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What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Menopause (What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About...) Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 1,186 ratings

 From a doctor who has “pioneered in women’s health,” an alternative to HRT for managing menopause symptoms (Christiane Northrup, MD, author of The Wisdom of Menopause).

Arguing that giving estrogen replacement therapy to women after menopause is medically the wrong thing to do, Dr. John Lee suggests that natural progesterone can prevent most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause, including osteoporosis and weight gain.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Women considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause symptoms and health benefits should read this controversial, provocative book first. "Advertising and research dollars are spent trying to convince women that estrogen will cure everything from heart disease to Alzheimer's," writes John R. Lee, M.D., "but there is scant evidence for any of these claims and reams of evidence that synthetic estrogens are highly toxic and carcinogenic." Lee has studied the research and concludes that estrogen is not the magic bullet for protection against heart disease and osteoporosis, nor does it retard aging. Natural progesterone, instead, puts postmenopausal women's hormones in balance, says Lee. He cites study after study that indicates that natural progesterone, obtained in cream form, delivers what the usual HRT only promises.

"Menopause as a disease has been largely fabricated by physicians and the pharmaceutical industry," says this leader of a "quiet but powerful revolution" regarding HRT. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause covers the benefits of natural progesterone, the history and politics of the medical and drug establishment, the biochemistry and dynamics of hormones and how they get out of balance, and how to prevent hormone imbalance and stay healthy. Lee empowers you to ask hard questions of your doctor. Highly recommended. --Joan Price

About the Author

Virginia Hopkins, MA, is the editor of the newsletter The Virginia Hopkins Health Watch and has an extensive website of articles about bioidentical hormones, nutrition, and prescription alternatives. Hopkins has been a writer and editor since she graduated from Yale University in 1976. She has a masters degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.

John R. Lee, MD, (19292003) was internationally acknowledged as a pioneer and expert in the study and use of the hormone progesterone, and on the subject of hormone replacement therapy for women. Dr. Lee had a distinguished medical career, including graduating from Harvard and the University of Minnesota Medical School. After he retired from a thirty-year family practice in Northern California, he began writing and traveling around the world to speak about his medical findings.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000Q9INNG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 2004)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2004
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 372 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,186 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,186 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book extremely informative about menopause, explaining the science behind hormone balance, and consider it a must-read for women. The book receives positive feedback for its value, with customers saying it's worth the price. While many find it easy to read and understand, some note it can be too detailed for superficial readers.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

187 customers mention "Information quality"181 positive6 negative

Customers find the book extremely informative, explaining the science behind menopause and related health aspects.

"...a heavy, but good, reading for me, that is it's containing of extremely many word for doctors that I couldn't find in my translating books from..." Read more

"...Progesterone cream is great for breast cancer patients, those who have had hysterectomies, heart disease, polycystic ovaries (PCOS), endometriosis,..." Read more

"...What a treasure trove of info I could apply daily. I’ve recommended this many times already and it sits on my LR table for when I have a question...." Read more

"I love this book and it does contain very useful information about hormones...." Read more

126 customers mention "Readability"126 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as wonderful and a great resource that every woman needs to read.

"...It has been a heavy, but good, reading for me, that is it's containing of extremely many word for doctors that I couldn't find in my translating..." Read more

"...way I look at the medications I was taking, and now I am approaching menopause with a new, true understanding...." Read more

"...This book is also a must read to help women understand how hormones are related to breast cancer...." Read more

"Good book with Fantastic info!" Read more

30 customers mention "Ease of treatment"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for treatment, with one mentioning it provides pros and cons of different approaches, while another reports experiencing relief from anxiety and depression.

"...The book talks about natural progesterone's history, clinical studies, usage, and how the medical community continues to prescribe fake chemical/..." Read more

"...I do, however, notice that I am not having migraines. The migraine-type headaches already have shifted to very tolerable regular headaches...." Read more

"...Insomnia relief and better quality of sleep Anxiety and depression relief Headache relief Lessening of joint pain..." Read more

"...Additionally, I am now sleeping through the night again and no longer feel depressed...." Read more

17 customers mention "Hormones"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book explains hormones, with one customer highlighting its comprehensive coverage of natural progesterone and bioidentical hormone replacement.

"...much helpful information about cancer, bone density, sagging skin, heart health, other vital hormone levels, and a host of things of interest to..." Read more

"...but it covers everything imaginable such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diet and exercise, sex hormones, cancer, PMS, hot flashes,..." Read more

"...Just search for a website called clear woman. Best health to all you ladies!" Read more

"...the amount of crucial information about women and hormones, and artificial hormones, as well as other lifestyle habits which contribute to imbalance..." Read more

15 customers mention "Value for money"12 positive3 negative

Customers find the book worth its price, with one mentioning it's packed with valuable information.

