jenb123's Full Review: Colette Bouchez - The V Zone: A Woman's Guide to I...
You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of vaginitis, yeast infections, painful sex, STDs, UTIs, and much more! You are about to enter* The V Zone.
No, I'm not Rod Serling on hormone therapy, and this is not a bizarre science fiction/health show. It's yet another review, this one is of a book. A book about intimate health, so if referring to points south of the navel will offend you, you'll want to stop reading now.
Still here? Alrighty, let's talk about The V-Zone...
Is this like Cliff's Notes for "Growing Up and Liking it?"
Ummmm....No. They don't teach this stuff in school. The V Zone is kind of like an owner's manual for...for...ummm..down there...the nether-regions...the hoo-ha...the 'you know what' or, as the book calls it:
"that sacred, revered, and sometimes feared area that lies quietly between our belly button and our thighs.".
I'm talking about the vagina. Yes folks, I did say vagina. The V-Zone is not only the name of the book, but is now also used as a term for the female reproductive area.
See, not all of my reviews are about children's videos and toys. But I digress.
"Everything you ever wanted to know about intimate health care..."
...but had no idea who the heck to ask. Let's face it, you can't always ask the grandmotherly nurse who is handing you a paper gown. Moments later, when you're in stirrups you just don't want to chat with your gynecologist. Especially if your doctor is a man or if you think your question is stupid.
I've given birth at a teaching hospital which means that more people have seen my V-Zone than I care to admit. After eight years of marriage, two kids and more OB/GYN visits than I can count, I am still not very eager to ask questions.
I'm more likely to ask my friends (yes, women can and do discuss these things), surf the internet or try to read about these issues. Unfortunately, my trusty old copy of It's Your Body by Niels H. Lauerson is not only dated, but written by someone lacking an important thing...A V-Zone. He is vaginally challenged.
Maybe he has a P-Zone (and I don't mean that calzone thing at Pizza Hut), but a male doctor can't possibly relate to what females go through. Diagnose a yeast infection or write a prescription for birth control pills, yes. Compare notes on menstrual cramps. No way.
I'm not knocking male OB/GYNs, but when you describe a feeling or pain or perhaps a sexual issue, he certainly can't say "I know what you mean!"
My point is that unlike many books on the topic of female reproductive health, The V-Zone was written by someone who can relate. A female. A writer with her very own V-Zone. Though author, Colette Bouchez, is not a famous obstetrician/gynecologist, she is a respected medical reporter. As a journalist, she has compiled the most current research and information about intimate health and has translated it into an easy-to-follow and very useful book.
Urethras and vulvas and pap tests, oh my!
I bet you're wondering just what else is covered in The V-Zone. Don't you fret, I'm going to give you a short rundown of key issues covered in this informative book.
Chapter One is kind of a Intimate Health 101. There is a "road map" of the whole V-Zone including locations and functions of individual structures and organs. You learn what is normal and what warrants further investigation. Even appearance and color is discussed so you know what a healthy vulva looks like or what might signal a problem.
The latest procedures and tests are also touched on with facts that you probably never even considered. What is involved with various screening tests and comparisons between different types helps make the dreaded yearly pap test less scary. Perhaps most importantly, the menstrual cycle is explained in simple terms and instructions for breast self-examinations are also included. Knowledge and prevention are key.
Chapter Two covers BV or bacterial vaginitis which is actually a non-specific term for various infections of the vagina. Different types of these infections are explained along with ways to treat the symptoms.
This chapter is not a substitute for a trip to the doctor, but rather helps you go to the doctor with an understanding of what may be wrong and what tests may be done. Various prescription remedies are described so that if you can even read what the doctor has scrawled on his prescription pad, you'll know what you're using and how it works.
OTC and natural remedies are also discussed as well as ways to reduce your risk of getting BV in the first place. Those delicate questions like "Can I still have sex?" or "Are tampons safe?" are answered. Most importantly, how BV affects different women can reassure the frightened pregnant woman and can help prevent many women from further complications.
Chapter Three is a guide to the dreaded yeastie beasties. The fungus among us. The reason there are so many Monistat-7 commercials...Yes, those bothersome yeast infections. Confusing and uncomfortable, the causes, risks and various remedies are compared to help clarify things...in all senses of the word.
You'll discover interesting uses for garlic, excuses to not wear panties and when you should suspect that there is more than a yeast infection going on. Many people don't know that frequent yeast infections are often signals of other problems.
