What do you think?
Rate this book
The V Zone: A Woman's Guide to Intimate Health Care
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Intimate Health Care
The V Zone answers those difficult and embarrassing questions women often are unable to ask their own doctor. Colette Bouchez, an award winning medical journalist, explains important health information in easy-to-understand language, and offers women a clear, concise plan for dealing with the most common gynecological complaints. In addition to describing currently available medical treatments, The V Zone reports on natural and alternative solutions, and helps navigate the wide array of over-the-counter products, including menstrual aids, home test kits, and feminine hygiene products. Know instantly what's safe to use, what's not, when it's okay to self-treat, and when it's time to seek professional care. Also included is the latest information
The V Zone answers those difficult and embarrassing questions women often are unable to ask their own doctor. Colette Bouchez, an award winning medical journalist, explains important health information in easy-to-understand language, and offers women a clear, concise plan for dealing with the most common gynecological complaints. In addition to describing currently available medical treatments, The V Zone reports on natural and alternative solutions, and helps navigate the wide array of over-the-counter products, including menstrual aids, home test kits, and feminine hygiene products. Know instantly what's safe to use, what's not, when it's okay to self-treat, and when it's time to seek professional care. Also included is the latest information
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
17 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 11, 2009
This book is for all females that are menstruating, sexually active, take baths, use or used sanitary napkins and individuals striving to learn more about the internal mechanisms of the vaginal ecosystem.
This is the book that should be given to girls at school after "the talk." I'm 47 years old and thought I knew all there was to know about the vaginal area. Boy was I WRONG.
I found this book to be very well laid out, easy to read, nice question and answer boxes placed periodically in sections. It was extremely informative and the back of the book contains a list of "Resources for Better Health" to include websites, email info, physical addresses and phone numbers.
I had know idea there were so many different pap exams available--some more thorough, but not all covered by most insurance companies. They are all listed here and include: "What it is" "How's it Done?" "Improved Accuracy" "Additional Costs." When is the best time for you to go in for your physical exam...things to avoid 24-hours prior to your exam...
There are chapters covering various infections (fungal and viral) that are detailed, indicating symptoms, cures, causes, etc. I don't think anything was left out: BV, Yeast (the differences), HIV, Hep-B, other non-sexually related bumps, rashes, cysts (Yes, you can get one here), etc.
I was shocked to read that as recently as 1992 the "Merck Manual" listed painful intercourse for women under "psychiatric disturbances." Painful intercourse now has a name, "vulvodynia" or "vulvar vestibulitis" and there are now various forms and treatments available.
Equally shocking, was to see a survey result from doctors that indicated they did not bring up infections they saw during a routine exam unless the patient asked them about it first. Go figure.
In order to receive the best possible health care, a person needs to be: cognizant, know what to say, how to say it--with specific symptoms. This book arms you for just that.
For women suffering from dryness there are vaginal lubricants...in the form of lubricated tampons that can help. Page 126
There is a large section on urinary tract infections (UTIs) and also covers men/women passing various infections to/from each other (orally, anally). Yep, it's covered here. If a man believes he can have anal sex with a condom and will remain clean, think again. Steps to take to prevent infection.
Did you know that if you use a toilet seat IMMEDIATELY AFTER someone that has genital warts, you can pick it up? There is no cure; only treatment.
Did you know you can get Hep B from manicures, tattoos and sex?
The author did an excellent job providing detailed symptoms, treatments (some over the counter (OTC), some naturally). I've always been baffled by the number of different OTC yeast infection medications available. The author explains them all. What they do. How they work. Why one may not work for you. Some treat multiple symptoms that may be related to the yeast infection. ** All yeast infections take 7 days to run its course, so using a 3-day (or 1) dose yeast treatment is a much stronger dose. Still requires 7 days to run its course.** Some OTC yeast treatments don't work for you. There are others that are still available via prescription only.
The importance of sleeping...bare. The vagina has to breath and if we subject the area to no air can lead to fungus, etc. Pantyhose, tight jeans, colored panties can cause problems. Staying in a damp bathing suit or damp workout clothes...problems.
Bath products! I had my mouth open through here. Using powders on the vaginal area has been linked to cancer! Even though--a few years ago--it was vehemently denied by the powers-that-be, i.e., manufacturers of those products. Studies now prove it can cause cancer.
Powders and talcs have been traced back to babies. Stop using them on the genital area no matter what age. Period.
Just because products are labeled "hypoallergenic" or "unscented" doesn't mean they are. Be careful. Manufacturers can alter a product (even slightly) or your body will change and suddenly a product you've always used is now an irritant.
The FDA gives a lot of leeway to businesses that produce female products to include dies used in making tampons and sanitary napkins white. Dyes that we know are harmful are often in these products. Specifically, a chemical called dioxin AKA: agent orange and can be found even in disposable diapers!
The book mentions New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney who has been introducing legislation called the "Tampon Health and Safety Research Act" into Congress for several years, but it continues to be shot down. The manufacturers of the major tampons and sanitary napkins used are policing themselves and cried no foul. Now they are saying...maybe, but we think we fixed it. The author presents some alternatives for sanitary napkins and tampons, but they were all too "ick" for me. Small cups to insert into the vagina during menstruation. (Nope.) Going back to the dark ages and washing our menstruating "cloths" like cloth diapers. (Ew, what a mess. Not a viable option.)
