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By Raquel Martin and Judi Gerstung, DC
 Sylvia
Crawley, M.D. reviews The Estrogen Alternative saying "As women become more
and more involved in decisions about hormone therapy, this book "serves a vital need.
It is very timely and addresses this increasinly complex problem. The dilemma is due, in
great part, to the many inconclusive and contradictory studies pubished by traditional
medical institutions. It examaines the benefits of natural progesterone supplementation
for women of all ages, with the author's shared experiences making THE ESTROGEN
ALTERNATIVE even more appealing. She offers educational support for women who wish to
participate actively in decisions about their own care. She also presents a challenge to
the physicians who, it is hoped, will become more receptive to patients wishing to
consider a more natural approach."
Joseph
A. Randall, M.D. states that this book "has been instrumental in changing
the health care I provide to women. Where once I focused on synthetic HRT with estrogen,
thinking the benefits outweighed the risks, I now strongly support the use of natural HRT.
For example, the book documents the fact that estrogen replacement merely delays but does
not prevent osteoporosis. Natural progesterone, with its virtual absence of side effects,
makes sense; and using it in my practice (OB/GYN and fertility) has greatly improved my
patient's quality of life." END
John
T. Hart, MD. Raquel Martin and her co-author, Dr. Judi Gerstung, have performed a tremendous service to
the women of America by writing The Estrogen Alternative. I believe all women will
greatly benefit from reading this well-written and resource-laden book. I am sure
many will identify with Raquel's experiences and frustration as she wanders through the
maze of traditional medical therapy seeking relief for her menopausal symptoms.
It has been my observation that when women are presented with the information in this
book, it makes sense to them and provides encouragement for change. As the authors point
out, not only are the hot flashes, irregular menses, and emotional upsets relieved by
natural hormone therapy, but also such conditions as insomnia, weight gain, dry skin,
fatigue, osteoporosis, thinning hair, and depression. Unfortunately, the symptoms on
this list, often wrongly attributed to estrogen deficiency rather than estrogen dominance,
are treated by allopathic medicine with even more estrogen. This can lead to
worsening of symptoms, increased bleeding, or the often unnecessary hysterectomy.
Not recognizing that many of these problems could be eliminated or controlled by Nature's
counterbalance to estrogen, natural progesterone, the physician may deal with the other
notable symptoms created by estrogen dominance as separate maladies, resulting in
individual testing and treatment for each complaint. Depression is treated as a Prozac
deficiency, water retention with a diuretic, weight gain with appetite
suppressants--whereas the solution can be as simple as counteracting estrogen overload
with what she is no longer able to produce on her own--namely, progesterone.
Women today need a book like this to understand what is happening to their bodies during
pre- peri- and post-menopause and to recognize the symptoms of estrogen dominance and
anovulation that are so prevalent. It is a
tremendous resource to any practitioner such as myself to recommend to his patients. It is
a valuable teaching tool as I try to educate my patients about the many hormonal changes
that are taking place. With this knowledge, women can make informed choices, not
only about natural hormone therapy, but also about exercise, diet, and vitamin and mineral
supplementation. The Estrogen Alternative fulfills this need. Otherwise, my
patients are at the mercy of the pharmaceutical industry and their dollars that are pumped
into women's magazines and other advertising media.
Julia
Busch, editor of the So Young newsletter: A must read if you are a woman
and value your health. "If you are a menstruating woman with cramps, mood swings,
or other symptoms of PMS—if you have undergone chemotherapy, are suffering joint
pain, have osteoporosis, or have seriously tried to diet and still can't lose
weight—if you are peri-menopausal, menopausal, or post menopausal—if you are a
woman and do not read this book, you are very possibly denying yourself the most important
information of your physical life. Not only are the many discomforts women feel associated
with excess estrogen production—a hormone which, contrary to popular advertisements,
continues to be produced after menopause—but the synthetic varieties, hawked by
pharmaceutical companies, can be deadly. A powerfully persuasive, well written, and
extensively documented case for natural, nonprescription, yam-derived progesterone that
balances estrogen and actually produces it if needed. A must read if you value your
health."
Be
sure to see the Photo Gallery pictures of Marcia, Raquel and Dr. Judi!
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