ARC Review: The Vagina Bible by Jen Gunter, MD

The Vagina Bible by Jen Gunter, MD

Rating: ★★★★☆
Links: Amazon • TBD • Goodreads
Publication Date: August 27, 2019
Source: ARC via Netgalley

OB/GYN, writer for The New York Times, USA Today, and Self, and host of the show Jensplaining, Dr. Jen Gunter now delivers the definitive book on vaginal health, answering the questions you’ve always had but were afraid to ask–or couldn’t find the right answers to. She has been called Twitter’s resident gynecologist, the Internet’s OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women’s health…and she’s here to give you the straight talk on the topics she knows best.

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 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

This was kind of an impulse request on Netgalley. As someone who worked in a hospital for seven years, I am always curious about medical texts written for the average, non-medical person. As a woman, I don’t think I can ever be too educated about my own reproductive system. Although I’d never heard of Dr. Gunter before, I liked the synopsis of this book.

Reading it turned out to be a very good decision. This book covers pretty much everything you could ever want to know about vaginas and reproductive health. It’s written in a very easy-to-read, engaging way. Although some of the chapters could be pretty terrifying (I could have lived my whole life without knowing that it’s possible to tear the rectum open during childbirth and without knowing that the cervix can literally fall out through the vagina), they were definitely educational.

Probably the best thing about this book is the constant debunking of myths about vaginal health, feminine cleaning products, and STDs. Dr. Gunter takes a no-nonsense approach to everything from Goop’s jade egg to self-diagnosing various conditions.

The only negative thing I can really say about this book is that it could be very repetitive. Dr. Gunter addresses different pieces of the same conditions pretty frequently, so there can be some overlap. All in all, though, this is a great reference for pretty much anyone and I’m glad I took the time to read it.

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