I never would have picked this up had a friend not raved about it! She told me if you are a person with a vagina, you need this book. In an accessible, friendly style, Gunter shares essential information that women too often do not know, leaving readers feeling informed, empowered, and equipped to discuss any concerns with their physician. Highly recommended.

I loved this book so much that not only did I buy me a copy but I made sure that my girls had a copy for themselves. Dr. Jen is very straight forward and to the point when it comes to womens health. I wish I could find a female doctor like her where I live.

My delight in the particular brazenness of Jen Gunter, M.D., began in 2017, with her first essay, "My Vagina Is Terrific, Your Opinion About It Is Not." “It started with a post on my blog about why you shouldn’t put Vicks VapoRub in your vagina,” Gunter says. “I wrote about how I once was with someone who liked to shame my body. You know how it goes: If only my hair was straight, if only my legs were thinner, if only I dressed differently, I would be the perfect person for him.”

She felt like “a walking uterus.” So she changed. Straightened her hair. Lost some weight. “Obviously it was emotionally abusive,” she says. “Then he made a comment about the smell of my vagina, and I was like, Wait a minute, I’m the actual expert here. He could shame me about my body, but he couldn’t shame me about my professional knowledge.” She broke up with him, ultimately writing about her experience in the hopes of helping other women.

That’s when the trolls came for her. “Literally the dudes came out of the woodwork. The comments were like, ‘All the men had a meeting, and we all said you have a stinky vagina.’ Honest to God. Then I got mad,” she says.

Just like that, a revolution was born: a column in the New York Times, a Twitter following over 200,000 strong, a new show called Jensplaining out later this month, and her first book, The Vagina Bible, which debuts today.

“You can’t be empowered with inaccurate information.”

At a time when American states are passing new laws to remove a woman’s right to have a say about her own body, thank goodness for Gunter, the ob-gyn who has emerged to lead a rational counter argument for women’s health. Her argument is simple (and apparently radical): A woman is the rightful master of her own domain. “Since the beginning of time, women’s bodies have been weaponized against us. Almost every culture, every society has this history—and some still do—of saying women’s bodies are dirty and toxic, and that menstrual blood is filthy. It’s an effective weapon,” she says. “There’s something really visceral about it—it makes you feel like there’s something wrong with you. This messaging has been around for so long, and the fact is we’ve had, until very recently, few women in science pushing back.”

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Gunter is pushing back—hard. The Vagina Bible is part vagina myth buster, part feminist rallying cry, and all Gunter. “My mission is informed choice. I truly want every woman to be empowered about her body and the decisions she makes about her body—you can’t be empowered with inaccurate information,” she says. Recently someone sent her a link to an Instagram post on why you should steam your vagina, claiming the GOOP-approved trend could “tighten” it. “If you decide to steam your vagina based on that, then you’ve made an uninformed choice,” she says. “If, however, you understand that its harmful, there is zero health benefit, that it’s actually a derivative of a patriarchal idea—people used to believe the uterus wandered the body, I’m not kidding you, and that if you put fragrant herbs between your legs, the stupid uterus would come down to the nice smell like a sheep—if you understand all of that and decide you still want to steam your body, well, then that’s your choice.”

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Vagina Facts Every Woman Should Know


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We talked about why knowing your body leads to better sex, how normal is different for every woman, and why women are suddenly so obsessed with discharge.

The Vagina Bible.
The Vagina Bible
Glamour: Do you think the pattern of gaslighting women about their bodies is changing?

Jen Gunter: I think it’s slowly changing. I’ve been thinking a lot about when I went to medical school in the ’80s, how I never met a female surgeon. As women we could not act like ourselves, we had to act how the men expected us to act, and that’s not that long ago. I’ve seen more of a change in the last 5 to 10 years. When I was 18 or 19, I thought, By the time I’m 50, the patriarchy will be over, and everything will be equal. I was a teenager in the era when you could bring home the bacon and fry it up too. Which is a crock of bullshit because that means you’re going to do all the work, and no one is going to help you. I’ve been in that situation, and let me tell you, sister, isn’t that the greatest tool of the patriarchy, to make women think that that’s liberation? Doing all the fucking work?

