Gynecologist's Second Opinion: The Questions and Answers You Need to Take Charge of Your Health

by Rachel L. Parker and William H. Parker

Book Overview

A sensitive, authoritative, and up-to-date guide to common gynecological problems and procedures answers questions about the diagnosis and treatment of fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, pelvic... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452276748
• ISBN13: 9780452276741
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

New Edition

The second edition of this book is now available with entirely updated information about fibroids, embolization, ovarian cysts, abnormal bleeding, new techniques for endometrial ablation, laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy and many other alternatives to hysterectomy. A new chapter about contraception and another about common bladder problems have been added to the updated information about other common problems such as abnormal pap smears, endometriosis and pelvic pain. When you order this book, be sure to ask for the new, SECOND edition. We think you will find it an invaluable resource.

A MUST READ Book

A week ago I had a hysterectomy, with removal of the ovaries and "plumbing" repairs, all related to pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. I had ordered this book months ago, in preparation for the planned surgery. So, now that I have planned for and actually had the surgery, I am in a position to give an opinion on this book. YOU MUST READ IT! It is full of all of the questions, and more, that you would want to ask, and it is written in a very understandable way. Now that I have actually experienced the surgery, I have gone back to read the sections specifically on surgery and my problems, and the book is right on target! Everything from the description of what it is like to go into the operating room, to anesthesia, nursing care, etc., is clearly and directly stated right here for you. The book has additional chapters on other topics which weren't relevant to my current medical situation, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I am holding on to this book for future use, as it is so comprehensive. I would unconditionally recommend it!

Very valuable. Good on alternatives to hysterectomy.

This book is an excellent resource on the alternatives available to women with various medical problems. It is very readable and informative. I was most interested in the chapter on fibroids. It contains a great deal of valuable information, but I hope that Dr. Parker will do a second edition to incorporate the latest information on new fibroid treatments such as uterine artery embolization and RU-486. As a patient who has been encouraged to consider hysterectomy (among other options) for an asymptomatic large fibroid by two well-respected gynecologists at a large teaching hospital, I was especially interested in his premise that hysterectomy should be a treatment of last resort.

Clearly-written, balanced, accurate and current information.

I was advised to have a hysterectomy and an oophorectomy even though I had no symptoms. I did a lot of research in medical and popular literature and found this book to be the best for the layperson. Regarding hysterectomies, the authors rationaly discuss the historical overuse and unnecessary reliance on the procedure without haranguing the reader or angrily attacking opposing views--a defect in a number of other books on the subject and which only serves to distract the reader from considering important facts. When necessary, the authors give their unequivocal medical opinion. When I sought a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic, the doctors there gave me the same advice I found in this book: don't have the surgery under my circumstances. I strongly recommend that any woman facing the same surgery decision I had to make to, as the book's subtitle says, take charge of your health, get a second opinion and read this book before you decide. The book also has a great deal of information about other women's health topics and it is now a permanent addition to my reference bookshelf.

Well-written, compassionate, easily understandable

While researching information on a personal health crisis I was facing, I happened to find Dr. William Parker's website, and ordered a copy of "A Gynecologist's Second Opinion". What a gift to the world of women's health! The book covers most reproductive health issues, such as fibroids, cysts, pap smears, cancer, surgical and non-surgical options. It is written in a question and answer format, so it was easy to find the information I needed. The information is clearly written and easy to understand, and contains numerous pen-and-ink drawings to further clarify the explanations. There is a sense of compassion toward woman's health that I hadn't found in many other books. I recommend this book to anyone who is confused about information they receive from their health care provider, to ob/gyns as a reference for their patients, and to any woman interested in her reproductive health.