The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health [Paperback]

Elizabeth G. Stewart (Author), Paula Spencer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 2002

The Groundbreaking Guide Every Woman Needs

With The V Book, women will learn everything they need to know about the basics of vulvovaginal—or “V”–health, an essential yet often overlooked area of women’s health. Dr. Elizabeth G. Stewart, the nation’s foremost expert in vulvovaginal care and sexual-pain disorders, answers the questions about the all too common “V” ailments that women are embarrassed to discuss even with their doctors.

Drawing upon the latest medical research and two decades of experience treating thousands of women in her specialized gynecological practice, Dr. Stewart has compiled a wealth of information and advice. This
comprehensive and authoritative guide for women of all ages includes:

• How your vulvovaginal concerns change throughout the life cycle, from your teens through menopause and beyond
• How to pick a good gynecologist, and how to ask the right questions
• Dos and don’ts of V hygiene—and why sometimes less is better
• The safest use of tampons, pads, and pantiliners
• How to handle common symptoms, such as redness, itching, dryness, and discharge
• Which medical tests you should insist upon from your doctor
• Tips for safe and pleasurable sex, and what to do when sexual intercourse is painful
• The latest research on vulvodynia, the vaginal pain syndrome that won’t go away
• Diagnosing and treating yeast infections, allergies, and other ailments
• What to do if your doctor detects cancer or precancer cells

And much, much more...

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For many women and their partners, "down there" is terra incognita, unlike the more obvious penis and testicles of men. How many women know the correct terms for parts of female genitalia and what itching, pain, or discharge may mean? How many dare get medical treatment for discomfort? Stewart and Spencer's guide covers it all in friendly lay language: vulvovaginal anatomy and functions, changes through the life cycle, routine self-care, sexual issues affecting the "Vs" (vulvovaginal area), pelvic exams, bothersome symptoms, and 13 chapters for specific problems. Stewart is a clinical gynecologist and medical school instructor with over 20 years' experience, 12 specializing in vulvovaginal care; Spencer is a journalist focusing on women's and family issues. This is an excellent book and a first on the subject, with good illustrations, a resource list, charts, tables, and sidebars. Say the authors, "Your private parts shouldn't be private to you." Highly recommended; a good complementary work is Rebecca Chalker's The Clitoral Truth, with extensive details about that structure in the vulva perhaps least incognita. Martha Cornog, Philadelphia
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

With Spencer's help in the writing, gynecologist Stewart's practical guide to the "V area" first describes the historical development of knowledge about the vulvovaginal area and, aided by occasionally striking illustrations, considers its anatomy and physiology at length. Stewart explains routine care and hygiene as well as changes to expect with aging. She urges women to "loosen up" in terms of clothing and psychology, and she stresses how important precise language is to a woman's knowledge of V-area health and to meaningful communication with doctors. She either clarifies or explodes some myths, gives substantial consideration to sex matters, and explores minor as well as major symptoms of trouble in the area. Her discussion of cancer and precancer conditions is realistic, and her advice for selecting and communicating well with a gynecologist is painstaking. The medical references she includes are meant to open and inform both physicians' and patients' minds. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 1 edition (June 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553381148
• ISBN-13: 978-0553381146
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What your doctor/school/mother didn't tell you about YOU, January 26, 2004

By 

Amazonbombshell (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health (Paperback)

Ladies, this book is excellent reading for every one of us. Written by a doctor who is not only a gynecologist but also that rare breed, the vulvovaginal specialist, it is -- as another reviewer suggested -- the owner's manual for everyone with a vulva, vestibule, and vagina. If you're not sure exactly what I mean by those last three terms, you need to find out, and Dr. Elizabeth Stewart -- the author of this book -- is the one to tell you.

Not only does Dr. Stewart cover what we've got, why we shouldn't be ashamed of it, and how it works, she gives in-depth, readable information on vulvovaginal infections, imbalances, and other problems, tells you how they can be treated, and enumerates interactions and complications for women with special needs (i.e. they're pregnant, HIV positive, etc.) She separates myths from facts and has the data and experience to prove what she says. She also goes over the ideal visit to your GYN, and lets you know what questions you should ask, what tests you should request when, and how to choose the best clinician to meet your needs.

All in all, this book is not only excellent but ESSENTIAL to a woman's library. It's light, clear reading, and it may be the most empowering book you read all year.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vag Quiz, June 11, 2006

By 

Mr. P. A. Recher (Dorroughby, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health (Paperback)

Listening to ABC, I heard Dr Elizabeth Stewart discussing her and Paula Spencer's "The V book- a doctor's guide to vulvovaginal health." Realizing this was a book for my daughters, I ordered two copies.

Having a fascination with the subject matter, I naturally read the work before posting. I learnt things I didn't know that I didn't even know, I didn't know.

Try the V-quiz.

1) Why do women get wet in the crotch when tense?

For the same reason as their armpits. The labia majora sweat. Ordinary sweating is a common cause of vulvovaginal odour.

2) Do tampons cause toxic shock a) yes b) no c) not sure

b) There was a problem with super-absorbent tampons but these are no longer on the market

3) What is the role of the Bartholin glands?

Lubrication

4) T or F The hymen can be ruptured by sport activity?

False

5) The clitoris is fully formed by what age?

27th week of gestation

6) What percentage of women harbor E. coli in their vagina?

20%

7) Which of the following essential oils is very active against yeast infection? a) Clove b) Rose c) Tea tree d) Thyme

ans: a,b,d

8) The only known natural, proven, useable remedy for yeast infection is?

Boric acid

9) What is the leading cause of vaginal complaints in the USA?

Bacterial vaginosis

10) What is bacterial vaginosis? It is not an infection but imbalance of bacterial flora.

11) Lactobacilli normally control unwanted bacteria by producing what chemical?

Hydrogen peroxide

12) What is the main cause of `fishy' vaginal odour?

Anaerobic bacteria

13) What appears to be a major cause of Lactobacilli dieback?

Some men have killer sperm!

14) The authors' favoured supplemental lubricant?

Olive oil

15) What chemical is critical for erectile response in women and men?

Nitric oxide (NO)

16) Where does vaginal `wetness' during arousal originate?

Blood plasma

17) What gives vaginal fluid its' slippery feel?

Proteins

18) T or F When you have sex on a regular basis, you naturally lubricate more?

T

19) What is a vart?

Air passed from the vagina

20) T or F Intercourse fails to achieve orgasm for more than 70 percent of women?

F >50%

Every man should buy a copy of this book for every woman in his life: wife, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, mistress. Every woman should own a copy and every man should read it.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Woman Should Own This Book!, May 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health (Paperback)

After two months of agony and several incorrect diagnoses, I was correctly diagnosed with a "V" disorder and referred to the medical library in our town to look up my condition. They gave me this book, and at last, I understand what I have been going through and why. I am buying a copy of this book for myself and for each of my daughters-in-law. Every female should own this book--no woman should suffer in silence or be ashamed of this part of her body. And none of us should be subjected to continued misdiagnoses any longer. This book provides the information we need to help us lead healthier, happier lives and to be active, educated participants in our own health care. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It could literally be a life-saver for some women who have nowhere else to turn for answers.