The Vagina Bible Buchzusammenfassung - das Wichtigste aus The Vagina Bible

Einleitung anhören

00:00

Zusammenfassung von The Vagina Bible

Name: The Vagina Bible
Rating: 4.2 (48 reviews)
Author: Jennifer Gunter

Jennifer Gunter

The Vulva and the Vagina: Separating the Myth from the Medicine

4.2 (48 Bewertungen)

26 Min.

Themen

Weibliche Gesundheit & Mutterschaft Selbstfürsorge Der Körper

Inhaltsübersicht

The Vagina Bible
in 8 Kernaussagen verstehen

Audio & Text in der Blinkist App

Kernaussage 1 von 8

What’s in it for me? Get to know your vagina and take charge of your health.

For most of medical history, vaginas have been neglected. That’s because in most societies, until very recently, it was considered inappropriate for a man to touch a woman’s genitals outside of marriage. And since medicine was mostly practiced by men, the information that doctors had on vaginas and vulvas largely came from anecdotes that midwives and their wives told them.

Even when sexual morality loosened, medical knowledge about women’s bodies was slow to progress. In a male-dominated society, there was little interest in female experience, sexuality or pain. In the 1930s, most doctors still believed that vaginas were filled with dangerous bacteria. No wonder that even today there’s plenty of pseudoscience, misleading information and shame when it comes to vulvas and vaginas. Moreover, many companies now actively profit from this fog of disinformation by marketing dubious vaginal health and hygiene products to women.

The best way to not fall for the vagina lies cooked up by the patriarchy and “Big Feminine Hygiene,” is to arm yourself with facts. The Vagina Bible is your evidence-based guide to the science of vulvas and vaginas, collected and explained by an ob-gyn with over 20 years’ experience. Empower yourself with knowledge and take control of your body, health and sexuality!

In these blinks, you will get to know

the bacteria that keep your vagina healthy;
the complex process that guides your menstrual cycle; and
the best ways to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

The vulva is what’s on the outside, the vagina is what’s on the inside, and the clitoris extends through both.

If you know a bit about vaginas already, then you probably know that “vagina” is only part of the story. First of all, having a vagina doesn’t make you a woman, and not every woman has one. In the United States alone, there are over a million transgender individuals who don’t identify with the sex they were assigned at birth on the basis of their genitals.

Secondly, “vagina” technically only refers to the inner part of these genitalia. The outside part, meaning everything that touches the clothes, is the vulva.

The vagina is a tube of muscles that connects the vulva to the cervix. It’s lined with a specialized lubricated skin called mucosa. Mucosa cells are filled with a sugar that feeds the good bacteria in the vagina, most notably the lactobacilli. Lactobacilli make lactic acid, which keeps the vaginal pH at a healthy 3.5 to 4.5. The discharge that most women regularly find in their underwear is a mix of lactobacilli, dead mucosa cells and small amounts of fluid that enter the vagina through the bloodstream – and it’s totally normal.

Under the mucosa lies vaginal smooth muscle, which allows the vagina to stretch when penetrated or when pushing out a baby. Then there are the pelvic floor muscles, which wrap around the vagina and vaginal opening. They help with continence and stability and contract when you have an orgasm.

The vulva consists of the mons, which is the fatty pad beneath your pubic bone; the inner and outer labia, which surround the vaginal opening; and the clitoris. The fat and pubic hair of the mons and the outer labia majora protect the vaginal opening, while the inner labia minora are hairless and more sensitive. They can vary greatly in shape or size, ranging from 1 to 5 cm or more.

All parts of the vulva are erectile, meaning they fill with blood and enlarge when you’re aroused. The clitoris, however, is the only structure in the human body made exclusively for sexual pleasure.

The clitoris is much larger than meets the eye. It’s shaped like a Y, but with four arms instead of two. The tip of the Y is the only visible part – that’s the little button protected by the clitoral hood near the top of the vulva. The clitoral root connects that button to the crura, the outside arms of Y that run beneath the labia majora, and the clitoral bulbs, the inside arms that connect to the vagina and the urethra.

Now that you’ve learned about all the different parts of your vagina and how they are connected, let’s take a look at how you can best take care of them.

There is no medical reason to clean your vulva, and your vagina shouldn’t be cleaned at all.

What’s your vagina routine?

This might sound like a silly question, but there is an ever-growing market for soaps, wipes and creams for your vulva and vagina. Companies make millions of dollars with products that promise to make genitals better, cleaner and healthier. But from a medical standpoint, there is no reason to soap, wipe or cream your vagina at all – it’s a self-cleaning oven! In fact, too much cleaning can be very harmful.

Orgasms are caused by clitoral stimulation, and a penis is not the most reliable way to achieve one.

Having sex is one of the most fun things you can do with a vagina, and the more you and your partner know about how your vagina works, the more fun you’ll have.

When you’re sexually aroused, blood flow to your vulva and vagina increases. The mons, labia and clitoris become enlarged and extra-sensitive. If they’re stimulated in the right way for the right amount of time, you might have an orgasm.

Your period is the result of a complex interaction between your brain and your ovaries.