As women, we’re always too something. As you wrote, “too wet, too loose, too gross.” How is it that our bodies cannot just exist?
Yes, and men’s bodies are always fine, right? Dudes are perfect. It’s this idea that a woman is shameful if she’s not partnered with a man. It’s like she’s a walking womb needing to reproduce. That’s how society in general makes women feel. If you don’t have a dude, there’s something wrong with you. There are obviously other pressures as well, but I think that’s why a lot of women are vulnerable to these horrible comments from men about their intimate places.


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What are the most common distortions you see? Where do they come from?
People come in to see me thinking there is supposed to be this norm in women’s bodies, and there is not. Right now women seem to be really questioning their vaginal discharge. I did not notice this 20 years ago, women really, really, really worrying about it as a health barometer. Obviously, every part of your body is a health barometer, but they aren’t coming in worrying about their nose running. They’re coming in with fears about normal, healthy vaginas. I don’t know if this fear was there 20 years ago, and because nobody said the word vagina in public, women were just less likely to come and talk about it, or if this is an extension of all of the imagery that we see of naked female bodies online.

You look at these tiny undergarments and bathing suits, and maybe like only 5% of women could fit their labia into that? So if you can’t fit into it, you are going to think that maybe there is something wrong with your labia. Or if your pubic hair is sticking out, you’re going to think maybe something is wrong with your pubic hair. We’re showing images of not only impossibly thin people, but also with these body parts that are almost prepubertal—they don’t have any hair, they’re tiny, they’re tucked away. You might think that is “normal” as opposed to just one part of the spectrum. We expect that bodies can appear in all sizes and shapes, and so we should expect that genitals can appear in all sizes and shapes.

What makes women think their bodies aren’t working well?I get women who come in and the source of their distress is that they can’t possibly have any blood ever in their vagina because it grosses their (male) partner out. He’s going to freak out if he sees blood. I’m like, Then he should not be partnering with a person who has a uterus, end of discussion. If you are afraid of a couple of drops of blood, you should not be with a woman.

Sex is supposed to be messy. People fart. People burp. There are secretions everywhere. Why is his wet spot glorious, but if you have a few drops of blood, it’s a problem? There isn’t anything special about semen, it’s just a body fluid.

What’s the best thing that’s happened since you have emerged as an advocate for women’s bodies?
Honestly, the best thing is when I get a message from a woman on Facebook or a DM on Twitter when they say, “Thank you so much for writing that piece. It allowed me to advocate with my partner or talk with my doctor. I feel like you wrote that piece just for me.”

Worst?
Men keep breaking up with me. They’re worried that I’m going to be too famous to have time to spend with them. It’s kind of sucky to be at that point, because I like being with someone, I like to laugh, I like having a regular sex partner.


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Let’s talk about the book. Why is it important for every woman to know how her vagina works?
Because the patriarchy is invested in her not knowing, and also so she can be healthy and not worry. In medicine, it’s often hard to get the right answer. Sometimes because the science isn’t accurate, and sometimes because it’s hard to talk about. Then when you add sex or especially women’s bodies, you have this other layer of misinformation. At this time when wellness is being very predatory about women’s health, it’s important for women to have information about how their body works so women know when someone is telling them a lie.

The hard part was trying to figure out what I had thought to be true, was that true or not? There are so many things in medicine where you’re taught it, but then you wonder where that came from. Sometimes I would spend days trying to track down the original source and find out some dude said it in a textbook in 1950, and we’ve all believed it ever since. Or there are papers that have been constantly misquoted or I'd read a review and find out that’s not what the source article said. Myths perpetuate in medicine as well.

The Vagina Bible, $13 at Amazon.com

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Amy Reardon is at work on a novel. Follow her @ReardonAmy.

I am so happy to have this book on my shelf! It is filled with so much knowledge and so many facts I didn't know. As a female, I feel like I should have known much of what this book lays out but every chapter I learned something new. I couldn't believe how much I didn't know about my own body. I love how Dr. Gunter lays out myths, too, and makes sure you're armed with as much information that is available. It's one I know I will be referring back to for years to come.
I highly recommend this for everyone, no matter your gender.

