What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause

REVISED AND UPDATED!

The breakthrough book on natural progesterone.
by John R. Lee, M.D. and Virginia Hopkins
Warner Books 2004 (439 Pages)

Here's where to find the Table of Contents for this original and classic book (extensively updated and revised in 2004), on natural progesterone by John R. Lee M.D., the pioneer in the use of natural hormones. Includes detailed and current information on using natural hormones, as well as diet and exercise, to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido, and osteoporosis.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
Introduction

PART I: THE INNER WORKINGS OF HORMONE BALANCE

Chapter 1 The Crux of the Matter: Menopausal Politics and Women’s Hormone Cycles

Menopausal Politics
What Is Menopause?
The Rise and Fall of Hormones During the Menstrual Cycle
Premenopause

Chapter 2 The Dance of the Steroids

The Cast of Major Players
Choreographing the Dance
The Journey Along the Steroid Hormone Pathway
The Dance of the Steroids
Four Movements: The Flow of Steroids in Our Bodies

Chapter 3 The History of Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Estrogen Myth

Menopause Becomes a Disease
The Truth Behind the Hoopla
Perpetuating the Estrogen Myth
The HRT Chickens Come Home to Roost

Chapter 4 What Is Estrogen?

How and Where Estrogens Are Made and Used in the Body
Estrogen and Cell Division
How Estrogen Affects a Woman’s Body
The Estrogen Dominance Syndrome
The Myth of Estrogen in Hormone Replacement Therapy
What Are Normal Estrogen Levels?

Chapter 5 Hormone Balance, Xenobiotics, and Future Generations

Turning on the Hormone Switch
The Canary in the Coal Mine?
The Impact on Future Generations
Safe Living in a Sea of Estrogens
Pesticides and Plastics
Solvents
Cleaning Up Your House
Cleaning Up Your Office
Xenoestrogens and Future Generations
If You Want to Know More

Chapter 6 What Is Natural Progesterone?

The Discovery and Use of Progesterone
Exactly What Is Progesterone?
Comparing the Synergistic Effects of Estrogen and Progesterone
The Cycle of Progesterone Production
Progesterone and Procreation
How Progesterone Affects the Body
Progesterone and Steroid Synthesis
Progesterone and the Brain
Progesterone and Sex Drive
Progesterone in Men

Chapter 7 The Dramatic Difference between Progesterone and Progestins

The Difference between Synthetic Drugs and Natural Compounds
What Is a Progestin?
Progesterone and Progestins: What’s the Difference?
Progestins Gave Birth to the Sexual Revolution

Chapter 8 Sex Hormones and the Brain

The Basics of Brain Communication
How the Inner and Outer Brains Regulate the Body
Estrogen and the Brain
Progesterone and the Brain
Progesterone and Fetal Brain Development
Progesterone and Brain Injuries
Progesterone and the Elderly
Progesterone and Libido
Postpartum Blues
Progesterone and Sleep Patterns

Chapter 9 What are Androgens?

DHEA
Testosterone
Androstenedione

Chapter 10 Hormone Balance and the Menstrual Cycle

The Rise and Fall of Hormone Levels
Anovulatory Cycles

PART II: HORMONE BALANCE AND ILLNESS

Chapter 11 Progesterone and Menopause Symptoms

The Mystery of Menopause
A Brief Look at Premenopause
Falling Estrogen and Progesterone, Rising GnRH, and Hot Flashes
Progesterone Deficiency
Menopause and Estrogen
Androgens and Menopause
What Can Be Done for Menopausal Symptoms?

Chapter 12 Hormone Balance and the Adrenal and Thyroid Glands

Premenopause and Stress
Follicle Burnout
Estrogen Excess
Possible Symptoms in Premenopausal Women with Estrogen Dominance
The Adrenal Glands
The Adrenal Cortex
The Role of DHEA
Nutritional Adrenal Support
How Cortisol Levels Affect Thyroid Function
Hormone Balance and Aging
Progesterone and Thyroid Hormone

