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The Hormone Balance Bible: A Holistic Plan to Create Lifelong Health

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Foreword by Izabella Wentz,   New York Times   bestselling author of   Hashimoto’s Protocol   A revolutionary, wellness-centered functional approach to managing hormonal imbalance by the first physician in the United States to be certified by both the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

Every woman deserves to feel her best.   Do you suffer from headaches, irregular periods, or fatigue? You’re not alone. Four out of five women will face life-altering hormonal imbalances, debilitating conditions that wreak havoc on their physical and mental health—yet most of these issues go unacknowledged, undiagnosed, and untreated.  Called “America’s Holistic Gynecologist,” Dr. Shawn Tassone has devoted his career to helping women achieve hormonal balance and live healthier, happier lives.  The Hormone Balance Bible  is the culmination of Dr. Tassone’s decades of research and clinical work with tens of thousands of patients. Here, Dr. Tassone guides women to understanding their hormonal profile and gives them the tools to feel better in as little as one week.   After taking Dr. Tassone’s Integrative Hormone Mapping Quiz—an easy-to-understand diagnostic tool with an astonishing level of accuracy—readers will identify their Hormone Archetype (Nun, Wisewoman, Queen, etc.) and benefit from his six-step SHINES Spiritual Practice, Hormones, Infoceuticals, Nutrition, Exercise, and Supplements, the world’s first fully integrative, truly holistic treatment plan for hormonal imbalance.   A proven roadmap to wellness,  The Hormone Balance Bible  provides readers with sustainable practices that can easily be incorporated into daily life. 

512 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2021

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961 people want to read

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Marita.
93 reviews14 followers
January 16, 2022
So, I’ve read a *lot* of hormone related books. I started having issues almost immediately after my tubal ligation at age 34 with the birth of my fourth child. The descent into menopause has been one of the hardest challenges of my life. That sounds dramatic, but some of you know exactly what I’m talking about and some of you will unfortunately find out in the not so very distant future. Cue the song by Miley Cyrus - “it came in like a wrecking ball…” So naturally I’ve been chasing that elusive thing called “hormone balance” ever since. This book is probably my favorite out of the many.

First of all, I love the layout of this book. It is aesthetically appealing. The type of paper is different, each cover page of each archetype has an illustration depicting that type. It just has a different feel, and it was enough that I really noticed as I read the book.

Dr. Tassone has organized different hormonal types, which he refers to as ‘archetypes.’ Probably because I love typing systems, such as the Enneagram and other typing models, I found being able to put a specific name to my type to be very helpful. He gives them all interesting names, and, like personality profiling, he lists famous examples of that type at the end of that type’s section.

He also includes healing strategies that are considered out-of-the-box and not generally mentioned in other books, such as essential oils, acupuncture, etc. He takes what is helpful from alternative medicine and uses it in conjunction with more mainstream strategies that are more familiar.

My biggest frustration is that the information is helpful and interesting, but Dr. Tassone is in TX and I am not. Finding these kinds of doctors where I live is very difficult. I wish he had included some kind of directory or network of practitioners who take his approach. I feel like I’ve got the right information at my fingertips with no way to act on it,
Profile Image for Mardi.
206 reviews
May 6, 2021
[Reviewing uncorrected page proofs] This is a well-organized, well-researched mind/body approach to women's health. This book came along at the perfect time for me as I am just coming out of a long haul with COVID and am suffering from extreme fatigue. I took the quiz linked in the book and followed my results through the SHINES Protocol and it fit perfectly with my recent lab work and diagnosis. It helped me formulate questions to ask when I have my next doctor's appointment and supported much of her recent findings. As with any health & wellness title, I'm sure others will have a different experience. This title combines traditional medical treatment with herbal supplements, nutrition, exercise, aromatherapy recommendations, and more--each customized to fit the hormonal needs of the individual. I loved the layout of the book and appreciated the thorough bibliography and recommended readings as well as the index.
Profile Image for Jessica Knutson.
Author 2 books17 followers
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February 12, 2022
I perused this book this morning, not committed to reading it but interested to see what it had to offer.

The first issue I ran into is that the hormone quiz the author wants you to take is a web link. When you go to the link and take the quiz, you have to give your email address to receive the results. This is all sorts of shady - but it doesn’t even work anyway. I have run into this problem with a few books where, once you put your email into the author’s system, you never hear from them even once - broken system?

