Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods

As a certified FAM instructor, I was really excited to read this book. I regularly teach women who suffer from hormonal imbalance and the after-effects of hormonal contraception, so I was hoping this book would shed light on some of the things I see.While I loved this book, there are some things that are confusing in the FAM section. The author has graciously taken the time to answer my questions, and has clarified a few things:1. P. 35 Combination Condoms and Fertility Awareness MethodMy concern was that I know you do not need any contraceptive devices or behaviors during the defined infertile time with FAM- you just need to be willing to abstain during the fertile time. This section makes it sound like you do. (She actually intended that section for her teen patients due to higher risk of STDs. I won't even get into my issues with all of that.)2. P. 34 Caution...Dr. Briden has confirmed she now sees it as an error to advise women with irregular cycles not to use FAM. You CAN use FAM. I think one of the great gifts of this book is that she helps women get those cycles regular, thereby helping FAM be much easier to use.Beyond these things, I think it is confusing to mention ovulation predictor strips in the context of FAM because they predict ovulation way too late to be of use for a couple. Also, I think in books that try to describe FAM you end up with the unresolvable problem of either not giving enough information to truly understand the method, or giving enough that women think they can read a book and use it with the efficacy rates quoted. Find a class, have a guide, and follow up. It is not rocket science, but it is more complicated than just reading a book or downloading an app.Where the book shines....Dr. Briden has done a huge service to women in general and FAM instructors/users in particular by sharing her 20 years of experience healing women's cycle issues. Many years ago, I had to learn that while my doctor cared for me and was trying to alleviate my suffering, all she had was The Pill to help with an hormonal imbalance. I had to figure out myself how lacking she was in options and how hurtful the one she had was. There are SO many things that can be done other than overlaying a woman's hormonal imbalance with yet another (now chemical!) hormonal imbalance. Nothing is ever solved. Dr. Briden spells out how these things work and the damage done, as well as sharing ways to approach problems naturally.I read a lot and was impressed with the fact that she does not just jump to using bio-identical hormones. There is a place for that, but she works extensively through lifestyle, supplement (including some lesser-known herbs), and dietary strategies for problems that she has seen work herself. While we understand PCOS so much more than we did 20 years ago, she is still ahead of the times in her descriptions of proper diagnostic avenues and very basic supplements to get women on the right track.Thank you, Dr. Briden, for a wonderful book. I look forward to the updated edition, and hope to see a section on FAM that is honoring of the almost 50 years of research and structured rules it offers to achieve high rates of efficacy without contraception.

I was in search of a book that could help me deal with my hormones naturally, and this was EXACTLY what i got and needed all of my life. lolI suffered acne as a teen during that time of the month, and, of course, my doctors, friends, relatives and anyone else who could possibly give me any advice suggested I start birth control. It sounded like the perfect plan: my skin would clear up and, more likely than not, I won't get pregnant. Oh, and my boobs might actually grow! Then come to find out 4 1/2 years later (which was in the last three months) the cons actually weigh out the positives; if you can even consider these things positives anyway. Since deciding to go off the pill, I have been breaking out way worse than I ever have, my mood swings have been a mess, and my menstrual cramps have been extremely painful like i have never experienced before- all of which led me in search for a way to deal with my hormones, which i knew was screwed up after taking birth control. Oh and did I mention my hair began thinning and falling out !??! I found this book and it really is a manual and guide that can be used to manage and understand your hormones on a whole other level. She is clear, precise, and I love that she also incorporates elements that vegetarians or vegans can relate to as she explains why you may be experiencing particular things and how you can fix them. I ordered it no more than a week ago and i finished the entire book. I skimmed through some parts that did not pertain to me (for example, hysterectomies) and analyzed and revisited a lot of the concepts she discussed. I would recommend any female to buy this book, not only to read, but to have as a guide. I am sure there are things that i will need to use the book for later in the future. I will try to give an update in a few months on how her recommendations might improve my life.

Update: It has been one year this month since I got off of the pill, and after following the advice of this book and other resources, I have gotten my period now for two months in a row! When I tried to get off of the pill ten years ago, at this same stage (one year after stopping the pill), I had painful cystic acne on my chin, and no periods. I am now getting my periods (in my mid-thirties) and have had no cystic acne at all. I am so grateful for this book for giving me the courage to try again. I also relied heavily on The Holy Kale blog and Fiona McCulloch's book, 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS. Don't give up!I bought this book specifically for its coverage of pill-induced PCOS---heads up that there is MUCH more covered in this book, but this is the focus of my review. When I was diagnosed with PCOS after four years on the pill (with normal periods pre-pill) due to lack of periods, high testosterone levels, and a positive ultrasound test, I was convinced that it had to do with the pill. However, I was told by well-meaning doctors to go back on the pill to manage the PCOS symptoms, which I have been taking for the last ten years. This book specifically addresses getting off of the pill with pill-induced PCOS---I have been searching for this information for ten years. With this in hand, I believe I will now be able to work with an herbalist to finally be rid of the pill once and for all, as it has wreaked havoc on my body in multiple ways (including but not limited to the PCOS). I am grateful to Dr. Briden for her pioneering work on pill-induced PCOS---I was hoping someone would discover and tackle this issue in my lifetime. I am hopeful that there will be additional research and literature on this issue in the future. I don't normally write product reviews, but this book is a game changer and a starting point for those with pill-induced PCOS to heal themselves, for which I am grateful.

A very well written clear book. I'm following the advice for a longstanding problem and am not sure if its working yet (two months of taking the supplements and making life style changes). Lara writes expertly on a subject my doctors seem to know nothing about! so reading this book has felt like shining a light on something which felt frustratingly mysterious. I've really suffered with my cycle and now have an idea about what might have caused it and how I can amend it.

How I wish I'd had this book 20 years ago, before believing the only answer to painful periods was 'the pill'! I now understand my body, my natural cycle, and have successfully navigated the post-pill transition. It's wonderful to be back in sync with my body. A little knowledge goes a very long way.

Wish I'd read this book in my teens! Informative, easy to understand, easy to read and relate to. I've recommended it to all my girl friends!

This is literally the best book I've ever read - it's taught me so much. Highly recommend this.

This book is very helpful to guide everywoman throughout their individual journey towards period health via integrative methods. I have researched other books and publications and this is the most comprehensive one with clear direct instructions. Thank you the the author for sharing her knowledge!!