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

After 13 visits in 2 years to the Ob/Gyn and thinking I had yeast infections that couldn't be cured, this book was recommended to me by a PA OB/GYN friend. Wow, what a differnce this made. Well, needless to say I found out I don't have a problem with yeast and I was able to find a doctor to help me with a very solvable problem. Reading the V book educated me so that I knew what questions to ask and what information to have to help a doctor diagnose my problems. I also learned that my doctor did what many do, no culturing of yeast, but prescribe medication. I don't mean this to bash the doctor but rather to share how uninfrmed I was and how empowered I am now. The book is well written, easy to read and thorough. READ this book if you are a women stuggling with your own vaginal health issues. Give this book to any woman you love.

Ladies, this book is excellent reading for every one of us. Written by a doctor who is not only a gynecologist but also that rare breed, the vulvovaginal specialist, it is -- as another reviewer suggested -- the owner's manual for everyone with a vulva, vestibule, and vagina. If you're not sure exactly what I mean by those last three terms, you need to find out, and Dr. Elizabeth Stewart -- the author of this book -- is the one to tell you. Not only does Dr. Stewart cover what we've got, why we shouldn't be ashamed of it, and how it works, she gives in-depth, readable information on vulvovaginal infections, imbalances, and other problems, tells you how they can be treated, and enumerates interactions and complications for women with special needs (i.e. they're pregnant, HIV positive, etc.) She separates myths from facts and has the data and experience to prove what she says. She also goes over the ideal visit to your GYN, and lets you know what questions you should ask, what tests you should request when, and how to choose the best clinician to meet your needs. All in all, this book is not only excellent but ESSENTIAL to a woman's library. It's light, clear reading, and it may be the most empowering book you read all year.

After two months of agony and several incorrect diagnoses, I was correctly diagnosed with a "V" disorder and referred to the medical library in our town to look up my condition. They gave me this book, and at last, I understand what I have been going through and why. I am buying a copy of this book for myself and for each of my daughters-in-law. Every female should own this book--no woman should suffer in silence or be ashamed of this part of her body. And none of us should be subjected to continued misdiagnoses any longer. This book provides the information we need to help us lead healthier, happier lives and to be active, educated participants in our own health care. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It could literally be a life-saver for some women who have nowhere else to turn for answers.

Very engrossing, thorough book, I was compelled to read it all the way through, fascinated. It is very well written. As a person who has dealt with V pain for 6 years, I was happy to read Elizabeth's details about the neurological connection (p. 299), a conclusion I came to (less scientifically) after successful photonic treatment (Bales Scientific) calmed my V nerves non-invasively. The Low Oxalate diet never did a thing for me. It is mentioned along with many other suggestions. I applaud more such books being written, and an eventual update of this book (the information in here on HRT is already out of date as more recent studies indicate).

As a nurse practitioner who specializes in women's health, I was very excited to see this book. So many problems that I see in my daily practice are addressed in this book, along with very practical suggestions for preventing them. It should be required reading for every woman in her twenties to learn what to and not to do in terms of routine maintenance of her "private parts". This book also addresses common and uncommon concerns for women of all ages and stages of life. I have in the past referred patients to Dr. Stewart's office for women whose problems have baffled the best minds in my group, and have been impressed with the evaluation, management and followup of these individuals, and have been impressed with the care that they have received from Dr. Stewart and her colleagues. I now keep a copy of this book on my desk and recommend it to most of my patients!