Books on PCOS....my opinions

vester · 10-25-2002, 05:44 PM

Well I've gotten three books on PCOS so far.

I think that PCOS: The Hidden Epidemic
by Samuel S. Thatcher M.D. Ph.D. is HORRIBLE. I think it totally doesnt go into enough about herbs. I also think that it basically discounts all herbs.

Additionally, it promotes the use of birth control pills for PCOS as we all pretty much know now, that just masks symptoms AND CAUSES INSULIN INTOLERANCE in us.

I didnt like this book at all. ok....next.....

Living with P.C.O.S.: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
by Angela Best-Boss, Evelina Weidman Sterling, Richard Legro MD (Editor)

Its ok. You know, we pretty much know everything already in this book by reading this forum. And thats the truth...

Ok, now I'm saving the best for last....
PCOS: A Woman's Guide to Dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
by Colette Harris, Adam Carey

I really really really liked this book. Out of all of them I liked this one the absolute best. I think it had realistic scenarios, etc.

Just my two cents.....I hear that the new PCOS Diet book is good but I havent read it yet.

Annette

stacyk · 11-13-2002, 07:13 AM

I am totally going to have to disagree with you.

Colette Harris' book is out of date the day it was published (the majority of references used in the book were over the five year marker), it is very basic & all the info in it could be gained for Soulcysters, I was visiting when it was publish & was really disappointed with it. I also feel she was trying to push her organic life style as a cure all.

I haven't got the angela best-boss one, so can't comment.

Samuel S. Thatcher's book is one of the best books written on the subject, a lot of his information is still relevent today. The pros & cons of all medications are listed, it hasn't got a great deal on herbs but medical books don't tend to. His referecences are all in date. It is a medical book and as such is not aimed at the lay person.

DoorInward · 11-13-2002, 10:51 AM

Thatcher's book doesn't go into detail about herbs because there is no consistency, purity or safety with commonly available herbal products. That is an area where one can damage one's health very easily.

There are no herbs that really mitigate issues with insulin resistance.
There are no herbs that help one deal effectively with skin tags, etc.
There are no herbs that will really help you to lose weight without working at it.
There are no herbs to make you conceive if you are not ovulating.
There are no herbs that will help you ovulate regularly.
At BEST, there are phytoestroges and progesterones which can help in a very superficial way (depending upon which version of the monster haunts you) if you don't mind spinning the roulette wheel.

So that Thatcher did not include herbal remedies in his book is not only reasonable but responsible. Aside from that, it is the only book out there about PCOS which is written for the layman without avoiding the physiological discussion & medical background information that we so badly need. IT doesn't insult the intelligence of the reader either.

~*Pam*~ · 11-16-2002, 09:05 AM

Thanks for posting your book reviews, vester! It's always great to read various reviews before buying!