Silicone bath products. Yep, the same silicone that caused so many women with silicone breast implants health problems are in many bath products! Manufacturers hide the name silicone by using:
simethicone, dimethicone, trimethicone, disiloxane or terracyclosilooxane
Do not use the tampon "Rely." It has been banned in the U.S., but still sold in other countries. Linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is also explained in this very thorough book.
Avoid bath products with DEA (diethanolamine) in them. Also labeled as:
Cocamide DEA
Cocamide diethanolamine
Coconut oil diethanolamine
N, N-bis (dydroxy ethyl) coco amides
N, N-bis (hydroxy ethyl) coco fatty amides
I found this book to very eye opening. There are neat, short sections on how to approach or start a conversation about "things" with your doctor. What questions to ask, how to explain your symptoms in a way that will get the best diagnosis.
A must read for all women and young girls.
This is the book that should be given to girls at school after "the talk." I'm 47 years old and thought I knew all there was to know about the vaginal area. Boy was I WRONG.
I found this book to be very well laid out, easy to read, nice question and answer boxes placed periodically in sections. It was extremely informative and the back of the book contains a list of "Resources for Better Health" to include websites, email info, physical addresses and phone numbers.
I had know idea there were so many different pap exams available--some more thorough, but not all covered by most insurance companies. They are all listed here and include: "What it is" "How's it Done?" "Improved Accuracy" "Additional Costs." When is the best time for you to go in for your physical exam...things to avoid 24-hours prior to your exam...
There are chapters covering various infections (fungal and viral) that are detailed, indicating symptoms, cures, causes, etc. I don't think anything was left out: BV, Yeast (the differences), HIV, Hep-B, other non-sexually related bumps, rashes, cysts (Yes, you can get one here), etc.
I was shocked to read that as recently as 1992 the "Merck Manual" listed painful intercourse for women under "psychiatric disturbances." Painful intercourse now has a name, "vulvodynia" or "vulvar vestibulitis" and there are now various forms and treatments available.
Equally shocking, was to see a survey result from doctors that indicated they did not bring up infections they saw during a routine exam unless the patient asked them about it first. Go figure.
In order to receive the best possible health care, a person needs to be: cognizant, know what to say, how to say it--with specific symptoms. This book arms you for just that.
For women suffering from dryness there are vaginal lubricants...in the form of lubricated tampons that can help. Page 126
There is a large section on urinary tract infections (UTIs) and also covers men/women passing various infections to/from each other (orally, anally). Yep, it's covered here. If a man believes he can have anal sex with a condom and will remain clean, think again. Steps to take to prevent infection.
Did you know that if you use a toilet seat IMMEDIATELY AFTER someone that has genital warts, you can pick it up? There is no cure; only treatment.
Did you know you can get Hep B from manicures, tattoos and sex?
The author did an excellent job providing detailed symptoms, treatments (some over the counter (OTC), some naturally). I've always been baffled by the number of different OTC yeast infection medications available. The author explains them all. What they do. How they work. Why one may not work for you. Some treat multiple symptoms that may be related to the yeast infection. ** All yeast infections take 7 days to run its course, so using a 3-day (or 1) dose yeast treatment is a much stronger dose. Still requires 7 days to run its course.** Some OTC yeast treatments don't work for you. There are others that are still available via prescription only.
The importance of sleeping...bare. The vagina has to breath and if we subject the area to no air can lead to fungus, etc. Pantyhose, tight jeans, colored panties can cause problems. Staying in a damp bathing suit or damp workout clothes...problems.
Bath products! I had my mouth open through here. Using powders on the vaginal area has been linked to cancer! Even though--a few years ago--it was vehemently denied by the powers-that-be, i.e., manufacturers of those products. Studies now prove it can cause cancer.
Powders and talcs have been traced back to babies. Stop using them on the genital area no matter what age. Period.
Just because products are labeled "hypoallergenic" or "unscented" doesn't mean they are. Be careful. Manufacturers can alter a product (even slightly) or your body will change and suddenly a product you've always used is now an irritant.
The FDA gives a lot of leeway to businesses that produce female products to include dies used in making tampons and sanitary napkins white. Dyes that we know are harmful are often in these products. Specifically, a chemical called dioxin AKA: agent orange and can be found even in disposable diapers!
The book mentions New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney who has been introducing legislation called the "Tampon Health and Safety Research Act" into Congress for several years, but it continues to be shot down. The manufacturers of the major tampons and sanitary napkins used are policing themselves and cried no foul. Now they are saying...maybe, but we think we fixed it. The author presents some alternatives for sanitary napkins and tampons, but they were all too "ick" for me. Small cups to insert into the vagina during menstruation. (Nope.) Going back to the dark ages and washing our menstruating "cloths" like cloth diapers. (Ew, what a mess. Not a viable option.)
Silicone bath products. Yep, the same silicone that caused so many women with silicone breast implants health problems are in many bath products! Manufacturers hide the name silicone by using:
simethicone, dimethicone, trimethicone, disiloxane or terracyclosilooxane
Do not use the tampon "Rely." It has been banned in the U.S., but still sold in other countries. Linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is also explained in this very thorough book.
Avoid bath products with DEA (diethanolamine) in them. Also labeled as:
Cocamide DEA
Cocamide diethanolamine
Coconut oil diethanolamine
N, N-bis (dydroxy ethyl) coco amides
N, N-bis (hydroxy ethyl) coco fatty amides
I found this book to very eye opening. There are neat, short sections on how to approach or start a conversation about "things" with your doctor. What questions to ask, how to explain your symptoms in a way that will get the best diagnosis.
A must read for all women and young girls.
Displaying 1 of 1 review