I feel like I could write forever about this book. There is so much to love about it. The Vagina Bible reads to me like one doctor’s attempt to subvert the reality that the modern world continues to hold fast to the concept that there is something inherently gross, shameful, or just plain bad about the female body.
Here’s the synopsis:
Instant New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller
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? OB-GYN 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 trneds, 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 and after childbirth
– What changes to expect 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.
My super hot-take:
Horray! Knowledge!
I actually think the synopsis cheapens how great this book is. And how great Dr. Jen Gunter is. This book is a gem. And she is a force for good in the world. And she’s sassy. She’s like the fun, feisty, feminist friend of the family I never had (please feel free to shake your head in disgust – alliteration makes me sad, and I’m not sure why I just ran headlong into it like that). I like that. I’ve followed Dr. Gunter on Twitter for a while now, and she is a constant source of joy for me. As she says in my favorite Pinned Tweet possibly of all time:
Like, how is it that at 34 years old (basically) I still know so little about the inner workings of my own badass body that I got a serious schooling (OMFG here I go again MAKEITSTOP) about its mechanisms and abilities?! Whyeeeeeeeee did the public school system and every adult person I ever met think that it would benefit me to assume that my body operated on a complex web of hormones and witchcraft? This book was seriously enlightening. And Gunter rags on Goop a lot, which I think is totally fair. That shit is bananas. I mean really – vaginal steaming? “yoni” eggs? Get the ‘net, Gwyneth. Seriously. You’re a fucking menace.
And vaginal cannabis is apparently a thing, people! Like, stuffing cannabis suppositories in your vagina is a thing that actual human people do, for some actual reason. Why not just smoke it, or eat it? Why would the next logical step be to treat it like the equivalent of vodka-soaked tampons (aside: did people ever really do that, or was that an urban myth)? What even is this world we live in?
Anyway, it is my belief that you should read this book for the following camel toe-based line alone (but stay for the science and the sex!):
“Perhaps gyms and stores that sell yoga pants could put up signs, “Love Your Labial Cleavage.”
Because the world deserves better fitting athleisurewear, dammit.
The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina: Separating the Myth from the Medicine
By: Dr. Jennifer Gunter
Citadel
Non-Fiction, Health
ISBN13: 9780806539317
ISBN10: 0806539313
ISBN10: 0806539313
Published: August 27, 2019
Edit:
Batting a million here… I forgot to add my rating.
My rating:
5 out of 5 arbitrary items of rating. This book is wonderful, informative, and sometimes even funny. It is a rallying cry for women the world over to dump patriarchy- and consumer-driven assumptions and misinformation in favor of learning facts about our own bodies, and using those facts to take charge of our own health and wellness.
