Thorsons
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
First published by Thorsons 2019
FIRST EDITION
© Dr Anita Mitra 2019
Illustrations © Nicolette Caven 2019
Cover layout design © Ellie Game 2019
A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library
Dr Anita Mitra asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
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Source ISBN: 978-0-00-830517-8
Ebook Edition © March 2019 ISBN: 978-0-00-830518-5
Version 2019-02-21
For Menelaos, Achini and my mum
Contents
Introduction: Down-there healthcare by the Gynae Geek
Chapter 1: External female genital anatomy
Chapter 2: Internal female genital anatomy
Chapter 3: Periods – the basics
Chapter 4: Irregular and absent periods
Chapter 5: Heavy periods and other period-related frustrations
PART THREE: Sexual Health and Screening
Chapter 6: Vaginal discharge
Chapter 7: Contraception
Chapter 8: Emergency contraception and termination of pregnancy
Chapter 9: Sexually transmitted infections
Chapter 10: Cervical screening and HPV vaccination
PART FOUR: Fertility and Getting Pregnant
Chapter 11: When you are thinking about trying to conceive
Chapter 12: Fertility and egg freezing
PART FIVE: Lifestyle and Women’s Health
Chapter 13: Stress
Chapter 14: Food
Chapter 15: Exercise
Chapter 16: Sleep
Final thoughts
Resources
Notes
Index of Searchable Terms
About the Publisher
It is such an honour to write something for the whole world to see. But I couldn’t have done it without the support of some incredible human beings who deserve huge thanks.
To Dr Rupy Aujla, my brother from another mother, for being the one who forced me to put myself out there to talk about something I believe the world needs to know.
To Dr Laura Thomas, for taking a chance on The Gynae Geek and inviting me on her podcast to discuss vaginas before that was a ‘cool’ thing to do.
To Dr Hazel Wallace and Alice Liveing, who both gave me a massive leg-up by collaborating with me on their social-media channels and giving me valuable advice about how to survive in the online world.
To Carly Cook, for her sass and support throughout the book-writing process and for hydrating me with many a mint tea. To the wonderful HarperCollins team – Carolyn Thorne, who saw the potential in my idea, George Atsiaris, Josie Turner and Julie McBrayne, who brought the campaign to life – thank you all!
To Adam Willis, my strength coach, but most of all my friend, for always being a voice of reason.
To my best friend, Achini Wanasinghe, and my mum, who listen to my moaning on a daily basis and support me no matter what. And all my other friends who have put up with being ignored for the time that I’ve spent writing the book.
To both of my parents for giving me the education that enabled me to be in the position to write this book.
To all the patients and my social-media followers who shared their stories and asked the questions that inspired it.
And finally, to Menelaos Tzafetas, aka ‘Mr Gynae Geek’, for