Anyway, the second issue I ran into was the author’s discussion of phytoestrogens (at 15% in the book). He deems them harmful as adding estrogen to the body, when, in fact, phytoestrogens protect the body from other sources of estrogen. He DOES talk about how helpful fiber is, but if so many sources of fiber have phytoestrogens??? I will not keep reading to see how he suggests we solve this “problem,” since phytoestrogens are a huge part of the SOLUTION, and his differing stance on this has lost my trust in his advice.
Profile Image for Maddie McCartney.
169 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2025
Extremely detailed and requires you to know your archetype, but soooooo helpful and informative. I appreciated the extreme amount of details.
Profile Image for Healthypedia.
218 reviews10 followers
October 25, 2023
The Hormone Balance Bible empowers women to understand, address, and achieve hormonal balance for improved health and quality of life.

Hormonal balance is a fundamental cornerstone of women’s health, playing a pivotal role in their physical and emotional well-being. The intricate dance of hormones within a woman’s body orchestrates everything from menstruation to mood, impacting various aspects of her life. It is a delicate equilibrium that, when disrupted, can lead to a cascade of health issues.

In this context, Shawn Tassone presents a compelling guide that delves into the profound significance of hormonal balance. His book, The Hormone Balance Bible, offers an illuminating exploration of the often undiagnosed and untreated hormonal imbalances that afflict countless women, setting the stage for a transformative journey towards vitality and empowerment.


Author’s background

Shawn A. Tassone, M.D., PhD, is a renowned expert in integrative women’s health and holds the distinction of being the first physician in the United States to be dual-certified by both the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

He has gained recognition in a variety of prominent publications and media outlets, such as the New York Times, NBCNews Online, and Stanford MedX. Dr. Tassone is also the author of several books, including Contraception Deception (co-authored with Dr. Natalie Kringoudis) and Hands Off My Belly!: The Pregnant Woman’s Survival Guide to Myths, Mothers, and Moods.


What is the book about?

The Hormone Balance Bible by Shawn Tassone offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing hormonal imbalances in women. The book highlights the prevalence of hormonal issues that often go undiagnosed and untreated, affecting women’s physical and mental well-being. Dr. Tassone bridges the gap between conventional and alternative medicine, providing readers with a unique hormonal mapping system. Through this system, readers can identify their specific hormonal composition and gain insights into how hormones impact their emotions, body, and behaviour.

Key features of the book include:

1. Tailored healing strategies: Dr. Tassone presents accessible strategies for healing that are customised to each reader’s unique hormonal profile.

2. Hormonal archetypes: The book explores 12 different hormonal imbalance profiles, making it easy for readers to relate to their specific archetype.

3. Integrative hormone mapping quiz: Dr. Tassone introduces the Integrative Hormone Mapping Quiz, an accurate diagnostic tool to help readers identify their dominant Hormonal Archetype.

4. SHINES protocol: The book introduces the groundbreaking six-step SHINES protocol, the world’s first fully integrative, holistic treatment plan for hormonal imbalance. It provides guidance tailored to each archetype.

Readers can expect to find a proven roadmap to wellness within The Hormone Balance Bible. The book offers sustainable practices that can be seamlessly incorporated into daily life, helping women regain vitality, health, and empowerment.


Six key takeaways from The Hormone Balance Bible

In this part of the review, we would like to briefly introduce the SHINE protocol. This holistic approach encourages women to achieve hormonal balance by engaging in spiritual rituals, embracing healthy nutrition habits, engaging in physical activity, and considering medication when necessary.

1. Spiritual practices bring peace and ease stress – one of the culprits of hormonal imbalances

A spiritual practice, whether religious or not, is a means to encourage introspection, stillness, and inner peace. It can include contemplative prayer, meditation (guided or unguided), and acupuncture. For instance, yoga has the potential to have a profound impact on hormone equilibrium. The primary culprits behind hormonal imbalances often revolve around stress. By promoting relaxation and mitigating stress, yoga allows your nervous system to recuperate from the ongoing physical and mental struggles it faces.

