Screaming to Be Heard by Vliet, M. Lee D. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Half title Title Copyright Dedication Acknowledgments Contents Author’s Note Introduction to the Revised Edition Introduction 1: Screaming to Be Heard! Listening to Women’s Voices

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 Aren’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

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

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

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?

. . . 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 Evalution 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:

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Appendix II. Resources

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

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

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