"...Bio-identical progesterone cream is inexpensive, does not require a prescription or a doctor's office visit, it's safe, and it works...." Read more

"...This alone is worth the price of the book and the cream...." Read more

"...This book is packed with valuable and helpful information that is important for every woman...." Read more

"awful" Read more

38 customers mention "Ease of reading"20 positive18 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it easy to read and understand, while others note that it is too detailed for superficial readers and too technical for their taste.

"...It's written simply and informatively. I first read his Hormone Balance Made Simple then ordered this book...." Read more

"...I would never read it cover to cover as it has entirely too much repetitive info...." Read more

"...The wording is the most easy to understand of any instructive book I've read on any subject!..." Read more

"...to keep things as simple as possible and to the point but to much info to take in .Mybe at somepoint I will return to this book but for now I have..." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2011
    This one, as well as the other books written by John Lee (JL), is an important book. This is a book which I would say that all doctors and physicians should be ordered to read. And when reading the book I discovered that besides being a book for women it also showed up to be a book with much important information for men (besides of course learning about the women's problems) in among other with the writings about Osteoporosis, Stress and other sicknesses of which both woman and man can be hit.

    I first bought these by JL written books after having read many other books about cancer, and especially breast cancer, after it 4 month ago for my wife was discovered that she had breast cancer and she (too) fast was trough a surgery. And besides I also first lately bought this actual book because it was a printing from way back in 2003, but then by reading the book it showed up to be with more important writings than in the already read newer books written by other doctors! Here I especially am thinking on the many problems there can come as the results of using Synthetic pills, and the failure in only given women Estrogen and not at the same time also Progesterone, and the failure that around 2/3 of all women already in their bodies are producing enough Estrogen and therefore don't even need Estrogen pills and then besides mostly get the it as a Synthetic one.

    Statistical it to me looks like my wife most probably was hit by breast cancer because she over 25 years had been taking a Synthetic Estrogen (we have know each other for the last 10 years), but weighting correct, eating good Asian food, not drinking alcohol, and so on also in all other ways living healthy.

    But first after having received the book I discovered how much interesting writings there also are about the Osteoporosis. Interesting on many points, first because I 5 years ago had a surgery in part of the arm closest to the right hand, after by pain having discovered that the bone at that point had lost the inside volume, marrow, over 2 - 3 inches. Second because JL explain what's the reason for 5 - 6 times more women than men are getting Osteoporosis, and that it's a myth that it by DNA is forced to be so; highly interesting. And for the third I will get in contact with the professor that cured my bone, and to him deliver a copy of a smaller book about Natural Progesterone Cream and show him this book by JL. Because for me it actually a few weeks ago showed up that here in Thailand, in the Hospitals and the Chemist's, there don't even exists any Progesterone Cream! I only in the biggest Chemist's, here in Chiang Mai, have found some Estrogen Cream. And then when by Amazon ordering some Progesterone Cream I from Amazon received the message that the laws in Thailand don't allow them to send this to me! But as the Progesterone Cream also are good for the bones I by contacting the professor will find out if I by that way can get this Cream to my wife, so that she can stop taking Tamoxifen. And besides maybe be giving the professor some good information and maybe thereby helping the patients with Osteoporosis (and all the other). As doctor he only works concerning bones and Osteoporosis.

    When my wife and I, 2 weeks ago, were by a younger doctor in the same hospital this doctor then ordered her to start taking Tamoxifen. I then said "What about Progesterone Cream instead?. But it showed up that he didn't know anything about this and couldn't understand how it as a Cream could work as a pill and thereby getting the needed contents into the body! So I had to explain it to him, and after that he no longer wanted to talk to me! Opposite to this I each time had god science talking with the professor.

    In the book there also are interested stories about patients that contacted JL as they had problems that their ordinary doctors couldn't solve. As in one case with a women who over 10 years coursed by Osteoporosis had ended up being 20 centimeter (8") lower, and about another women who's doctor over time again and again increased her amount of Progesterin, and neither did it result in anything. And it showed up that the problem was that he thought that Progesterin = Progesterone, and that it came from the nature and that it therefore aught to help/work!

    Last in the book there also for me are many interested sides concerning the chemicals connection between the molecules for Cholesterol, Estrogen and many other. Especially good because it also shows all of the molecules, so that we easier can follow the changes and se the small differences.

    It has been a heavy, but good, reading for me, that is it's containing of extremely many word for doctors that I couldn't find in my translating books from English to Danish, but luckily we now a day have Google. But again, an extremely good book written with information science.