Chapter Four is a vital guide to "itches, rashes, bumps and lumps" that should not be ignored. Various causes of irritation are suggested along with ways to avoid them. Cysts are explained to give you an idea of what is serious and what may be easy to care for, but more serious infections are mentioned too.
Sometimes what looks like a rash can be a sign of cancer, other times a home remedy can do. Knowing what to expect can make these symptoms less frightening and make it less confusing when you discuss them with a doctor.
Chapter Five is a prime example of the type of issues a male doctor just can't relate to. Vulvar pain is simply not something a man will ever go through, so knowing the potential causes, effects and risks of these problems is extremely useful.
Even with a female doctor, telling someone that you have this type of pain can be embarrassing and may easily be dismissed or not treated properly. Knowing the various causes of V-Zone pain whether it is painful sex or other discomforts is vital to working with your doctor to remedy the problem.
Chapter Six is like an abbreviated UTIs for Dummies. Urinary tract infections are common and can often be prevented. Some of the causes are extremely surprising. Does it burn when you urinate? Is your partner using Viagra? Yes, sometimes there is a connection.
The risks, signs and treatments are covered extensively. The various therapies are summarized and even future treatments are touched on. Sometimes women don't even consider a UTI something that the gynecologist can treat.
Chapters Seven and Eight deals with STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and also viruses. No doubt this is not a topic anyone wants to talk about with a a doctor or anyone else for that matter.
Modes of transmission, symptoms and treatments are all in plain English. Myths and misconceptions are cleared up, methods to clear the disease or virus are simplified.
You will be better aware of whether or not you should smack your partner or when you need to explain something to him. From curable to more serious diseases, there is a lot of information.
Chapter Nine is the last chapter and it covers hygiene. This is another topic that people don't care to discuss for fear of appearing stupid or even out of embarrassment.
If you squirm during disposable douche commercials or don't know what to do about that "not-so-fresh" feeling, you can breathe easy. Tampons vs pads, soap vs soap free... How hygiene affects your V-Zone health...Who knew there was so much to learn?
Resources are also provided at the end of the book. There are a number of websites and organizations, medical associations and even feminine product manufacturers listed. The list is quite long and useful. Though using a search engine like Google might yield more results, I doubt I'd have ever even thought there was a Vulvar Pain Foundation.
My vagina monologue...
When you have questions that you can't ask your mom, don't want to ask your doctor and are afraid to ask your friends, The V-Zone is a woman's best friend.
Though not a complete "encyclopedia" of intimate health and missing several aspects of V-Zone health, this book is easy to read and can be used as a tool to make more educated decisions. Where else can you learn the difference between Gyne-Lotrimin and Mycelex-7 and be reassured that Oreos don't cause yeast infections? (I kid you not, see page 72)
On the other hand, I think that older women will feel that issues they need to know about are overlooked (menopause) and other serious issues like endometriosis or hysterectomy that can affect women of all ages are not dealt with. Information about Group B Strep, something that scares and confuses many a pregnant woman, would have been helpful.
Illustrations, particularly photographs, would have been helpful in showing different signs of problems as well as what is normal.
While I wouldn't say that The V-Zone is a "fun read" or a giggle-fest, it does show that Colette Bouchez is trying to put women at ease by keeping the tone friendly.
Some chapters and headings have clever phrases to keep less than amusing topics less boring. For example, The V Fungus: The Yeast of Your Worries and Burning Desire are chapters about yeast infections and UTIs. The chapter about STDs is called When Good Girls Get Bad Diseases.
Overall (or would it be under all?)
I now know more about my...you know...than I thought possible. And so will you if you read The V-Zone: A Woman's Guide To Intimate Health Care. Hey, I even got answers to questions I hadn't even thought of.
Though not the ultimate book of answers, The V-Zone is easy to understand. It can be a handy reference book, a doctor-to-plain English dictionary and can help most women learn more about their bodies.
Knowledge is power, and knowing your own body is the key to staying healthy. I recommend The V-Zone to any woman, but particularly those of childbearing age. Teenagers who might be too embarrassed to talk to anyone would benefit as well.
And so, as this review comes to a close, if you should find yourself wondering how to prevent UTIs or have a question to embarrassing to ask your doctor? You just may find your answers, every one, in the pages of The V-
Zone....
*okay, maybe not ENTER, that's not exactly where I was going with that...
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