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Screaming To Be Heard » (REVISED)

Book cover image of Screaming To Be Heard by Elizabeth Lee Vliet

Authors: Elizabeth Lee Vliet
ISBN-13: 9780871319142, ISBN-10: 0871319144
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Evans, M. & Company, Inc.
Date Published: January 2001
Edition: REVISED

Author Biography: Elizabeth Lee Vliet

Book Synopsis

In this book, Dr. Vliet continues her crusade to debunk myths and misinformation on women's health.

	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