    But it's a shame that John Lee longer no longer lives and then is writing more books and is trying to learn people more about the reality concerning most of the reason for to much cancer cases.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2011
    This little $8.00 paperback book changed the way I look at the medications I was taking, and now I am approaching menopause with a new, true understanding. I have a natural, over-the-counter bio-identical HRT plan that has quickly worked to make me feel better.

    Dr. John Lee's book is much more than your typical clinical info about "what to expect when you feel like a fading old bag slogging through menopause", but it does have a great deal of clinical info. But it's really about ALL of the female-related medical conditions that exist. It's for women of all ages, from those in their 20s to those super-seniors in their 80s and 90s. And it's about how all of us of all ages will benefit from bio-identical progesterone cream. The book talks about natural progesterone's history, clinical studies, usage, and how the medical community continues to prescribe fake chemical/synthesized meds because they can't make money from a natural product than can't be patented. Dr. Lee talks about the soaring rates of osteoporosis, breast cancer, etc., and how these are generally man-made diseases in industrialized countries.

    Dr. Lee discusses the following: osteoporosis (see the clinical trials in the book that prove progesterone cream prevents and CURES osteoporosis for women of all ages, even seniors) fibroids, cystic breasts, hair loss related to PCOS/androgenic alopecia and hair loss from "The Change", PMS symptoms, and the incredibly uncomfortable changes peri- and menopausal and post-menopausal women suffer through. Progesterone cream is great for breast cancer patients, those who have had hysterectomies, heart disease, polycystic ovaries (PCOS), endometriosis, vaginitis, migraines, cholesterol issues, and those trying to switch from conventional HRT to a natural regimen. Progesterone cream is not a cure-all, but it definitely helps--significantly--with a huge variety of hormonally-related "female trouble" for women of all ages. Bio-identical progesterone cream is inexpensive, does not require a prescription or a doctor's office visit, it's safe, and it works. So that's why your doctor doesn't tell you about it.

    Be aware that the low-dose 40mg progesterone cream per day that Dr. Lee recommends is not the recommended dosage these days...he passed in 2003, and since then, there has been a lot of new thinking about his approach. Many menopausal women have suffered through years of estrogen dominance and therefore need what is called a "loading dose" to initially compensate for this. This approach means taking 100mg+ progesterone cream per day without a break for 3-4 months, then trying to take a break of 1-2 days per month and slowly work for a 5-7 day break per month. During the months you start trying to take a break, you might try to slowly (by 10mg per day)lower your progesterone cream dose to the physiological doses originally recommended by Dr. Lee...down to 20-60mg per day is what some women strive for. But some women may need more--listen to your body--there are plenty of women who take 100mg or more per day without ever taking a break--and have been doing so for years without receptor site problems. Please check out Wray White's website for her product NatPro and how to manage your menopause and other hormone issues.

    BIG NEWSFLASH...Dr. John Lee's family (he passed suddenly in 2003) now makes their own progesterone cream...it's called ProgesterAll, and you can buy it at his family website, which can be found by Googling his name or the ProgesterAll name...don't know if I'm allowed to post it here, but here it is anyway:[...]

    I wish good fortune to all my beautiful Rosehip Sisters, and hope Dr. John Lee's book and its program helps you embrace Your Change with wisdom and light.

    POSTSCRIPTS: *If you have interest in Dr. Christiane Northrup, check out my review of the revised 2006 paperback edition of "The Wisdom of Menopause"...Northrup continues to urge women to eat soy products as a phytoestrogenic assist to their menopausal symptoms, but the phytic acid blocks magnesium and therefore creates a huge nutritional and endocrine depletion problems.

    **The Remifemin brand with black cohosh has been used in Europe and the States for over 50 years and it has clinical trials backing up its efficacy. It does NOT cause liver problems, contrary to recent concerns [refer to the Reuters Health article called "Study Finds No Evidence Black Cohosh Damages Liver" written by Amy Norton, and published on Fri Jan 28, 2011].

    Emerita Pro-Gest Natural Progesterone Cream, Paraben-Free, 4-Ounce TubeEmerita Phytoestrogen Body Cream with Black Cohosh, 2-Ounce TubeRemifemin Menopause Herbal Supplement, Estrogen Free, 120 TabletsEnzymatic Therapy Remifemin Good Night, 21 Tablets
    141 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
    I devoured the his book which was recommended by a male friend. What a treasure trove of info I could apply daily. I’ve recommended this many times already and it sits on my LR table for when I have a question. Highly recommended.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2023
    I love this book and it does contain very useful information about hormones. As many others have said, the main take away from Dr. Lee is that he promotes the use of natural progesterone, but I learned a lot more than how to use progesterone just skimming through it or looking specific things up. I would never read it cover to cover as it has entirely too much repetitive info. It would have been more helpful to me if the book weren't so wordy, and had more bullet pointed information or directions, or had an entire chapter on Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, etc. I may get his other book that is "Hormone Balance Made Simple". It might be an easier reference source for most people.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    It was very informative. I enjoyed reading it. It was full of very helpful information. Thank you for writing it.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Butterfly
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a woman, sooner or later you'll NEED this book
    Reviewed in Italy on October 10, 2021
    I bought the book together with the one about Pre-Menopause then for some reason I waited 1 year to read them... Big mistake, I wish I had read them immediately without wasting money and time with clueless gynecologists who (I realize now) don't have a clue of what is happening to you. Their approach was : go for the full on HRT with Estrogens (without checking your hormones before!) OR "Lady, this is life, Menopause is part of life, deal with it" (attach very condescending tone).

