Have you had lunch with your vagina lately?
Getting the DL on some boss women’s reproductive resources…
I’m a little testy with this post and I’ll share with you why: It’s been a bit of a challenge finding quality information on women’s menstrual and sexual health. Period. (Pun intended). Definitely strides have been made in the quality of material made available last ten plus years, but I really wish up-to-date, accurate information on women’s health was ubiquitous rather than limited. If it were, I wouldn’t feel the urgent need to read and write about the materials I’ve had to find to learn more about my body that has helped me to have a clearer in-depth understanding of my body, and how much the menstrual cycle impacts my whole system. It’s actually pretty incredible. Our bodies do some crazy awesome sh*t.
As you well know, women’s bodies are beautiful, strong…and complex. Complex to the point, frankly, of a mystery sometimes. Let’s remember that women were left out of scienfic research…until quite recently because of the belief women’s bodies were ‘too complicated’ to be part of trials. I suppose there’s truth in that idea as women ride the hormonal roller coaster every month for nearly a demi-century…and do it in heels, babes in arms, a career, and whatever else comes our way.
Anyone relate? I quite appreciate the complexity and intricacty of our amazing physiology.
I think we need to acknowledge and own that hormones are very powerful chemicals that have far-reaching impacts with both sexes. Hormones are the chemical messengers that have a profound impact on the development and processes of the body. Current research is continuing to affirm how collectively complex women’s systems are, and how the complex cocktail impact all internal systems.
I cannot tell you how many women I’ve spoken with felt unheard and ‘“on their own” to figure out and manage any hormonal or gynological concerns in the health care system. Remember here, hormones impact entire organs and systems, including growth, development, emotional regulation, metabolism & fertility. That said, not having a clear understanding of the complex interconnections with the body to accurately understand what’s definitively going on with our bodies can be confusing, isolating, and frustrating.
As I see it, here’s the bottom line: a genetic women’s biological system is more complex than a man’s. Women are the life makers. We deserve to clearly understand what’s going on in our bodies during all parts of our life journey. Investment in research for our health and longevity needs to be a priority.
One can start by learning more about what to expect throughout the different stages of your reproductive health, and learn how to pay attention to various indicators of your reproductive health, as it often is an indicator of our physical health.
I would love to see a cultural change that empowers women to love and understand their bodies better, be curious, and get the care they need to ensure they can optimize their health during both regular and transitional periods of their life as problem-free and positive as possible.
My contribution here today is to create a curated list of reliable, contemporary, and balanced reading list of books on women’s' physical, reproductive, and sexual health. Here is my list of eight books to choose from, depending on what stage of life you are currently experiencing.
If you’ve got a book that you think would be a good add to the list, please let me know!
Happy reading & get to know your lady bits and bobs even better!
RECOMMENDED READING:
(1) The Vagina Bible, by Dr. Jen Gunter, M.D.
Get to know your reproductive engine! this is an in-depth contemporary write on all things vulva and vagina by a female gynocologist, including debunking many myths and misunderstandings about our reproductive hardware. Every woman should have this book on their shelf; I wish I had a book like this in my 20s. It goes through everything.
(**More info on author’s CBC presence at the end of the article).
(2) Period Power, by Maisie Hill
Get to know and understand your menses and how to ‘read’ your cycle for optimum health. Get comfy with your menses; understand your body and how to support it; also informative in different diagnostics of menses issues.Our body is wise in giving us information on our health via our periods.
(3) Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism, by Dr. Jen Gunter, M.D.
This is a recommendation to all women hitting the forty mark. Learn what’s down the road and how to understand and surf the waves like a pro. Also, this book tells you what social/cultural bullcrap to toss in the can. You are a boss!
(4) Come As You Are, by Emily Nagoski, Ph. D
A beautiful book that clearly and thoughtfully explains the latest understanding of the female orgasm and recent research on individual sexuality and sex drive. Lots of learning here.
Wicked read on female sexuality and a big myth debunker of enculturated beliefs of the last century using latest current research.
(5) Seeing Red, by Kirsten Karchmer
This book is on all things menstrual. Karchmer, a women’s health expert, focuses on the importance of having a healthy menstrual cycle. This is a data-driven handbook to help improve your reproductive health and debunk all the myths women have been told about their cycle. Many period issues are totally correctable and reflective of overall health and fertility.
(6) The Better Half: On the Genetic Superiority of Women, by Sharon Moalem, M.D., Ph. D.
This book is awesome. It describes in great scientific detail how genetic women are biologically built more robust and resilient for survival and adaptability in contrast to to their male counterparts—take that antiquated patriarchy! It’s a pretty badass and enlightening book. Seriously. It blew my mind. Our bodies are pretty damn rad.
(7) Perimenopause Power, by Maisie Hill
Written by the same author as Period Power. Again, a thoughtful and holistic approach to learning & understanding the body, as well as and navigating the hormonal changes & physiological impacts in the years leading up to menopause.
(8) The Wisdom of Menopause, by Christiane Northrup, M.D.
This book is more of a self-care and holistic philosophical approach on how to approach & adapt to the physical and emotional changes that unfold during the changes that lead up to and follow menopause. I like how this book offers a different perspective and self-nurturing approach to menopause.
Dr. Northrup focuses on physical and emotional health and self-care while riding the meno waves.
As mentioned above, Dr. Jen Gunter is a Canadian gynocologist, who has a plethora of CBC clips from her series, “Jensplaining”, on women’s health questions and myth debunking….here’s a little taste below.
My favourite quote, “ Your vagina is a self-cleaning oven.”
Jensplaining is available on CBC Gem, and there are shorter clips, like the one below, available on YouTube. Happy watching!
