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

583 Pages·2002·17.29 MB·English

by  Elizabeth G. Stewart

YOUR PRIVATE PARTS SHOULDN'T BE PRIVATE TO
YOU
Being comfortable with your body is not a matter of modesty—it's a matter of good
health. For the first time, women have all the information they need in The V Book,
ensuring the best possible vulvovaginal health, now and in the future.
Dr. Elizabeth G. Stewart answers these common questions and many more in The V
Book:
How does a woman's V health change throughout her lifetime?
How do you know when you have a simple infection—or a more serious
condition?
Which over-the-counter treatments work or should you always call your doctor?
What really happens during a Pap smear?
Why aren't speculums heated?
If sex hurts, what do I do?
Does cranberry juice really help prevent urinary tract infections?
Can yogurt cure a yeast infection?
Are there simple solutions to embarrassing problems such as odor and itching?
Why is it important to see a gynecologist even after menopause?
What questions should you always ask your gynecologist?
And much, much more.

Disclaimer
The information in this book is designed to supplement, not substitute for, the advice of
a trained medical professional. This book should not be used as a manual for self-
diagnosis or self-treatment. Matters regarding vulvovaginal care often require medical
supervision. Readers are strongly recommended to consult with a clinician before
starting any medical treatment, diet, exercise, or other health program. The authors and
publisher disclaim liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of
this book.
For Donald, with heartfelt thanks.
Your unconditional support for all my projects has helped other women as I became first
gynecologist, then V specialist, and now V Book author.
—E.G.S.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction
PART 1 AN OWNER'S MANUAL
Chapter 1 THE MIND:
Why V health starts here
A short history of the Vs The power of positive thinking
Chapter 2 THE VULVA:
A road map to the external genitalia Learning what's what Vulvar
self-exam PLUS: Labial Enhancement
Chapter 3 THE VAGINA:
Demystifying the amazing "secret" organ V is for versatile What's
where A design marvel
Vaginal secretions The all-important V bacteria
So what's "normal" discharge?
PLUS: Kegels, the Essential Inner Exercise;The G-Spot: Fact or
Fiction?; Normal Bacteria in a Healthy Vagina
Chapter 4 AT DIFFERENT AGES:
V changes throughout the life cycle
Prenatal and newborn Childhood Puberty and
reproductive years Pregnancy and postpartum
Perimenopause Menopause A controversial rite of passage
PLUS: Common Questions: Newborn, Childhood, Puberty,
Pregnancy, Perimenopausal Symptoms; Common Questions:
Menopause
Chapter 5 V SMARTS:
Everyday habits that make a difference
Tampons Pads Panty liners Alternative protection
Underwear Douching Hair removal Other V styles
PLUS: The Heart of V Health: Ten Rules to Remember;
Tampon Absorbency; More Tampon Dangers to Discount;
Guilty or Not Guilty? The Truth About Common Tampon
Concerns; Does Your Tampon Feel Right?; Instead of Douching
Chapter 6 SEX MATTERS:
V health facts for sexually active women
First, desire Stage 1: excitement (arousal) Stage 2:
plateau Stage 3: orgasm Stage 4: resolution
Masturbation and V health Passion's pests Safer sex
Birth control and V health
PLUS: Lubricant Lowdown; Do Women Ejaculate?;
Vibrating with Care; At-a-Glance Guide to STDs;
Contraception and V Considerations
PART II WHEN YOU NEED HELP
Chapter 7 THE MOST BOTHERSOME SYMPTOMS:
Possible causes and cures
Odor Itching Unusual discharge Dryness
PLUS: Odors That Talk; Itch Relief Dos and Don'ts; Common
Vulvar Irritants and Allergens
Chapter 8 NOW WHAT?
How to proceed when there's trouble
Why you can't tell by looking Evaluating your symptoms
Why telephone diagnosis doesn't work Which doctor to see
PLUS: Warning Signs Not to Ignore; Don't Believe These
Medical Myths
Chapter 9 THE IDEAL V EXAM:
What to say, what to expect, and a guide to tests
Why timing is everything The vulvovaginal history
The pelvic exam Three important in-office tests
Other testing methods Vulvar biopsy The Pap test
PLUS: How to Talk to Your Gyn; Nagging Little Questions
About Pelvic Exams; The Silent STDs Worth a Routine Test;
Common Questions: Pap tests; All About AGUS;
The First V Exam
PART III PROBLEM AND ANSWER GUIDE
Chapter 10 YEAST INFECTIONS:
Separating the truths from the popular beliefs
What is yeast? Symptoms of a yeast infection
What causes yeast? Diagnosing a yeast infection
Self-diagnosing a yeast infection A yeast infection
action plan Steps to controlling recurrent yeast
Complicated yeast
PLUS: For Immediate Relief; Are You at Risk?; Common
Questions: Sex and yeast; Can Yogurt Prevent Yeast
Infections?; Common Questions: OTC yeast treatments;
Natural Remedies; Simple Yeast or Complex Yeast?; Is There a
Yeast Hideout?
Chapter 11 BV:The leading cause of vaginal complaints
What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)? What causes BV?
Why treatment is important Diagnosing BV
Treating BV When BV recurs
PLUS: Is It Yeast or BV?; Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis
Chapter 12 TRICH: The STD that causes vaginitis
What is trich? Diagnosing trich Treating trich
Treating resistant cases
PLUS: When a Pap Smear Finds Trich
Chapter 13 VAG ITCH, CONTINUED:Lesser-known sources of
vaginitis
The estrogen-loss vaginitis: atrophic vaginitis
Strep vaginitis Mobiluncus vaginitis
The mystery vaginitis: desquamative inflammatory vaginitis (DIV)
The discounted problem: lactobacillus overgrowth
PLUS: A Mobiluncus Success Story; A DIV Success Story
Chapter 14 COULD YOU BE ALLERGIC? Surprising irritants that
trigger the body to attack
What is allergy? Allergy to semen Other V allergies
Allergy to latex
PLUS: A Semen Allergy Success Story;The Mystery Allergy:
Hives
Chapter 15 WHEN SKIN GETS SICK: The vulva sees these skin
conditions too
What to know about cortisone Eczema/dermatitis/lichen
simplex chronicus (LSC) Lichen sclerosus (LS)
Psoriasis Lichen planus (LP) Hidradenitis
suppurativa (HS)
PLUS: Steroid Safety;The Leading Vulvar Irritants; Handle with
Care: Hygiene Help for Women with Vulvar Skin Disease;
LS Success Stories; An LP Success Story; Detecting HS Early
Chapter 16 V BUMPS AND COLOR CHANGES:Should you be
alarmed? Usually not
Common small bumps Less common small bumps
Really rare small bumps Common large bumps
Uncommon large bumps Conditions with a red color
Conditions with a white color Common dark
discolorations Rare dark discolorations Ulcers
Chapter 17 "IT HURTS":
New insights into the V pain syndrome vulvodynia
Pain theory Vestibulodynia (VBD) Vulvodynia (VVD)
PLUS: Ask Yourself: Clues to Vestibulodynia; What to Rule Out
First; The Q-tip Test; High-Oxalate Foods to Avoid; Tricyclic
Antidepressants and Their Side Effects; Don't Let Side Effects
Stop You!; Common Questions:Vestibulectomy; A VBD
Success Story; A Vulvodynia Success Story
Chapter 18 SEXUAL HEALING:
Help for coping with painful intercourse
Causes of painful sex The downward spiral
The partner's pain A coping plan Pregnancy and