    One year of 20/30 hot flashes per day, awful mood, no sleep, feeling bloated and miserable, heart palpitations, feeling weak and going almost insane feeling that someone else was living in my body (or to live in the body of someone else!) I finally read the book. What truly helped me was not Natural Progesterone , but the awareness that with the right steps I could take my health in my own hands, since nobody was apparently able to help me. Which I did.
    First of all, I did a saliva test for the whole Estrogens panel and Progesterone (bought with a self kit here on Amazon). And thanks God that I did it because it turned out that I wasn't Estrogen dominant at all, quite the opposite. My Progesterone levels were through the roof, with Estrogens barely existent. No wonder I felt so bad. I was completely unbalanced.
    I studied all the natural alternatives to chemical Estrogens and landed on 2 Fito Estrogens that are literally saving my life (Ashwaganda and Dong Quai). This is working (FOR ME, not saying it's a a universal cure) INCREDIBLY well. NO hot flashes anymore. Much calmer, much more centered, less anxious. Most of all, I haven't given up to the idea that I can feel positive and strong even in this phase of my life, that I can still feel healthy, without intoxicating myself with chemicals in the meantime.

    Thank you so much Dr. John Lee for giving back to women dignity and their natural power. Forever grateful.
  • Lorena
    5.0 out of 5 stars Información esencial que toda mujer debe saber
    Reviewed in Spain on May 1, 2024
    Muy buen libro. Aún lo estoy leyendo pero las explicaciones son claras y me ha ayudado mucho a entender cosas que a veces cuando le cuentas a tu médico, las descarta como si fuera algo normal. Toda mujer debería leer este libro
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  • Teri Holtz
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lifesaver of a book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2015
    This book has significantly improved my life. I tried many different types of HRT that simply didn't work. I bled heavily and they made no difference to the mood swings, hot flushes, skeletal aches, anxiety etc. I used Black Cohosh, Red Clover etc, these made no difference. When I bought the John R Lee book a lightbulb went on. As an overweight menopausal lady - currently dieting and losing weight - 35lbs already, I was Estrogen dominant. Taking HRT just increased this hormone. Fat people produce too much Estrogen! You need Progesterone to appose estrogen. Dr Lee explains this very well. I started taking Agnus Castus tablets two weeks ago as they are a natural source of progesterone. What a revelation! It has turned my life around. I had chronic fatigue for a long time, held onto weight and had a very low mood. I have more energy, feel so much more positive and am losing we eight more easily. Doctors tend to prescribe anti depressants which may lift the mood but do not address the other symtoms of the menopause. Also, producing too much estrogen, unopposed is what causes all of the female cancers, so if you are menopausal and overweight you need natural progesterone to balance things out. My hot flushes are reducing in number and intensity too. Get this book if you truly want to sort yourself out and help to educate your doctor too.
  • Lilia M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars wie alle Bücher von Dr. John Lee - super
    Reviewed in Germany on March 3, 2018
    ich habe bereits mehrere Bücher des Autors gelesen und finde sie unersetzlich. man sollte sich wirklich rechtzeitig über das Thema Hormone informieren, da man schlimme gesundheitliche Probleme, sogar hormonbedingte Krebserkrankungen möglicherweise erspraren kann.
    Auch das Buch zum Thema Brustkrebs ist unersetzlich, sogar wenn man nicht betroffen ist. Gut informiert kann man sich optimal schützen.
  • Natural 4C
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must have material in your home collection.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2025
    The topics surrounding menopause are not spoken about openly. Most time you have to research to understand these changes in your body. This book as opened my knowledge surrounding menopause. It teaches you more about your body that no one ever tells you. The information you read surrounding estrogen, progesterone and more. How they works, what they can do if not understanding their purposes on how to balance, is amazing. You'll definitely learn how to communicate and asking your doctor valid questions that will benefit your health. Add this book to your collection. Your reading, learning and it feel fun and more interesting. The wisdom, knowledge and understanding You'll acquire will definitely worth it. The things you're taking in this stage if not done the right way will leads you into dark places no one should be. These awareness are important for your best health.

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