scholastic_squid's review
4.0
Edit: finished Jan 5 2022 - do yourself a favor and read the book even if you do not have a vagina.
The book is educational and informative about problems, healthy signs, media portrayals, and highlights the issue of women being ignored for their pain. Although she focuses more so on the black woman in the pain chapter (rightfully so), this is an issue for all vagina owners just to varying degrees and it was interesting to learn how a black woman experiences this as well. I’ve had bouts of this through my life (see below) where nothing was done to fix the problem because if I didn’t test positive for STD’s like THEY wanted then who cares. Take some pain meds and go.
It was helpful to learn about menopause before having the issue so I am more prepared later in life. And overall, a pretty good book that was far more helpful than the American sex ed class.
I haven’t finished yet - 32% roughly
Honestly, this should be a staple for sexual education in America because even though the portions I’ve read so far solely focus on the health of the vagina.. it’s still more information than I ever received during the couple classes we discussed. At most we were given a weird math calculation to determine a period for the average number of days for an average person. And by the time we reached how to put a condom on some parent complained and we couldn’t watch how to do it on a cucumber. Smh
And the only other time I learned anything was horrifying and I wouldn’t eat pancakes for two decades… after watching a 1980s video of a mom making a uterus/vagina out of pancake batter to explain why someone got a period… yikes
I would like to add my own two cents into the “mystery infection/issue” as I’ve dealt with some weird symptoms. If you have any sort of weird stuff happening, seriously talk to your doctor about getting a chemical allergies test. After years of suffering, and using non-scented products, less toxic detergents, etc. I was still having issues. Why? Because I have chemical allergies - one of which is COLOPHONY.
Where is colophony found? In paper products! Like pads, tampons, toilet paper, laundry detergent and a billion other places. (I’m also allergic to preservatives too like in makeup and soaps and all sorts of every day items)
So, even if you are using a plain toilet paper, you can still react and it may feel like there is burning, itching, or even bladder pressure. Thankfully, (sorry for the plug) Tushy toilet paper is good to use and good for the environment too.
And to this day, I cannot let any sort of soap come in contact with that area so if you’re having issues stop that and just use warm water for a week or two.
I’m eager to finish this book and learn a little more / back up what I learned by myself through the years of suffering I went through.
And remember - always talk to a doctor but find one you’re comfortable with and is eager to learn. Avoid the set in their ways doctors because the amount of abuse women take in the medical field is unfortunately too much and those doctors will always tell you the wrong things and make you feel like it’s your fault.
The book is educational and informative about problems, healthy signs, media portrayals, and highlights the issue of women being ignored for their pain. Although she focuses more so on the black woman in the pain chapter (rightfully so), this is an issue for all vagina owners just to varying degrees and it was interesting to learn how a black woman experiences this as well. I’ve had bouts of this through my life (see below) where nothing was done to fix the problem because if I didn’t test positive for STD’s like THEY wanted then who cares. Take some pain meds and go.
It was helpful to learn about menopause before having the issue so I am more prepared later in life. And overall, a pretty good book that was far more helpful than the American sex ed class.
I haven’t finished yet - 32% roughly
Honestly, this should be a staple for sexual education in America because even though the portions I’ve read so far solely focus on the health of the vagina.. it’s still more information than I ever received during the couple classes we discussed. At most we were given a weird math calculation to determine a period for the average number of days for an average person. And by the time we reached how to put a condom on some parent complained and we couldn’t watch how to do it on a cucumber. Smh
And the only other time I learned anything was horrifying and I wouldn’t eat pancakes for two decades… after watching a 1980s video of a mom making a uterus/vagina out of pancake batter to explain why someone got a period… yikes
I would like to add my own two cents into the “mystery infection/issue” as I’ve dealt with some weird symptoms. If you have any sort of weird stuff happening, seriously talk to your doctor about getting a chemical allergies test. After years of suffering, and using non-scented products, less toxic detergents, etc. I was still having issues. Why? Because I have chemical allergies - one of which is COLOPHONY.