2. Hormone modulation helps alter hormone levels with prescription medications

Hormone modulation, also known as ‘biohacking,’ involves adjusting hormone levels through prescription medications, such as oral, transdermal, or suppository treatments. Whether hormonal modulation is suitable for your archetype depends on the severity of the underlying hormonal imbalance and potential side effects. It is essential to have ongoing monitoring by a physician to determine the correct dosage and treatment duration. While some nonprescription hormonal supplements are available over the counter, it is advisable to have physician supervision for any biohacking endeavours.

3. Infoceuticals such as essential oils and acupuncture are believed to be beneficial for hormonal balance

In the protocols, infoceuticals play a crucial role in healing, encompassing methods like essential oils, acupuncture, and Reiki. Essential oils, for instance, contain plant-based compounds like phytoestrogens that could potentially aid in hormonal equilibrium and alleviate menopausal symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes. On the other hand, Reiki, an energy healing technique, may be beneficial for addressing PMS by promoting hormonal balance, as it aligns with the belief that each of the seven Chakras corresponds to an endocrine gland, and these Chakras play a role in regulating hormone secretion.

4. Maintaining hormonal balance relies heavily on a well-rounded and balanced diet

Nutrition also plays a crucial role in hormonal balance. Each of the twelve archetypes in the book has specific dietary recommendations, including foods to include and avoid, as well as preferred preparation methods. For example, sulfur-rich foods such as onions, garlic, egg yolks, and citrus fruits can help detoxify the liver, enhancing its capacity to eliminate toxins from external sources and supporting estrogen breakdown. On the contrary, alcohol disrupts the liver’s function, impeding its ability to metabolise estrogen effectively, leading to elevated estrogen levels in both women and men.

5. Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining hormonal equilibrium

Exercise plays a significant role in the SHINES protocol. The author cites a study that revealed that women who participated in three hours of moderate exercise every week had notably lower levels of circulating estrogens compared to those who only engaged in stretching exercises. Specifically, women who averaged 171 minutes of moderate exercise over five weekly sessions observed a decrease in their estrogen levels within five months. The study also found that these women experienced elevated levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a blood protein that binds to circulating estrogen, rendering it inactive.

6. Taking supplements can also contribute to the process of recovery

Supplements play a vital role in the SHINES approach and overall hormonal balance strategies. The author advises individuals to include supplements as part of their holistic hormonal balance plan, with a focus on carefully chosen supplements to ensure safety and effectiveness. It is recommended to review the SHINES protocol for each archetype to appreciate how supplements can positively impact one’s health journey. These protocols not only address immediate issues but also serve as starting points for individuals to embark on their unique paths to better health.


Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths:
• Ideal for beginners in understanding hormone imbalances, offering comprehensive coverage of various types of imbalances.
• The inclusion of a quiz on the author’s website adds an interactive element to the book, enhancing the learning experience.
• The differentiation between hormone archetypes helps readers identify their own type and choose a more personalised healing approach.
• Provides valuable information for individuals seeking to initiate informed conversations with their healthcare providers and take an active role in managing their health.


Weaknesses:
• While the sections on hormone modulation, exercise, and supplements are strong, the nutrition sections are cursory and occasionally contradictory, leaving readers unsure about dietary choices.


Best quotes from The Hormone Balance Bible

“The important question is this: What is normal for you right now? Understanding that your body is in a constant state of change can help you realize that your hormonal state is always fluctuating. You are not living with the exact same body you had when you were twenty. Your body changes as you age, and your hormones need to function differently within your body as these changes occur.”

“Taking a holistic approach to hormone health is a process. It requires dedicated work on multiple fronts – physiological, psychological, and spiritual. It isn’t just about changing your hormones; it’s about changing your life. You have to be willing not only to look at what’s imbalanced in your body and your life more generally, but also to do something about it. And then keep doing it.”

“An herb grown in Peru, maca has long been used to promote hormone balance (in men and women) as well as reproductive and menstrual health. Each of the thirteen differently colored varieties of maca exerts distinct effects, and many maca-based supplements combine different varieties of the herb. Some of these can raise estrogen levels, which is why it’s critical to use a supplement that contains the right types of maca in the right ratios to address your estrogen dominance.”



