Book Review - Female Brain Gone Insane; GIVEAWAY!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
You all know that I have done MANY posts on the effects that perimenopause has on me & my body. I have been "fighting" this stage of my life for 4-5 years at least with times when symptoms are less & times when I want to tear my hair out! I have had just about all the symptoms of perimenopause in conjunction with PMS! They come & go & come back again along with new ones... YIKES! Now, some women don't have even close the problems I have had & others have had worse issues with their hormones.
I was asked to read & review a book called Female Brain Gone Insane. If you click on that link, it takes you to the authors website. The author even mentioned in her book that she was hesitant about the book title because there are so many stereo types of women in regards to their emotions & especially during PMS & the later stages in life. BUT, she knew from her practice that women who were really struggling with this hormone imbalance actually felt this way at times during PMS, perimenopause & menopause. The author also struggled with postpartum depression which led her to her practice to help women in a more natural way with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She was linking hormone imbalances with brain chemistry imbalances. I loved that she wrote for women that "there are legitimate reasons you feel the way you do" and "having emotional issues is not a sign of personal weakness or lack of character". I felt her book was meant more to empower women so they are not crazy for feeling the way they do!
She breaks the book down into 3 parts:
1. The Science Behind the Insanity & the Solution. She even writes that if it is too technical for you, go right to the worksheets & less technical chapters.
2. Your Emotional Rescue Plan to determine your emotional type/brain chemistry profile with charts (Your Monthly Symptom Tracker & Your Emotional Rescue Plan) to help you track your emotions & symptoms. These really help women work through their hormonal issues.
3. Supplemental Steps to help you see if you would benefit from additional medical tests.
The book also includes personal stories of women that have gone through this in the PMS, perimenopause & menopause stages of life. Helpful to read that we are not alone!
The book does write specifically about bioidentical HRT being the best option for women with hormonal problems. She is also quick to mention to always check with your own doctor as well. There are A LOT of supplements suggested in the book but always with the caveat to check with your doctor. She refers back to her own site many times for supplements as well which sometimes turns me off BUT she also offers up suggestions for those that are going to buy them through their own source. SHe does not say you have to buy from her site but it is mentioned often. Hey, it is her book!
The author Mia Lunden, NP, RN, is the founder & director of The Center for Hormonal & Nutritional Balance Inc. in Santa Barbara, CA. You can also check out these additional links:
Now, if I had the money, I would be at one of these bioidentical hormone specialists! Oprah is one of the many that have done shows on this. As you may know, Suzanne Somers is a huge proponent of bioidentical HRT. Now she takes WAY more supplements than I ever want to think about BUT the women on Oprah's show that went to a specialist in Los Angeles, CA had amazing results for this type of therapy. For me, there were times I really could have used some help but I keep working thru it naturally for now. I am not quite insane... I guess it depends on who you ask!
There was a lot of information in this book I found useful although it does not all pertain to me. One reviewer thought it was too focused on "taking stuff" versus more relaxing & meditation type techniques. I am all for that but as one that has gone thru some pretty tough times with hormones, those techniques just don't do it all if you have some pretty bad hormone issues.
PS: I was going to put a new picture of me on here today but this post is already too long. I will do that Thursday or Friday. It is related to my hormone issues so that is why I wanted to do it today. To be continued!
You all know that I have done MANY posts on the effects that perimenopause has on me & my body. I have been "fighting" this stage of my life for 4-5 years at least with times when symptoms are less & times when I want to tear my hair out! I have had just about all the symptoms of perimenopause in conjunction with PMS! They come & go & come back again along with new ones... YIKES! Now, some women don't have even close the problems I have had & others have had worse issues with their hormones. I was asked to read & review a book called Female Brain Gone Insane. If you click on that link, it takes you to the authors website. The author even mentioned in her book that she was hesitant about the book title because there are so many stereo types of women in regards to their emotions & especially during PMS & the later stages in life. BUT, she knew from her practice that women who were really struggling with this hormone imbalance actually felt this way at times during PMS, perimenopause & menopause. The author also struggled with postpartum depression which led her to her practice to help women in a more natural way with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She was linking hormone imbalances with brain chemistry imbalances. I loved that she wrote for women that "there are legitimate reasons you feel the way you do" and "having emotional issues is not a sign of personal weakness or lack of character". I felt her book was meant more to empower women so they are not crazy for feeling the way they do!
She breaks the book down into 3 parts:
1. The Science Behind the Insanity & the Solution. She even writes that if it is too technical for you, go right to the worksheets & less technical chapters.
2. Your Emotional Rescue Plan to determine your emotional type/brain chemistry profile with charts (Your Monthly Symptom Tracker & Your Emotional Rescue Plan) to help you track your emotions & symptoms. These really help women work through their hormonal issues.