A comprehensive and thorough look at a piece of anatomy that half of the popular has. Highly recommended for anyone who has one and even those who don't might find it informative.

The Vagina Bible has all the details on anything and everything you'd ever want to know about your vagina. (Or any vagina, I guess.)  There are a lot of myths that are dispelled and it is written by an OBGYN so you know that the author knows her stuff! At the end of each chapter there's a nice little recap so you can make sure you're following all the important parts.  I actually learned a lot reading this and I always prefer to read books like this since I can be shy or embarrassed to ask questions.  (Although I will when absolutely necessary!) 

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

I enjoyed this informative book. I wish that more people gave straight forward information without judgement, particularly about women's health.

The Book to End All Books on Female Health: The Vagina Bible by Dr. Jennifer Gunter
I wish I'd had this book to hand when I was younger. I recall desperately looking for advice on cystitis as a young newly wed. Well cystitis is covered here as are periods, fertility, the menopause, SDTs, hygiene, waxing, anatomical descriptions, practical advice, all dealt with frankly and openly from a feminist viewpoint, this book has it all on the things you always wanted to know about being a woman but could never quite pluck up the courage to ask that rather brusque male GP. And yes, there is even counsel for our trans sisters and brothers.

If you're a woman, get this book. If you're a guy looking for a useful gift for the woman in your life, even your mum, you could hardly give them something more useful or detailed.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This book Is fabulous. Every woman should read this. Hell, every man should too!!

If you have a vagina or love somebody who does, then this book is for you. This book has everything...okay, now I sound like Stefon from SNL, but seriously this is a really handy book with lots of info that I honestly either did not ever think about or had always low key wondered about. Because of this book, I have even made some adjustments to my personal regimen. The author is an OB GYN with years of experience as both a woman and a doctor (okay, I'm still trying to be funny here). She does give medically sound advice based on best practices and science and debunks many old wives tales and homeopathic remedies. The author is also highly personable and shares her own tips in a woman-to-woman style. I recommend this book for women of all ages, from teens who want to know what to expect from their first pap smear to those of us well seasoned gals who are experiencing "the change of life". The author is also very open in her advocacy of the empowerment of women and relates how understanding one's own body can help to foster such empowerment. I do think she may go just a smidge far in her ideas about patriarchy keeping us ladies down, but she's not entirely wrong either. My only minor complaints with this book is that some of the information gets to be a little repetitive and I wish there was a chapter devoted to menopause. Otherwise, I truly do recommend this title wholeheartedly.

The Vagina Bible by Jennifer Gunter is an amazing read. I've gone through tons of medical reading, and have never found a better combination of scientific information and easy reading. This is a wonderful combination of scientific fact and anecdotes. I particularly love how Jennifer Gunter summarizes the important information from each chapter into a bullet point list. I highly recommend this book for ANYONE with a vagina.

Jennifer Gunter has written an empowering, approachable, useful, and inclusive manual for all things vagina and vulva. The book has compiled the latest research into chapters divided by health-related topics, which range from menstruation, menopause, STIs, trans health, hygiene, and much more. It's hefty in length but easy to read.

A few things that surprised me:
*How much that has not been researched in regards to women's health. Gunter is forthcoming about the gaps in the research, and provides straightforward advice on when this is dangerous (e.g. with specific products marketed to women) or okay to move forward with at your discretion.

*The information regarding "Big Natural". In a society that's edging toward words like "natural", "clean", "plant-based" etc., it was genuinely interesting to learn how most of these are marketing terms that are aimed at attracting a specific type of customer and not based on actual research.

*How much I didn't know about something so central to being a woman. Parts of the book are more relevant than others, but I can see this book as a useful manual to keep around for reference or as a starting point for further research.

Can we please mass purchase this book for every junior high school, high school, and college health class? Because this would save everyone so much time and effort and needless suffering. (Not to mention all the stupid money you spend on feminine snake oil.) It's amazing how little women are actually taught about a rather important part of their bodies and how it's all surrounded in mystery and metaphor because heaven forbid we mention anything adjacent to sex in school, even it's vital to health. A straightforward book like this that addresses almost every topic I could think of (and then some) is a great reference and education tool.

