Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Very engrossing, thorough book, I was compelled to read it all the way through, fascinated. It is very well written.

As a person who has dealt with V pain for 6 years, I was happy to read Elizabeth's details about the neurological connection (p. 299), a conclusion I came to (less scientifically) after successful photonic treatment (Bales Scientific) calmed my V nerves non-invasively.

The Low Oxalate diet never did a thing for me. It is mentioned along with many other suggestions.

I applaud more such books being written, and an eventual update of this book (the information in here on HRT is already out of date as more recent studies indicate).

After 13 visits in 2 years to the Ob/Gyn and thinking I had yeast infections that couldn't be cured, this book was recommended to me by a PA OB/GYN friend. Wow, what a differnce this made. Well, needless to say I found out I don't have a problem with yeast and I was able to find a doctor to help me with a very solvable problem. Reading the V book educated me so that I knew what questions to ask and what information to have to help a doctor diagnose my problems. I also learned that my doctor did what many do, no culturing of yeast, but prescribe medication. I don't mean this to bash the doctor but rather to share how uninfrmed I was and how empowered I am now. The book is well written, easy to read and thorough. READ this book if you are a women stuggling with your own vaginal health issues. Give this book to any woman you love.

This book contains so much great information, especially for someone who has suffered from vulvar conditions, like myself. It covers everything from basic anatomy to vulvar cancer and everything in between. Infections, skin problems, and vulvodynia are discussed in an easy-to-understand style. However, I noticed that this book was published in 2002. In the past several years, newer treatments have been studied and used- particularly for vulvodynia. This book makes it seem like oral antidepressants and oral anticonvulsants are the only meds available for pain, but there are other treatments available. Overall though, it's a great resource for many "V" topics.

OK, This is a very private thing for most women - so when you hear your Dr say you have something and you just dont feel like surfing the internet in the hopes of getting comprehensive information and not a lot of blogs and trying to figure out if the person is qualified to write that stuff - well dont waste your time and just get this book. It's long but in reality you can go through it in a night or two because you will know what you are looking for but you can be assured that it will be there for any other issues. It's comprehensive, pictures to help with the understanding of terms, treatment options, etc. I am not going to be into specifics. Just know that you will NOT need another book about v issues after this one (VVD, VBS, menopause, and a ton more...yeast infections, UTI, all type of other infections, bumps...just know it's in there)

Working in a book store, I really get to see what's out there, and this is the best book so far about vulvar pain conditions. The V-Zone was a good book, but this is more complete. If you have ANY sort of sexual/pain problems, you need this book. There are conditions out there that are not yet widely known, and women go for years without getting them properly diagnosed. This book contains all the latest information, as well as general health information. A great reference book.

The V Book, by Elizabeth Stewart, is an excellent reference for women and their physicians on a multitude of problems that might arise in the vulvovaginal area. I recommend this book to every woman with chronic vulvovaginal symptoms, including all my vulvodynia patients, and to every physician caring for women as well. The feedback I've received from my patients who have read this book is excellent.
Barbara D. Reed, MD, MPSH, Professor, University of Michigan

I am a nurse practitioner in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was thrilled to read "The V Book" by Elizabeth Stewart. This book is nothing sort of a gem, and provides in an easy-to-read format all the details of "everything you ever wanted to know about 'down there' but were afraid to ask." The information has been impeccably researched and is presented in a very balanced format. The drawings of female anatomy are beautiful and realistic and make it easy for women to identify areas of the vagina and vulva.

I have practiced in the Boston area and know many women who have been referred to Dr. Stewart's clinic. They have been extremely pleased with their care, and in many cases have had long-standing and difficult problems resolved. I am grateful that Dr. Stewart's wisdom and experience are now available both to women and to the clinicians who provide them with their gynecologic care.

It is clear that Dr. Stewart is deeply committed to helping women obtain quality health care. If you are a woman experiencing a GYN health issue, this book will provide you with the facts you need to understand the nature of your problem, to ask good questions of your health care provider, and to determine if the care you are receiving is effective and appropriate. Every conceivable topic regarding a women's gynecologic health is covered in a thorough manner, and it is done so with both accuracy and sensitivity.