Beating Endo: A Patient’s Treatment Plan for Endometriosis

by Iris Kerin Orbuch, Amy Stein

This empowering book provides the prescription by which women afflicted with endometriosis can reclaim their lives. Written by a surgeon and physical therapist who have treated women of all ages and helped them reclaim their lives.Endometriosisis an inflammatory response that results when tissue is found outside the uterus, thereby initiating a disease process and an array of maladies accrue. Dr Iris Orbuch. is a surgeon and Amy Stein,a physical therapist, have seen endos harm and agony up close and personal and they have created this self-care guide for women about how to deal with their endometriosis in order Avoid surgery (if at all possible),2) What to do before surgery (should they absolutely need it); and how3) To live and what to do post-surgery so that the women afflicted by this disease, can reclaim their lives.Dr. Orbuch and Amy Stein have called upon those they call the endometriosis warriors specialists in a range of practices with whom they routinely share knowledge and insights into what works for the women they care for. This is a multi-disciplinary holistic plan full of practices women can use to repair their bodies and lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2019

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has good intentions. No doubt the authors are highly qualified.

Unfortunately they seem to live in a world where everyone has endless resources to spend on healthcare, time to do things like cook every meal from scratch using locally grown organic ingredients, and energy to follow their exercise suggestions.

Also I am so sick of people in 2019!! using such cis normative language. Non binary and gender diverse people get endo. So do trans men. We need to find a way to include them in the dialogue and community.

Overall I did learn some interesting science about endometriosis, but I would love to read a book written from a more intersectional perspective. The issue with creating such a high standard for how endo should be addressed- and placing the burden on patients to make endless lifestyle changes from diet to household cleaners to make up to mindfulness - creates a narrative that makes it easy to victim blame endo sufferers for making their illness worse.

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of useful and applicable advice and recommendations on how to live with endometriosis, particularly around pelvic floor physiotherapy and nutrition.

I felt it let itself down for me with its tone and advice in some parts, implying "sacrifices" must be made, while they certainly should be to prioritise your health, these "sacrifices" often came from a privileged perspective, and would probably be "sacrifices" people are already making to get by. Not everyone has the option to avoid a holiday to pay for healthcare... Many people are not going on holiday and are still struggling to pay for healthcare.

[Jess Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the information and advice in this book is available online for free - whether it’s on websites like EndoNews or in huge facebook support groups like Nancy’s Nook. My biggest gripe with this book is that it’s not at all written in a way that’s accessible for all kinds of people eg of different gender identities or socio-economic backgrounds. On this latter point, there are multiple throwaway remarks suggesting that doing things like eating organic food or avoiding chemicals in your life are just simply a case of prioritising these things in the interests of your health - and that you just have have chose to do these things. Clearly that’s not the case. Making these decisions can be shaped by real and meaningful barriers like time, cost, availability/access. There’s no attempt in the book to acknowledge this and in fact most of the case studies seem to be about highly privileged women who can access every form of medical and supplementary treatment, apply every dietary and lifestyle recommendation and even do things like take months to years off work at a time. So unrealistic for many.

[Emily Brownsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was initially very informative. However, as it moved on to the practical aspects of helping a woman manage her endometriosis symptoms it’s obvious you must be rich in order to succeed at their plan? Every single piece of advice was costly and time consuming. Whether it be nutrition, surgery, therapy, these “mental health retreats”, supplements, etc etc. I can imagine a woman reading this book with endometriosis perhaps feeling quite deflated afterwards.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so perfect! Written by an OBGYN and pelvic PT- this book embodies exactly how I’ve been treating patients with endometriosis throughout my career particularly the last 3 years as I’ve dove more into holistic health. I’m also 99% sure I have/had mild to moderate endometriosis myself and it’s very helpful to see that the last 4-5 year journey I’ve been on has been on the right track! Now, the negative reviews of this book discuss that all these things are not realistic and come from a place of privilege. I’m absolutely acknowledging this. I work in one of these recommended cash based 1:1 pelvic PT clinics. None of the “good” Endo care and excision places are covered by insurance. I have spent thousands on acupuncture, chiropractic, functional dietetics and nutritionists and meal plans, pelvic PT for myself (before I got it for free from my job), complete overhaul of my lifestyle with no endocrine disrupters and all non toxic everything, all organic foods 85% of the time, gluten free, etc as all written and recommended in this book. So yes…. Do I have nearly completely full symptom resolution ? Yes. But it’s not to say it’s easy and for everyone to be able to do all of this. It also takes years! But I loved that this book validated my journey and also gave a name to what I’ve always wondered was my root cause of all this inflammation. I’m very thankful I have been privileged to access all of these treatments, and at least can continue to recommend these aspects of the journey to my patients! Also loved that Amy is certified by the Barral Institute in visceral work like I am- patients with Endo are my favorite to treat and this is so helpful for them.

