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

by Elizabeth G. Stewart (Author), Paula Spencer (Author) "Vagina is hardly a household word..." (more)
Key Phrases: vag itch, strep vaginitis, vaginal immune system, United States, Mother Nature, Obstet Gynecol (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: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,179 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #6 in

  Books > Science > Medicine > Reproductive & Sexual > Generative Organs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 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 (Milwaukie, OR, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an owner's manual, August 22, 2002

By	C. Gillett "cmgillett" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a nurse practitioner who specializes in women's health, I was very excited to see this book. So many problems that I see in my daily practice are addressed in this book, along with very practical suggestions for preventing them. It should be required reading for every woman in her twenties to learn what to and not to do in terms of routine maintenance of her "private parts". This book also addresses common and uncommon concerns for women of all ages and stages of life. I have in the past referred patients to Dr. Stewart's office for women whose problems have baffled the best minds in my group, and have been impressed with the evaluation, management and followup of these individuals, and have been impressed with the care that they have received from Dr. Stewart and her colleagues. I now keep a copy of this book on my desk and recommend it to most of my patients!