The Endometriosis Sourcebook

The Endometriosis Sourcebook is "the definitive guide to current treatment options, the latest research, common myths about the disease, and coping strategies" compiled by the Endometriosis Association and its president, Mary Lou Ballweg. Ballweg lived with the disease for years, struggled through treatments and surgeries, was lucky enough to give birth to a "miracle baby," was bedridden for months at a time, and underwent a hysterectomy after all other treatment options were exhausted. She's therefore quite sympathetic toward fellow endo patients.

This all-inclusive book collects comparisons of different laser treatments; discusses the little-known connections between endo and autoimmune and thyroid problems, as well as diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome; covers new research directions; examines the effectiveness of Chinese medicine; shares letters from hundreds of women detailing their experiences; and much more. Perhaps most importantly, Ballweg strives to communicate how serious a disease endometriosis can be:

If there were millions of [men] out there, young men whose dreams were in danger of being destroyed by a disease, whose ability to function sexually was at risk, whose fertility was at risk, whose ability to build a satisfying work life and carry out normal activities of living was at risk, and who even would face the threat of castration, no one would dare say it was unimportant.

--Jhana Bach