Nisha Jackson: Well what can I say...I am a "perimenopausal woman" and a gynecology specialist, so needless to say I have not only have an interest in the field but have personally struggled with many of the issues that are addressed in the book i.e. stress management, thyroid deficiency, weight issues and hormone imbalances in the past.  I became interested in this specialty area many years ago when I was struggling with my own hormone imbalances and knew if a specialist could and would test me, in order to identify the problem instead of treating the symptoms and masking the underlying condition, that I would get relief of those nagging symptoms.  Unfortunately, I could not find a specialist locally (although I knew they existed in other areas) to do in-depth testing and intervention. I then began reading and attending numerous workshops, symposiums, and trainings with experts from around the world in the area of hormone health.  I had such a personal interest in this area, that I began testing, treating and following many of my own private-practice gynecology patients for their hormonal imbalances.  My private practice has grown in less than 8 years, to 6 medical providers who also have been trained to consult, test and treat a multitude of hormonal imbalances. We are able to treat in our own geographical area, but have many patients that travel hundreds of miles to have treatment. We also offer medical/hormonal consulting to women and men outside our area.  The majority of my time is now spent seeing patients, growing a practice that is in demand and lecturing to pharmacists, medical professionals, and the public, on how to keep your self in-balance and how to enter the menopausal years feeling well.
 

Lynda:  How have your professional experiences led to "The Hormone Survival Guide for Perimenopause:  Balance Your Hormones Naturally"?

Nisha Jackson: I see many patients in my practice that are between the ages of 35-65. I have a growing practice of young women that are between the ages of 15 and 25 that are suffering from acne, stress, skin disorders, fatigue, depression, and menstrual irregularities.  These women/girls often show several hormone imbalances that are easily treated with the right comprehensive plan. This incorporates diet, stress management, exercise, supplements and typically not such things as birth control pills and antidepressants.  This is an exciting age for me to treat, because I wish that I would have had the knowledge when I was 22 to help with changes that were starting to occur with my hormones. It is also a wonderful age for teaching and guiding to become healthy, and to take care of their body for the long haul.

 
Lynda:  There are many books about hormones and menopause available.  How is yours different?

Nisha Jackson:  This is the first book in the field of hormone balance that addresses the whole female.  It is also the first book to hit the market that specifically addresses testing, interpretation of the tests, how to get your medical provider to work with you, and how to help yourself in less than 200 pages. The goal of this book was to provide women in "crisis" to have a tool by which they could literally pick up, turn to the chapter that they are having the most problem with and immediately find answers and suggestions.  What I did not want to do was, to have a book that required the reader to sift through 350-600 pages of medical jargon that would only frustrate and confuse them.  It has turned out that nearly all of the reviewers and patients that have read the book thus far, (approximately 500) have commented that the book is not only helpful, but also clear, easy to understand, and "to the point". I am pleased to have a book that I can use at lectures, that gives the woman a road map to help in all aspects of her health, and additionally allows her to actively participate in her own hormone plan.
 

Lynda:  What's the best advice you can give women?

Nisha Jackson:  The best advice I can give women is to slow down, and keep the basic "four essentials" going:  

1. Eat a good "colorful diet" every day avoiding the foods your body doesn't know what to do with.  
2.  Exercise daily to give yourself an emotional and physical outlet. 
3. Sleep at least 7.5 to 8 hours every night for all of the repair work to take place and 
4. Take time for "you" every day to relax for 10 min. alone in order to meditate on the things that are wonderful in your life. 
These four "essentials" will help women avoid 75% of the hormonal imbalances that occur as they age if they are done regularly. 
 

Lynda:  Do you have any plans to write another guidebook?

Nisha Jackson:  I am nearly finished with my second book, titled "The Hormonal Survival Guide for Teenage Girls".
 

Lynda:  Thank you for your time, Dr. Jackson.  Readers, consider purchasing a bouquet of flowers and The Hormone Survival Guide for Perimenopause:  Balance Your Hormones Naturally for the special women in your life.  This book might not only serve as a guide to better health, but also provide peace of mind for yourself, your mother, your sister and your spouse/partner.

For further information, readers can check out www.hormonesurvival.com and www.nishajackson.com