3. Supplemental Steps to help you see if you would benefit from additional medical tests.
The book also includes personal stories of women that have gone through this in the PMS, perimenopause & menopause stages of life. Helpful to read that we are not alone!
The book does write specifically about bioidentical HRT being the best option for women with hormonal problems. She is also quick to mention to always check with your own doctor as well. There are A LOT of supplements suggested in the book but always with the caveat to check with your doctor. She refers back to her own site many times for supplements as well which sometimes turns me off BUT she also offers up suggestions for those that are going to buy them through their own source. SHe does not say you have to buy from her site but it is mentioned often. Hey, it is her book!
The author Mia Lunden, NP, RN, is the founder & director of The Center for Hormonal & Nutritional Balance Inc. in Santa Barbara, CA. You can also check out these additional links:
Follow Mia on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mianp
Female Brain Gone Insane on Amazon.com
Now, if I had the money, I would be at one of these bioidentical hormone specialists! Oprah is one of the many that have done shows on this. As you may know, Suzanne Somers is a huge proponent of bioidentical HRT. Now she takes WAY more supplements than I ever want to think about BUT the women on Oprah's show that went to a specialist in Los Angeles, CA had amazing results for this type of therapy. For me, there were times I really could have used some help but I keep working thru it naturally for now. I am not quite insane... I guess it depends on who you ask!
There was a lot of information in this book I found useful although it does not all pertain to me. One reviewer thought it was too focused on "taking stuff" versus more relaxing & meditation type techniques. I am all for that but as one that has gone thru some pretty tough times with hormones, those techniques just don't do it all if you have some pretty bad hormone issues.PS: I was going to put a new picture of me on here today but this post is already too long. I will do that Thursday or Friday. It is related to my hormone issues so that is why I wanted to do it today. To be continued!
GIVEAWAY
For those interested for themselves or a loved one, I have a GIVEAWAY for one copy of this book!
To enter, just comment about your own experiences or those of a loved one OR anything else you think is pertinent. I will keep this open thru Wednesday, January 20th at 6pm PST. Winner will be announced on Thursday, January 21st.
Contest is for United States And Canada only
PPS: Tomorrow is my last boxing/kickboxing post with not only pictures of me BUT a 30 trial membership GIVEAWAY to LA Boxing!
For those interested for themselves or a loved one, I have a GIVEAWAY for one copy of this book!
To enter, just comment about your own experiences or those of a loved one OR anything else you think is pertinent. I will keep this open thru Wednesday, January 20th at 6pm PST. Winner will be announced on Thursday, January 21st.
Contest is for United States And Canada only
PPS: Tomorrow is my last boxing/kickboxing post with not only pictures of me BUT a 30 trial membership GIVEAWAY to LA Boxing!
Posted by truth2beingfit at 1/19/2010 12:01 AM 
Categories: Health Issues,Giveaway,Motivation/Support,Women Issues,Reviews,Wellness
Tags: Health Issues Giveaway Motivation/Support Women Issues Reviews Wellness
Categories: Health Issues,Giveaway,Motivation/Support,Women Issues,Reviews,Wellness
Tags: Health Issues Giveaway Motivation/Support Women Issues Reviews Wellness
You aren't insane yet because you take care of yourself. I really wonder if our (modern society) poor nutrition and lack of activity increases the brain/hormonal problems. I'd be interested in seeing a graph comparing modern hormonal problems to that of 150 years ago or to societies that still eat real food and were active.
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I know you just got this a few days ago, but I am awarding you with it again! Don't worry about reposting, just know that I enjoy your blog!!!
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The Happy 101 Award, I meant!
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Very interesting post. I actually found a great supplement that helped with hot flashes--phytoestrogen--and no longer are tortured by them (well, maybe I "out grew" them-heh).
I'm looking forward to the LA Fitness kickboxing giveaway, since we now have them here in the Cinti. area! Maybe we could compare pics!
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Very interesting. Nice blog with a bunch of great information! You look amazing by the way.
I want to start kickboxing so I will be looking forward to your post on that too.
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Just wanted to say hello! I'm not quite ready for this book...yet!
Looking forward to hearing more about your LA Boxing experience!
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I hope you can find ways to make this voyage a little smoother for you, Jody!
Although there is some thought that men have a similar passage, many women probably feel that men spend their entire life going through the change
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Dr. J, your comment was so funny!
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I would love a copy of this book! If I don't win I will have to get it at amazon!...still have a gift card left from x-mas!
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You are so smart for doing all this research on your health! Most people just accept changes and don't really look into it. Good for you!!
You don't need to enter me in the contest.. I don't need it yet!
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This book sounds great! I remember when my mom was going through some of these female changes and my dad saying, "Don't mind her - she's just lost her mind." He was kinda serious!
Thanks Jody for the review and hosting the giveaway!
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