Must read for all the ladies out there! Very clear, concise, and helpful book. It is good for all stages of a woman's life.

As someone working in reproductive justice and a huge fan of her Twitter, I was stoked to get an ARC of Dr. Hunter’s book!! I’ve since purchased the physical book as well, to have on hand for practical reasons.

I’d say The Vagina Bible is a must-own for anyone with a vagina, or for anyone who has an interest in learning more about the workings of the vagina! Jen Gunter is a smart, funny, and passionate gynecologist who is known for working against misinformation and hokum when it comes to the vagina. Taking on Gwyneth Paltrow and GOOP, vaginal steaming, jade eggs, and misinformation about abortion on Twitter, that energy is represented in The Vagina Bible, and the book is an excellent resource for all things gynecological!

Hoping to get at least a few copies of this book for our office!!

The owners manual that didn’t come with your vagina! Clear, concise, low drama, and devoid of fads, this book is a must for any human with a vagina.

This was kind of an impulse request on Netgalley. As someone who worked in a hospital for seven years, I am always curious about medical texts written for the average, non-medical person. As a woman, I don’t think I can ever be too educated about my own reproductive system. Although I’d never heard of Dr. Gunter before, I liked the synopsis of this book.

Reading it turned out to be a very good decision. This book covers pretty much everything you could ever want to know about vaginas and reproductive health. It’s written in a very easy-to-read, engaging way. Although some of the chapters could be pretty terrifying (I could have lived my whole life without knowing that it’s possible to tear the rectum open during childbirth and without knowing that the cervix can literally fall out through the vagina), they were definitely educational.

Probably the best thing about this book is the constant debunking of myths about vaginal health, feminine cleaning products, and STDs. Dr. Gunter takes a no-nonsense approach to everything from Goop’s jade egg to self-diagnosing various conditions.

The only negative thing I can really say about this book is that it could be very repetitive. Dr. Gunter addresses different pieces of the same conditions pretty frequently, so there can be some overlap. All in all, though, this is a great reference for pretty much anyone and I’m glad I took the time to read it.

The Vagina Bible takes an in depth look at everything, well, vagina related. From periods, to menopause, to sex positivity, the book is helpful for women of all ages and stages of their life.

God, I wish I had this book when I was younger. This book is a must read for anyone with a vagina or anyone that interacts with vaginas on a regular basis.

Dr. Gunter does an incredible job of addressing the myths and the dangerous misunderstandings surrounding vaginal health in the world today and explains how that misinformation is being used as a weapon against individuals with vaginas.

Literally every topic I can think of is talked about in this book. I LEARNED SO MUCH. It’s wild to think about how much I didn’t know about my own body. And I know I’m not alone in that. It’s completely unacceptable.

I wish I could give this to all of my friends so they can have it on their shelves

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this through NetGalley.

I feel like I have seen this book mentioned repeatedly in social media, and even mentioned on a few podcasts I listen to. All reviews have been glowing, so, naturally, I was curious.

As stated at the beginning of the book, it could be used as a reference, or read straight through. I opted to read the book in its entirety, because, why not? The book is well organized and lends itself easily to reference material (just search via chapter title). The first section is an overview of female anatomy, followed by logical sections on everything from birth control to "what if i experience problem 'x"?"

The author narrates the book in a very fluid, casual manner, much like a conversation you would have with a doctor that you are comfortable talking to. It's a very easy to read style.

I think this book is great for anyone that: (a) knows nothing about vaginas; (b) has a specific embarrassing question; (c) is curious to learn a little more about female anatomy and issues/"features." It's a very pro-woman, take control of a situation on your terms type of book, which is a nice change of pace.

The bad: this is a high level book. It does go into details about different issues one might experience as a female, but it doesn't go into many details. Each chapter is neat, tidy, succinct. If you are reading to learn a lot, you will be looking elsewhere. Think of this as a springboard of information to get to the meat of what you are really asking. There are a few gems in here, but you are only going to consider them such if you are reading this book as reference text, not straight through.