and fitness plan, which she also writes about here, Suzanne has never felt better. The beauty of growing older, she maintains, is that you can combine the wisdom of age with the vitality of youth. Suzanne makes it perfectly clear how women and men can regain their zest for life at any age. These really are the sexy years!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739304389
Publisher:	Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/08/2007
Edition description:	Abridged

About the Author

Suzanne Somers is the author of sixteen books, including the New York Times bestsellers Keeping Secrets, five Somersize titles, and The Sexy Years. The former star of the hit television programs Three's Company and Step by Step, Suzanne is one of the most trusted and respected brand names in the world, representing cosmetics and skin care products, apparel, jewelry, a computerized facial fitness system, fitness products, and an extensive food line. Suzanne received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from National University and is a highly sought-after commencement speaker. For more information, go to her website SuzanneSomers.com.

Read an Excerpt

CANCER

The last words I ever thought I'd hear about myself were "You have breast cancer." It was as though someone had dropped a load of lead on my head. I felt stunned. This is something that happens to other people, I thought. Not me. I figured, I am healthy, I eat right, I have exercised all my life. My sister being diagnosed with breast cancer four years earlier was just a fluke. I mean, other than her, there is no history of breast cancer in my family, I reasoned. How could this be happening?

Every year since I turned forty I have been going to the USC/ Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital in Los Angeles. I always looked forward to seeing my doctor, Mel Silverstein, who created the concept of the breast centers in this country. He is a nice guy and has committed his life to the care of women's breasts. My husband always jokingly tells him he is the luckiest guy around because he spends his days feeling women's bosoms.

It was time for my yearly mammogram, and I had been religious about having annual checkups since I turned forty. Because I had been so diligent, I cockily assumed that I was immune to the disease. After all, keeping such a vigilant check on my breasts would ensure that even if there was a problem, we would find it before it ever had a chance to take hold. The nurse pulled and squeezed, flattened, and pressed my poor aching breasts into positions no breast was meant to endure. But it was for a good cause, and all women know that the discomfort and humiliation are worth it in the long run, because this examination is about life, health, and prevention.

"Well, I don't see anything to worry about," Dr. Silverstein announced cheerily after looking at my mammogram.

I felt relieved, even though I hadn't even considered the possibility. Now I could go on with my life for another year knowing I had beaten the statistics once again.

I went into the changing room and hurriedly put my clothes back on. I had a busy day ahead of me--meetings with the various vendors for my jewelry business, the skin care line, updates on the fitness business, costume fittings, and a band rehearsal to get ready for an upcoming date in Las Vegas the following week. I was filled with energy and vitality.

"Suzanne?" I heard Dr. Silverstein call through the changing room door.

"Yes," I answered.

"You know, you've got such cystic breasts--lumps and bumps everywhere. How about having an ultrasound for good measure?"

I opened the door, wondering why this would be necessary. "Wasn't everything okay with my mammography?" I asked.

"Sure," Dr. Silverstein said good-naturedly. "It's just that we have this new state-of-the-art ultrasound machine. I just paid half a million dollars for it; and what the heck, let's take a look for good measure."

Why not, I reasoned. I was there, and it would only take another half hour. Surely I could fit this into my busy schedule. My health was more important than anything.

I lay down on a stationary bed in the ultrasound room, feeling no alarm, since this was just for "good measure." The technician rubbed on some cold, gooey liquid (a conductive fluid) and then began a gentle movement on my breasts with a wand about the size of a curling iron. She kept rubbing back and forth for some time in one particular area on my upper right breast. Then she excused herself and said she would be back in a couple of moments. I still felt no alarm. I had been through these exams before. Often we found cysts that were...

Editorial Reviews

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. (On sale Feb. 24) Forecast: Given Somers's celebrity and the success of her earlier titles, strong sales are likely. The publisher plans a 20-city TV satellite tour, ads in USA Today and a simultaneous audio edition. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly