Table of Contents
Prologue ix
Foreword Dr Alvin Pettle xiii
Introduction: Hormone Havoc xvii
Environmental Hormones, Sexless Alligators, and YOU xviii
Birth Control Pills are a Dangerous Xenoestrogen xxiv
1 Hormone and Endocrine Basics 1
Hormone Messengers Control the Body 2
Hormone Factories 4
Endocrine Summary 16
2 The Hormones at the Heart of Hormone Havoc 17
The Making of Steroid Hormones 17
Estrogens 19
Progesterone 23
Testosterone 24
DHEA 25
Cortisol 25
Thyroid Hormones: The Great Equalizers 28
3 The Ins and Outs of Hormone Testing 30
Reviewing Your Menstrual History 30
Reviewing Your Symptoms 36
Lab Test Help for the Hormone Puzzle 41
Tests for Adrenal function 50
Testing Thyroid Function 51
Two Non-Hormone Tests that Can Save Your Life 53
Beyond Hormone Testing 55
4 The Truth about Hormone Therapies 56
The Story of Synthetic Hormones 56
What are Bioidentical Hormones? 61
How Hormones are Delivered 62
Research on Bioidentical Hormones 65
Bioidentical Hormones to Restore Balance 69
Bioidentical Hormone Profiles 70
Finding a Bioidentical-Friendly Doctor 78
Compounding Pharmacies 78
5 Treatments to Tame Hormone Havoc 80
Hormone Havoc During Peri-menopause 81
Protect the Reproductive System and Make Periods Effortless 83
Uterine Fibroids and Heavy Bleeding 95
Endometriosis 97
Ovarian Cysts and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 100
Fibrocystic Breast Disease 102
Lifestyle Recommendations for all Estrogen-dominant Conditions 104
A Warning about Hysterectomies 104
Support the Adrenal Glands 107
Correct Low Thyroid 111
Solve Insomnia 118
End Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) 122
Restore Hormone Balance at Menopause 125
Lift Depression 135
Boost a Low Libido 136
Symptom-Free Withdrawal from Synthetic Hormones 144
6 Sexy Hormone Diet Part One: Maintaining Hormone Balance 147
Carbohydrates 148
Dietary Fats 151
Dietary Protein: A Building Block for Hormones 157
Dietary Support for the Adrenals and Thyroid Function 163
7 Sexy Hormone Diet Part Two: Boosting Sexy Hormones 164
Chocolate: The Love Drug 164
Testosterone-boosting Foods 165
Estrogen and Foods: The Great, The Good, and The Ugly 166
8 Get Physical: Exercise Your Sexy Hormones 179
Soothing Hormone Havoc with Exercise 179
Move It or Lose It 181
The Healthy Exercise Program 183
42-Day Program that Gets Results: Fitness Fun in 10 Minutes a Day 185
9 The Anatomy of Great Sex 199
Sex Is Good Exercise 199
Exploring Your Sexual Anatomy 200
Loving Yourself 205
10 Program Yourself for Pleasure 211
Is it All In Your Head? 212
Tackling the Stress in Your Life 220
Rekindling the Mood 223
Appendix: Recommended Products and Services 227
References 232
Index 269
About the Authors 283
