I am a little confused. I first read Dr. John Lee's book and thought it to be great. I am now reading Dr. Vliet's books. Is it me or is she sorta going against what Dr. Lee said? I have tended to lean a little more towards her side. I have on and off used progest creme but lately have been using one she lists as having very high amounts of progesterone in it. I am guessing that would explain some of my symptoms esp. horrible breast tenderness. I stopped using it today. Her book explains so much and I want everyone to read it! I would love to slip a copy to each of my doctors and to all of my friends.

I have never felt quite right in the hormone department esp. when I reached my 20's. I never could have children and they never found any explanation as to why. I have always had regular periods and my doctor always told me because of that, your hormones are fine. I am telling you they aren't fine. I have especially noticed after hitting my late 30's cause weird things started to take place. I have now started to keep track of my cycles day by day. Including how I feel and the weird things that might happen. For instance this month I got a sudden spell of dizziness followed by a mild hot flash with my blood pressure being a little high too. I sat down and looked at my calendar. I already knew I was ovulating (the pain this month was terrible) and the help of Dr. Vliet's book helped me to realize my estrogen had taken a nose dive causing my symptoms.

My suggesting to all entering peri is to read Dr. Vliet's books cause she puts everything into perspective!! I only wish that more women would talk about it. I feel like even when I talk to my sister, who is not quite 2 years younger than I, that sometimes she doesn't want to discuss it. I keep telling her that her time is coming and she will be asking me questions.

Steph

Steph,

You are right about Vliet’s books; they are the best.

I read Lee first as well, then Reiss, Vliet, and Gillespie with Redmond somewhere in the middle. I have others also but they were just bad. Shippen’s men’s book about testosterone has a good chapter about women. Back when I was a Lee follower I used to recommend his books but no more. Reiss is good but I think he has it wrong about progesterone and having to use triest. I have two of Gillespie’s books that I have found helpful but in the end Vliet is the best (IMHO).

I did not read Vliet’s books for a long time because when I first heard about them I went to her site and found out that she charges over $3000 for a consult. For some reason that annoyed me and I boycotted her books for a wile. I wised up though and bought several of her books and have not looked back. Now I am thinking that I wish I could afford the $3000+ fee because she is probably worth it.

Kathy

charging $3000 still seems MEAN to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow I guess I didn't realize she charges $3,000+ to see her. I think it would be great to see her as a patient anyway. I know that lab work can be expensive. I remember just getting some basic lab work when I saw a new fertility doctor and that cost me $500 just for the lab work. The thing that made me mad was he tested my Rubella resistance which was a waste of time cause I had a second MMR in junior high cause I was in that group of kids that didn't take the first time. Of course it showed I was immune. He also checked my husband and I both for HIV. Hello, where would I get that? My husband and I were high school sweethearts and have never been with anyone else. Of course it was negative too. Sorta like having surgery they always do a pregnancy test on me too. What a waste of money that is also. Besides don't you have to have a libido to have sex to get pregnant? Mine left a lonnnnnnnngggggg time ago! LOL I haven't used birth control for about 18 years so if that miracle was going to take place I would think it would have by now.

In the end, I still think I would see her just for some answers. I do plan to ask my Gyn at my checkup in October if he knows who she is and has read her books!

Steph