[Ally Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy I read this and find reading books about endo comforting in general, I did find some chapters to be a little patient-blamey... If you take that with a pinch of salt though you can gain valuable insights from the accounts from other patients

[Amalie Vikse · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should be called “beating endo - a book for the rich by the ignorant”

Because I am desperate and in pain (as you are with endo) I read most of this book. It made me feel like shit. At one point the author acknowledge that her tools are expensive, but brushes this away with a side note of “do you really need that new sofa”. As if most of us spends the same amount on a new sofa as we do on healthcare.

Do not read this book unless you have a lot of money - it will make you feel even more guilty and stressed about your situation than you already are.

[Helen Dearns · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you take this book literally in terms of changing pretty much everything about your lifestyle in order to beat this disease then you’d be facing an impossible challenge. But the authors recognise this and urge that it’s advice and it can be done at your own pace. I found it overwhelming at times but also comforting as I’ve done quite a few their suggestions already - changes physical activity, diet, quitting my job for a less stressful one, therapy, mindfulness, cutting down on alcohol.... etc. Some of the science seemed a tad questionable but that may just be because I don’t know enough about dioxins and parabens etc and heir affect on or health so it’s highlighted some further reading for me. It’s good to have such a comprehensive book from experts who’ve helped so many with endo. I’ve read some cynical reviews but in my opinion this book definitely has its place for anyone wanting to understand endometriosis and how to get some semblance of a life back when you’ve gone so long not even knowing what’s wrong. It is a shame that the language is very cis orientated - some recognition of intersectionality wouldn’t have gone a miss but maybe that’s because their experience is limited? Who knows. It’s a worthwhile book nevertheless, with an holistic patient centred approach to beating this **** of a disease! Oh, and, as it’s written to endo patients predominantly in the US, it also made me very VERY grateful for the NHS!

[Lemonade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, but wasn't as helpful as I had hoped. It didn't tell me anything that I did not already know, or couldn't find on google. I would have liked more specific information about treating hormones that cause the problems, hormone testing, progesterone doses etc. It was a bit too general and superficial for my liking.
I feel it was targeted and written for younger women as it talks a lot about fertility, so would recommend this book for women under 35.

[Sam With Veggies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I see a lot of the reviews feeling let down by the privileges mentioned in this book such as opting for organic etc. I can understand that and I feel there are ways around it. It’s a complex disease that needs a big journey and lots of attention and I like how this book didn’t hide that fact. As a health prac, there was lots of information in here I didn’t already know. I especially enjoyed the PT components.

[Amy :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really valuable and insightful information around diagnostics of Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and treatment / preventive measures for patients.

However, accessing these avenues of treatment requires suitable healthcare plans and funds.

I learn a lot from the cross disciplinary fields these women work in. A lot of this text is informative, professional and useful.

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it insightful and definitely took some information away from this book. There’s not a lot of information out there for women with endometriosis so I found this helpful for some suggestions.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone with endo thinks they may have endo or knows some one who has endo should read this

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very helpful. Didn’t finish

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful info but the tone is a privileged

[Alexandra Terzis · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly reccomend if you are stuffing with endo

[Kim Olsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good overview of the condition with case studies and practical recommendations on steps to help ease symptoms. I found it interesting and useful and will be trying to implement some of the recommended changes.

[Sarah White · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you suffer pelvic pain, bladder problems or digestive issues and you're a woman, check this book out. If you think you might have endo and doctors wont take you serious, read this book! So amazing.