PEOPLE with vaginas have a lot of questions. Google has more than 21 million entries for vagina alone – that is how fascinating this subject is. The Internet, unfortunately, can often lead you to scary places filled with misinformation written by people who may not have a full grasp – or medical qualifications – to back up what they are saying on the subject.
To counter this misinformation and provide one place where you can go to with all your questions no matter how far out they may seem, Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG, set out to inform women in a fun yet medically sound way about their most intimate anatomy with her book: 'The Complete A to Z for your V: A Women’s Guide to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your Vagina – Health, Pleasure, Hormones, and More'.
Dweck is a well respected, full-time practicing OB/GYN with over 20 years of experience, who has also written prolifically on women’s health in magazines such as Cosmopolitan, SHAPE, Family Circle, Health, Women's Health and Girl’s Life.
Her co-author is Robin Westen, an expert sex advice columnist and journalist with more than 20 years of experience writing for magazines such as Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, and more. She specialises in health, relationships, sex issues, and parenting.
This is a doctor’s guide for the laywoman and covers everything a woman at any stage in her life would want to know about her own unique health. If you are researching anything specific (in my case it was H for hormones, M for menopause, T for TOYS!) – you will be able to find just that and more, as each section then naturally expands into further discussion on the related subject.
Between the covers, expect the usual sections on anatomy, menstruation, reproduction, birth control, hormones, menopause, and the myriad of STDs you could feasibly come into contact with. Personal hygiene, gynaecological and rectum health also get their own chapter in this book, and are based on the questions real-life patients have asked her about in her long career.
Perhaps less frequently asked about are methods of hair removal, genital piercing, pubic hair-dyeing and intimate tattooing, but the good doctor explores this as well, as these are issues you may wonder about but are too shy to ask a professional.
The section on vaginal esthetiques – an entirely first world concern perhaps – intrigued me the most. If you thought that only your face could get a lift, you are wrong. Labioplasty is the latest trend in elective cosmetic surgery, where you can change the way you look and feel for a younger, much rejuvenated appearance.
Fixing floppy labias is apparently not just about looks. Fact: women with larger labias can suffer from chronic irritation, infection, poor hygiene, and pain during sex or sports because of it. It is not entirely a case of opting for a more subdued camel-toe. There is the issue of emotional and psychological stress that can come from feeling not “beautiful or feminine enough down there”.
Still on the topic of elective surgery, G-Spot Amplification is also apparently a Thing. It is said you can enhance your sexual satisfaction tremendously with this procedure. What this essentially entails is making your G-spot bigger by injecting collagen into the anterior wall of the vagina. The authors do caution that there is no scientific information on the safety, efficacy or long-term satisfaction of this procedure - but the fact that this information is included in the book just for your information is indeed, well, helpful!
What is a complete guide to your vagina without the mention of the almighty and longed for Orgasm. Here, the authors give you the facts on what is normal, what can affect and boost your libido, the use of pornography, sex toys (along with some solid recommendations), and aphrodisiacs. It also explores the relationship you have with your partner and whether it is ever ok to fake it. Their answers may surprise you.
The last chapter, Z, is all about Zen and appreciating your parts and nurturing the mind-vagina connection. A lot of what makes us sexual beings does not necessarily equate with what we do with our genitals, but with how we think and feel. There is a mind-body connection here and stress and anxiety can wreak havoc with not just our body and its functions, but also with how we express ourselves as sexual beings. In this chapter, you’ll find ways to tame stress and channel your energies to feel at one with your body and sexuality.
This friendly and non judgemental guide is for women of all ages. It can be a useful reference for the whole family. It is one of those books you pick up out of curiosity, and find yourself deeply engrossed in. I would have no problem with passing it on to my teenage daughter for her own reading. I would rather she get the graphic lowdown from a trusted expert in the field of women’s health than from an unverified source on the internet.
The language and tone, while informal, is educationally engaging. It is also a humorous read. The years of magazine-column experience these two authors have between them is evident in the structure, layout and illustrations in this book. If you enjoy the kind of informed sex, sexual health and relationship reads from the likes of Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, and SHAPE magazine, you’ll enjoy this book tremendously. I personally feel it should be required reading for anyone with a V. – The Vibes, June 12, 2021
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Here is the promo discount code for The Vibes' book review on 'The Complete A to Z for Your V'. The validity of the discount code will be from June 12th to the 25th, 2021.
- Promo Discount Code: VIBES15OFF7
- Mechanics:
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- Discount code is limited to one time use per customer only.