Menstruation is the shedding of the uterus’ lining that happens when you didn’t get pregnant during your last menstrual cycle. The whole process is carefully timed and orchestrated by your brain and ovaries.

At the beginning of your cycle, your brain and pituitary gland release hormones as part of a chain reaction that tells your ovaries to start developing eggs. The developing eggs produce estrogen, which makes your uterus’ lining thicken. When estrogen levels are high enough, the pituitary gland releases another hormone to trigger ovulation and send the eggs down your fallopian tubes to the uterus. The tissue left behind in the ovaries produces progesterone, a hormone that stabilizes the uterus’ lining to give the eggs a chance to be fertilized, but it can do so for only 14 days. When progesterone levels drop again, it causes the uterus lining to fall off. This is when you start bleeding. Your first day of blood is already the first day of your new cycle.

Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause will change your vulva and vagina.

Your body ages and changes, and so do your vagina and vulva. Nevertheless, many women are shocked at the things that happen to their bodies during such big events as childbirth or menopause. As a society, we are rather silent about these uncomfortable issues.

When you’re pregnant, changes to your vulva, vagina and cervix will happen as early as four weeks after conception. Blood flow to your vagina increases, your hormones change and your sex drive might plummet. For unknown reasons, yeast infections are more common during pregnancy. Between 10 and 30 percent of women also get infected with a type of vaginal bacteria called group B streptococci. Because these bacteria can harm your baby, healthcare providers perform a routine test for streptococci in the third trimester and treat with antibiotics if necessary.

STIs such as HPV, herpes and chlamydia are more common than you think and can be treated and prevented.

Almost every woman who is sexually active will get an STI at least once in her lifetime. It’s nothing to be ashamed of! Many STIs are easily treatable. If they go untreated, though, they can cause infertility and cancer and increase the risk of contracting HIV. That’s why regular STI screenings, especially for young people, are important. In most countries, your local health department can help you get tested cheaply and anonymously.

The most common STI in the world is human papilloma virus, or HPV. Over 80 percent of women get it in their lifetime. In fact, if you’ve ever had sex, you’ve most certainly come in contact with HPV. Most HPV types are symptomless, but some can cause genital warts and even cervical cancer, which is why you should get tested regularly.

Though yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are the most common vaginal conditions, they are often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.

A yeast infection is probably the most common complaint for people with a vagina.

Yeast is a type of single-cell organism, and quite a few yeast species live on your body without ever causing harm. In fact, a bit of vaginal yeast is normal. But when yeast overgrows, it can cause redness, itching and pain, which we then call a yeast infection. The causes for such overgrowth are unclear, but a weak vaginal microbiome, immune system issues and low levels of iron are all possible candidates.

You can keep your vagina healthy with regular screenings, talking to your doctor and doing informed online research.

Though they don’t need a lot of cleaning, vaginas do need some care.

If you’re sexually active, regular STI testing is a must. Annual screenings for cervical cancer are also a good idea, as it’s the fourth most common cancer in women of reproductive age. If you notice symptoms such as itching, burning and pain, you should always see a doctor – even when you think you know your diagnosis! Remember, up to 70 percent of women who self-diagnose a yeast infection actually have something completely different.

Du möchtest die gesamte Zusammenfassung von The Vagina Bible sehen?

Kernaussagen in The Vagina Bible

Mehr Wissen in weniger Zeit

Sachbücher auf den Punkt gebracht

Kernaussagen aus Sachbüchern in ca. 15 Minuten pro Titel lesen & anhören mit den „Blinks”

Zeitsparende Empfehlungen

Titel, die dein Leben bereichern, passend zu deinen Interessen und Zielen

Podcasts in Kurzform ^Neu

Kernaussagen wichtiger Podcasts im Kurzformat mit den neuen „Shortcasts”

Worum geht es in The Vagina Bible?

The Vagina Bible (2019) is your comprehensive guide to everything to do with vaginas, vulvas and women’s health. Navigating the sea of online myths, advertising promises and sexist misinformation, gynecologist Jen Gunter is here to help you separate fact from fiction. From basic anatomy to proper maintenance, pregnancy, menstruation, STIs and more, The Vagina Bible will teach you not only what your vagina can do for you, but also what you can do for your vagina.

Bestes Zitat aus The Vagina Bible

All pleasure roads lead to the clitoris.

—Jennifer Gunter

Wer The Vagina Bible lesen sollte

People with a vagina
People who spend time with people with vaginas

Über den Autor

Jennifer Gunter is a Canadian-American obstetrician-gynecologist and author who specializes in women's health and pain conditions of the vulva, vagina and cervix. She is passionate about fighting the myths and misconceptions surrounding women’s bodies and writes columns and blog posts to debunk them with real science.