Where is colophony found? In paper products! Like pads, tampons, toilet paper, laundry detergent and a billion other places. (I’m also allergic to preservatives too like in makeup and soaps and all sorts of every day items)
So, even if you are using a plain toilet paper, you can still react and it may feel like there is burning, itching, or even bladder pressure. Thankfully, (sorry for the plug) Tushy toilet paper is good to use and good for the environment too.
And to this day, I cannot let any sort of soap come in contact with that area so if you’re having issues stop that and just use warm water for a week or two.
I’m eager to finish this book and learn a little more / back up what I learned by myself through the years of suffering I went through.
And remember - always talk to a doctor but find one you’re comfortable with and is eager to learn. Avoid the set in their ways doctors because the amount of abuse women take in the medical field is unfortunately too much and those doctors will always tell you the wrong things and make you feel like it’s your fault.
stylesplenty's review
3.0
I was able to review This is How You Vagina All About Your Vajayjay and Why You Probably Shouldn't Call it That by Dr. Nicole Williams and Greenleaf Book Group for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very detailed and interesting read. I was shocked at the amount of information I didn't know. Every woman should read this book.
This was a very detailed and interesting read. I was shocked at the amount of information I didn't know. Every woman should read this book.
emsterino19's review
4.0
Filled with great information! I learned a lot!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
dhee_pa's review
5.0
Highly recommend. Accessible health lit is rare. This is thorough, clear, and engaging.
It really is easy to understand. And it has tons links and illustrations.
It really is easy to understand. And it has tons links and illustrations.
bibliovino's review
4.0
Incredibly informative not only on the vagina, but also the socio-sexual landscape in general. Dr. Williams gives a comprehensive look at the female genitalia and at the same time elucidates on how the vagina (and female sexuality in general) are viewed by society and the medical establishment. Let’s just say it’s not great.
I was heartbroken to discover that the medical community still has a very low opinion of female sexuality and the inherent variety of sexual function and enjoyment. So many studies cited in the work and frankly inadequate (as the author laments) when dealing with what women go through when it comes to their sex organs. Most of these studies are with very small cross sections of women and almost entirely out of date, or too recent to have gained traction.
Most upsetting were the chapters in which vaginalism (yes, she made that word up) is painted as pervasive and damaging even to this day. We have so much left to learn and discover about our bodies and their frankly miraculous sexual properties. Thank you for your insight, Nicole.
Thank you to the publisher and Kate Rock Book Tours for my free copy. These opinions are my own.
I was heartbroken to discover that the medical community still has a very low opinion of female sexuality and the inherent variety of sexual function and enjoyment. So many studies cited in the work and frankly inadequate (as the author laments) when dealing with what women go through when it comes to their sex organs. Most of these studies are with very small cross sections of women and almost entirely out of date, or too recent to have gained traction.
Most upsetting were the chapters in which vaginalism (yes, she made that word up) is painted as pervasive and damaging even to this day. We have so much left to learn and discover about our bodies and their frankly miraculous sexual properties. Thank you for your insight, Nicole.
Thank you to the publisher and Kate Rock Book Tours for my free copy. These opinions are my own.
soundertillidie's review
3.0
***goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review***
2.5 stars rounded up. I don't own a vagina but wanted to learn more so I entered and won this book. It was full of cool info. Not my favorite sex education book but not the worst either.
2.5 stars rounded up. I don't own a vagina but wanted to learn more so I entered and won this book. It was full of cool info. Not my favorite sex education book but not the worst either.
bookish_heidi's review
5.0
Every person who has a vagina, should also have this book. From premenstrual to postmenopausal, it goes through everything. The history, the myths, the facts, etc. And it's written in a way that's not boring. It doesn't read like a textbook, but more like a chat with a Dr who actually knows her stuff.
It reminded me of my college days when I went to see The Vagina Monologues. The angry vagina section has stuck with me ever since. "My vagina's angry. It is. It's pissed off. My vagina's furious and it needs to talk.".
It reminded me of my college days when I went to see The Vagina Monologues. The angry vagina section has stuck with me ever since. "My vagina's angry. It is. It's pissed off. My vagina's furious and it needs to talk.".
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