Final takeaway

The Hormone Balance Bible by Shawn Tassone is an invaluable resource that enables readers to gain a deeper understanding of hormonal imbalance and its impact on health. Dr. Tassone’s extensive expertise and pioneering approach to integrative medicine shine through in this comprehensive guide. The book offers a holistic approach that empowers readers to take control of their hormonal health through tailored healing strategies, hormone archetypes, and the innovative SHINES protocol.

This is a must-read for women of all ages who struggle with hormonal imbalance or just want to understand their bodies better and embark on a transformative journey towards vitality, health, and empowerment in their lives.
3 reviews
September 19, 2021
A large amount of claims and “factual” statements with limited citations supporting the claims and statements. Big push in the book to visit his website and take his hormone quiz (which you need to enter your email to receive results). Be warned: the hormone quiz is based on his clinical antidotal evidence and is not a validated survey. The author’s ego is a notable undertone throughout the book—not a good luck for anyone.

I also found a few typos in the book as well. My disappointment in this book is an understatement.
Profile Image for Kim.
123 reviews
July 20, 2021
This book is a great resource for those diving into the knowledge of hormones and how they effect our bodies and lives. I highly suggest you pick this one up. Gives easy to understand explanations of hormones and the role they play in our bodies!
This will be a reference tool that I look back on as I continue my adult journey in health.
Profile Image for Tiana Dyson.
188 reviews3 followers
August 8, 2024
This has so much information, and I'm sure some of it is valuable, but this mostly felt like a man trying to explain how it feels to be a woman + put women in different categories. If you want a better book with more helpful information, I'd read In the Flo!
Profile Image for Jessica Redmond.
105 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2023
Pros of the book:
Great if you’re new to trying to understand and read about hormone imbalances. This book is comprehensive in covering many types of hormone imbalances and the author has a quiz on the website for you to take as well. You can tell the author is passionate about helping women understand their hormones and they really reflects in the “archetypes” section (the archetypes are how the author categories different types of hormone imbalances). I think this book would provide some great info for someone looking to come to their own doctor with some specific conversation starters and questions and to help take control of your own health.

Cons of the book:
I found the solutions sections, called the SHINES protocol, to be a bit lacking. Each of the archetypes has a SHINES protocol that includes the same subsections for the acronym. Some of the subsections were helpful but some had barely any info at all and were not well explained to know what to do with that. For example, every protocol includes a section on “infoceuticals” and the author tells you the Energetic Integrators (EI) are supposed to help that archetype but the only other thing I could find in the book about what they are was 1 sentence saying they’re some type of remedy. I just wish the author had explained more. The hormone modulation, exercise, and supplements sections were great but I found the nutrition sections a bit cursory and sometimes had contradicting info (for example, one paragraph cautions against eating cruciferous vegetables because they have phytoestrogens and the next paragraph touts the benefits of eating them because they have DIM which can break down estrogen).