Kategorien mit The Vagina Bible

Gesundheit & Ernährung

Ähnlich wie The Vagina Bible

The Menopause Manifesto

Jen Gunter

Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism

Your No-nonsense Guide to ‘Down There’ Healthcare

18 min

4.0

The Love Prescription

John Gottman & Julie Schwartz Gottman

Seven Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy

Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You

The Thinking Man’s Guide to Pleasuring a Woman

A Breakthrough Understanding of How Men and Boys Think

19 min

4.5

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Mark Manson

A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

22 min

4.3

Happy Mind, Happy Life

Rangan Chatterjee

The New Science of Mental Well-Being

18 min

4.5

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

Julie Smith

Everyday Tools for Life’s Ups & Downs

19 min

4.2

Magnificent Sex

Peggy J. Kleinplatz and A. Dana Ménard

Lessons from Extraordinary Lovers

Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life

21 min

4.5

The Man's Guide to Women

John Gottman

Scientifically Proven Secrets from the "Love Lab" About What Women Really Want

18 min

4.2

How to Think Like a Philosopher

Peter Cave

Scholars, Dreamers and Sages Who Can Teach Us How to Live

18 min

4.3

How to Think More About Sex

Alain de Botton

Sage sex advice from a philosophical polymath

37 min

4.2

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Daniel Kahneman

Intuition or deliberation? Where you can (and can't) trust your brain

A Medical Lifeline for the Aging Male

Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN

An Uncomfortable Book About Relationships

An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

The Truth About the Drugs You’re Taking, the Sleep You’re Missing, the Sex You’re Not Having, and What’s Really Making You Crazy

19 min

4.0

The Power of the Pussy

Kara King

How to Get What You Want from Men: Love, Respect, Commitment and More!

A Journey Into the Science of Mind Over Body

25 min

4.5

Search Inside Yourself

Chade-Meng Tan

The Unexpected Path to Achieving Success, Happiness (and World Peace)

The Science of Creating Heaven on Earth

20 min

2.9

Emotional Intelligence

A Research Based Program for Strength Training, Body Building, and Complete Fitness in 12 Minutes a Week

An uncommon guide to rapid fat-loss, incredible sex and becoming superhuman

19 min

3.3

The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex

Sheila Wray Gregoire

Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot

16 min

3.7

The Art of Communicating

Thich Nhat Hanh

The fascination of mindfulness in our daily lives

15 min

4.5

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)

Philippa Perry

Sound parenting advice based on psychology

19 min

4.5

The Molecule of More

Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long

How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race

26 min

4.7

No More Mr. Nice Guy!

Robert A. Glover

A Proven Plan for Getting what You Want in Love, Sex, and Life

How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism

23 min

4.2

12 Months to $1 Million

Ryan Daniel Moran

How to Pick a Winning Product, Build a Real Business, and Become a Seven-Figure Entrepreneur

A landmark work in the field of biology and evolution

Smaller Habits, Bigger Results

Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.

22 min

4.5

Excellent Advice for Living

Kevin Kelly

Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier

13 min

4.2

The Mind-Gut Connection

Emeran Mayer

How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health

15 min

4.5

The Art of Manifesting

Carolyn Boyes

Tap into the power of the universe to live your best life

The Science and Practice of Presence

20 min

4.5

The Making of a Manager

Julie Zhuo

What to Do When Everyone Looks to You

17 min

4.2

Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer

Patrick C. Walsh

From Diagnosis & Treatment to Managing Advanced Stages of Cancer

18 min

4.6

The All-or-Nothing Marriage

Eli J. Finkel

How the Best Marriages Work

Face Not-Good-Enough to Replace Your Doubts, Achieve Your Goals, and Unlock Your Success

Train Your Subconscious to Grow Mentally and Materially

10 min

4.0

Flow

Elissa Stein and Susan Kim

The Cultural Story of Menstruation

The Remarkable Truth of How a Small Change Can Help You Stress Less and Enjoy Life More

24 min

4.3

❤️ für Blinkist️️️

Ines S.

Ich bin begeistert. Ich liebe Bücher aber durch zwei kleine Kinder komme ich einfach nicht zum Lesen. Und ja, viele Bücher haben viel bla bla und die Quintessenz ist eigentlich ein Bruchteil.

Genau dafür ist Blinkist total genial! Es wird auf das Wesentliche reduziert, die Blinks sind gut verständlich, gut zusammengefasst und auch hörbar! Das ist super. 80 Euro für ein ganzes Jahr klingt viel, aber dafür unbegrenzt Zugriff auf 3000 Bücher. Und dieses Wissen und die Zeitersparnis ist unbezahlbar.

Ekaterina S.

Extrem empfehlenswert. Statt sinnlos im Facebook zu scrollen höre ich jetzt täglich zwischen 3-4 "Bücher". Bei manchen wird schnelle klar, dass der Kauf unnötig ist, da schon das wichtigste zusammen gefasst wurde..bei anderen macht es Lust doch das Buch selbständig zu lesen. Wirklich toll

Nils S.

Einer der besten, bequemsten und sinnvollsten Apps die auf ein Handy gehören. Jeden morgen 15-20 Minuten für die eigene Weiterbildung/Entwicklung oder Wissen.

Julia P.

Viele tolle Bücher, auf deren Kernaussagen reduziert- präzise und ansprechend zusammengefasst. Endlich habe ich das Gefühl, Zeit für Bücher zu finden, für die ich sonst keine Zeit habe.