Rating: 4 stars
Official book description:
Does eating sugar cause yeast infections? Does pubic hair have a function?
Should you have a vulvovaginal care regimen?
Will your vagina shrivel up if you go without sex?
What's the truth about the HPV vaccine?
So many important questions, so much convincing, confusing, contradictory misinformation! In this age of click bait, pseudoscience, and celebrity-endorsed products, it's easy to be overwhelmed-whether it's websites, advice from well-meaning friends, uneducated partners, and even healthcare providers. So how do you separate facts from fiction? Obstetrician Jen Gunter, an expert on women's health-and the internet's most popular go-to doc-comes to the rescue with a book that debunks the myths and educates and empowers women. From reproductive health to the impact of antibiotics and probiotics, and the latest trends, including vaginal steaming, vaginal marijuana products, and jade eggs, Gunter takes us on a factual, fun-filled journey.
Discover the truth about:
· The vaginal microbiome
· Genital hygiene, lubricants, and hormone myths and fallacies
· How diet impacts vaginal health
· Stem cells and the vagina
· Cosmetic vaginal surgery
· What changes to expect during pregnancy, after childbirth, and through menopause
· How medicine fails women by dismissing symptoms
Plus:
· Thongs vs. lace: the best underwear for vaginal health
· How to select a tampon
· The full glory of the clitoris and the myth of the G Spot
... And so much more. Whether you're a twenty-six-year-old worried that her labia are 'uncool' or a sixty-six-year-old dealing with painful sex, this comprehensive guide is sure to become a lifelong trusted resource.
Even before my good friend Rochelle/Emmalita gave this a glowing review over on the CBR blog back in July, I sort of vaguely knew about the book, as I follow the author on Twitter (and what an informative and refreshing presence she is there). Emmalita's review of an ARC of this just made it all the more obvious that I would have to add the book to my TBR list. I didn't love it as much as she did (I possibly should have dipped more in and out of the sections that seemed the most interesting to me, rather than reading it cover to cover like I would a fiction book), I can absolutely see why this is such an incredibly important book for anyone who identifies as female (or has ever met one) to read.
Turns out that even though we have the parts, most women are not very well informed at all about how our genitals work and a lot of what we think we know is blatant falsehood and misinformation (thanks patriarchy!) So much of the world seems designed to make women feel guilty and ashamed about themselves, preferably so we'll buy things or spend tons of money surgically altering ourselves, to fit into some fictionalised ideal that is just impossible to achieve. This goes for everything from makeup, hair products, clothes, shoes and food, but hoo boy, is it extra true for anything to do with our lady gardens, our reproductive health or our periods.
It's doubtful that every chapter in this book will be relevant to each and every reader (as I mentioned, I suspect I would have found bits of the book less dull if I hadn't forced myself to read each and every page even in the sections that were less relevant to me), this is a goldmine of scientific facts and research, presented in a very no nonsense way. Of course the title has forced Gunter and her publisher to get rather creative about advertising it on social media, but the book is apparently selling very well, and I'm very happy about Dr. Gunter's success.
Judging a book by its cover: While the cover image is very striking, I really don't like the idea that the vulva is likened to a zipper (as it has neither jagged "teeth" on either side, nor can it be zipped shut). I understand that with the rather bold title, they couldn't really choose anything more anatomically correct, but I nonetheless wish something else had been chosen as a symbol for our lady parts.
Crossposted on Cannonball Read.
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