Chapter 13 Hormone Balance, Nutrition and Osteoporosis

Debunking the Osteoporosis Myths
What Is Osteoporosis?
A Bit About How Bones Are Built
Osteoporosis and Estrogen
Osteoporosis and Progesterone
A Progesterone Cream and Bone Density Study
Other Osteoporosis Treatments
The Phosphonates (Fosamax, etc.)
SERMS (Evista)
Keeping Your Bones Strong
Testosterone, Minerals, Vitamins, Exercise
How Bones Are Depleted
Excess Protein, Diuretics, Antibiotics, Fluoride, Metabolic Acidosis, Alcohol, Hyperthyroidism, Cortisone, Asthma inhalers, Depo Provera
What Your Doctor May Not Know About Bone Density Measurement
What Does Bone Density Really Mean
Use Height as a Baseline
Techniques for Measuring Bone Mineral Density

Chapter 14 Women and Cardiovascular Disease

Estrogen and Heart Disease
Progesterone and Heart Disease
Only Half of Heart Attack Deaths in Women are Caused by Blocked Arteries
Insulin and Heart Disease
Food Basics
Slowing the Glucose Train
What about Cholesterol?
High Blood Pressure
Iron Overload
Homocysteine
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Nutrition and Lifestyle
What About Aspirin?
Strokes and Hormone Balance
Preventing Strokes
What Increases Stroke Risk
What Decreases Stroke Risk

Chapter 15 Hormone Balance and Cancer

Reestablishing Cellular Communication
How Cancer Develops
Estrogen Stimulates Cell Growth
The Cancer-Protective Benefits of Progesterone
Breast Cancer
Hormone Receptors in Breast Cancer
What About Mammograms?
Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors Endometrial Cancer
Why Your Doctor May Be Poorly Informed
Transcultural Factors in Breast and Uterine Cancer

Chapter 16 Getting Off Conventional HRT and Onto Natural Hormones

Questions and Answers About Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

Chapter 17 Natural Hormone Balance and Pelvic Disorders

Vaginitis
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Ovarian Cysts and Mittelschmerz
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Endometrial Cancer
Hysterectomy
Staying Naturally Healthy

Chapter 18 Hormone Balance and Other Common Health Problems

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Hypothyroidism (Low Thyroid)
Fibrocystic Breasts
Migraine Headaches
Skin Problems (Acne, Seborrhea, Rosacea, Psoriasis, and Keratoses)
High Blood Pressure
Candida
Allergies
Arthritis
Autoimmune Disorders
Urinary Tract Problems
Gallbladder Disease and Bile Flow

PART III: CREATING AND MAINTAINING HORMONE BALANCE

Chapter 19 How to Use Progesterone Supplementation

Types of Progesterone Supplementation
Testing Your Hormone Levels
Not All Wild Yam Extract Is Progesterone
How and When to Use Natural Progesterone
Possible Side Effects of Progesterone
Dosage Recommendations for Natural Progesterone
How to Get the Most Out of Your Progesterone Cream
When During the Month to Use Progesterone Cream
Guidelines for Menopause, Premenopause, Hysterectomy, etc.
Using Progesterone If You Have Migraines
If I’m Menopausal and Take Progesterone, Will My Periods Start Again?
Where to Find Natural Progesterone Cream

Chapter 20 How to Use Estrogen, DHEA, Pregnenolone, the Corticosteroids, Testosterone and Androstenedione

Estrogen
DHEA
Pregnenolone
The Corticosteroids
Testosterone
Androstenedione

Chapter 21 Nutrition for Healthy Hormones

Refined Carbohydrates
Excess Calories, Not Just Excess Fat
Good Fats and Bad Fats
Whole Foods are Best
Eat Organic Foods Whenever Possible
Is Vegetarianism Protective?
Opt for Free Range Meat, Eggs and Poultry
Are Dairy Foods Right for You?
Eat Your Phytochemicals
Drink Plenty of Clean Water
Take Your Multivitamins/Minerals
Get Some Exercise
How Are Your Adrenal Glands Working?
Digestion
Preventing Heartburn
Taking Care of the Large Intestine: Probiotics
Special Foods for Hormone Balance
Herbs for Hormone Balance

Chapter 22 Commonly Asked Questions about Using Natural Progesterone

Glossary Recommended Reading

RESOURCES

Sources of Natural Progesterone Supplements
Sources of Salivary Hormone Tests
Recommended Alternative Health Newsletters
Appendix: The Structure of Steroid Hormones