I was recently diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 29 and after reading this book, realize that I have probably have had this since I started puberty! I was diagnosed two months before this book came out and finally received my copy the other day...I never anticipated a book so much. Finally, I have a guide book for this syndrome! Dr. Futterweit is one of the nation's foremost authorities on this condition and has spent his life researching and treating this condition. This book is the ultimate guide to understanding PCOS, getting a correct diagnosis (as symptoms are variable among all women and are sometimes diagnosed incorrectly), eating and exercise habits to help reverse the condition, as well as strategies for alleviating many other horrible symptoms like excess facial hair, acne, thinning scalp hair, etc. As I devoured this book I found myself saying over and over, "wow, this is my life". The book is written in such a great tone. While some of the 'understanding PCOS' parts are very medical, it's not so filled with medical jargon that you won't understand it. It is evident that Dr. Futterweit truly cares about women with this condition and wants to educate us and give us hope! If you are like me, I am only discovering the full fledged condition as a result of going off the pill in hopes of getting pregnant. There are parts of this book dedicated to Getting Pregnant, Staying Pregnant (PCOS sufferers have increased chances of miscarriage), gestational diabetes, etc.
I feel this book has given me a wealth of information, some of which I intend to share with my primary care physician and ob gyn. I also found that a great compliment to this book in terms of dietary guidelines is Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller's The New Glucose Revolution Guide to Living Well with PCOS. I had no idea that due to this condition I have a form of insulin resistance and I've battled weight all my life. It turns out the usual low fat diets that tend to be higher carbohydrate are one of the worst ways that PCOS sufferers can handle their diet. I've already found much success with a low glycemic index diet in just 6 weeks and am startled at how much my overall quality of life has improved with Dr. Futterweit's strategies which are well defined in this book. If you are recently diagnosed or have had this condition for years without much success at battling the symptoms, this book is for you. I can confidently say that I'm on the road to battling this syndrome with education and a newfound lifestyle.