Overall I think this book is good if you’re new to reading about hormone imbalances and are not sure if the symptoms you’re experiencing are related to a hormone balance or which one. However, if you have done more reading about hormones previously and/or have a more complex disease/diagnosis related to hormones, this might not be the book for you.
1 review
February 20, 2025
I can't recommend this book because of how this man treated me in my actual waking life. He made an instagram, about malpractice about an egg topic pregnancy and how she should hire him for courts in a malpractice suit without realizing that they are in Texas and abortion is illegal so it is therefore not malpractice. He's a board-certified doctor in texas, it's literally his responsibility to know the law and he does not. I pointed it out to him and he attacked me. He went to my profile and stalked me and then turned around and used it against me in a public comment section where he called me a wannabe and a failure, he said I was fragile and sexist and egotistical. Meanwhile, most of his reviews say his bedside manner is terrible and that he doesn't listen to his patience. Why would you trust him as an author of a book when he has more than a dozen negative Yelp reviews where he literally attacks the reviewer for leaving a one-star review? He attacked me online and if this is how he treats women when he thinks nobody's looking, how great can he be at his job where he supposed to be protecting women? I cannot recommend a book written by a man about female house when he stalks and belittles and tries to humiliate women online. He does not care for women. He just cares about money. His wife also has similar negative reviews so I wouldn't trust either of them. Anybody can write a book. But it takes a good doctor to treat every person with dignity. This man is not it.
163 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2021
I am not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I liked it, don't get me wrong, I just felt like it didn't help me personally a lot. The information was well presented in the book, and I also appreciate that the author is showing us a way to help our hormones without taking drugs. I also liked how he broke down the different types of hormone disfunctions and how each one could be helped. It was a lot of good information, and he used good stories to show us how each one looks in real life. However, I didn't feel like I really fit in to any one of them. So while the book was good and informative, I don't feel like it really helped me along at all.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
3 reviews
November 18, 2023
I loved this book. I am a big fan of wellness and understanding wellness means more than just exercise and diet. Taking that concept and applying it to hormone balance was so encouraging for me. Understanding that our bodies are systems and so many factors can make us balanced or off balanced really helped me not feel hopeless and that the only way out is HRT (although a very positive tool to help) I think the Dr/Author did an amazing job of taking complicated information and making it actionable. I will keep it close to the bedside as my archetypes change as i continue down the road of peri and post menopause
Profile Image for Bella Auchenbach.
10 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2025
This book is great for if you are looking for tactics to help support your hormones and stay generally healthy. The only thing is that I feel it is catered more towards the older population. In the hormone archetype quiz, it mainly asks questions about menopause, hot flashes, infertility, etc. but not really things like acne, hair and nail growth, and other signs of hormonal distress that younger women may experience. Overall it’s great as a general guide though, especially those who want to follow a functional/holistic approach to health.
Profile Image for Lolita.
66 reviews5 followers
October 20, 2021
It's stated that 4 out of 5 women will experience hormonal imbalances that can affect physical and mental health.This book was very informative and helpful. The Hormone Mappng Quiz will give you an insight on where your hormone levels are and if there's a deficiency, how to resolve it.
Diva Review - Lolita
9 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2022
Highlights how misunderstood women are by medical professionals and offers solutions, together with medical approaches, to first understand your symptoms and then to help you improve your quality of life. I would recommend this book to every women!
Profile Image for Megan Sybrant.
132 reviews3 followers
April 4, 2022
Absolutely worth the read. I got it from my library but will be buying it ASAP. It was incredibly insightful and easy to read from the non-medical background. It’s legitimately a guide to hormones. A resource in every woman’s library!
Profile Image for Sallie Smith.
49 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2022
This book is well organized and well researched. My struggles with it is that it’s very dense and doesn’t seem to get to the bottom line quickly. Almost too much for me and geared towards someone aiming to know A to Z - took the quiz Online and it made me more confused.
3 reviews
January 28, 2024
This was an okay book. Just repeats a lot of similar information across different types of hormonal archetypes. If you are interested in your own hormonal health you would not need to read the entire thing, only what archetype applies to you - which is only about 2-3 chapters per archetype.
Profile Image for Nadja Bri.
18 reviews
June 20, 2025
Provides context understanding various types of hormonal imbalances and ways how to regain equilibrium.
+ Appreciated the holistic aspect incl. nutrition, exercising, mindset, supplementation and external factors
- Archetype identification too black or white
Profile Image for Simone.
101 reviews
November 19, 2025
Wasn’t as helpful as I hoped and most of the information were things I was already aware of, regardless would be a helpful dive into hormone balancing for someone who is only at early stages of self care/health journey
18 reviews
January 22, 2023
Very accurate test/quiz as I have had hormones tested and had the same results. Very good information about things to look into to correct imbalances.
Profile Image for Jess Roueche.
15 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2023
This book has a fun quiz to start knowing yourself and the impact hormones have in your life through emotions and behaviors. Offers helpful suggestions for daily diet and lifestyle.
16 reviews
April 20, 2023
Helpful book with loads of good insight into different hormonal archetypes. I have loaned to several friends and bought it several copies. Everyone I know has benefited from the info.
Profile Image for Jody Breitenbach.
26 reviews
July 5, 2023
The test didn't apply to me so the book was a no-go. Written for a younger audience - younger than 50 I'd say.
Profile Image for Beena.
288 reviews3 followers
July 17, 2024
3.5 Stars

Informative and well researched, but repetitive.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
121 reviews2 followers
October 10, 2024
Not convinced about the science here because of the heavy reliance on anecdotal experience but nevertheless found some tips helpful.
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