It’s no secret that I love to read. When quarantine started, I hoarded books while other people were stocking up on toilet paper, and I finished all nine in the first month. Then Bob bought me a kindle because #thestruggleisreal and my obsession maaaaayyy have escalated even quicker than expected. (PS, the Libby App is a godsend! Free books straight to your kindle as long as you have a library card. Need I say more?)
My guilty pleasure reads are girly, rom-com dramas mixed in between murder mysteries. I’ve also recently started dabbling in more self-improvement books and love the fire they light in me. But this life-long learner cannot get enough of pages filled with tips, tricks, resources, and guides to all things pelvic floor wellness, and I have found some amazing books that have not only changed my health, but my patients’ as well.
Since it looks like we still have at least a few more weeks of quarantine left, I thought I’d share my top 6 books for pelvic floor health, in case you’re a reader like me and are looking for your next book to tackle. These cover EVERYTHING. Menstruation, menopause, pain with sex, incontinence, nutrition, and even male pelvic floor health because, why not? Bonus: they’re easy to read, actionable, and even entertaining. You do NOT have to be a pelvic floor PT to get something out of them.
V Book: A Doctor’s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health” by Elizabeth G. Stewart, M.D.
If you’re looking for a vagina dictionary, this is it. Seriously, there is nothing this book doesn’t cover. From how to pick a good gynecologist to self-treating yeast infections, vulvar care, sex talk, the things that can go wrong down there, and the lifespan of the vagina…literally everything you’d ever need to know. “The groundbreaking guide every women needs” is this book’s MO, and I couldn’t agree more.
Click here to snag your copy.
“Period Power: Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You” by Maise Hill
The title kind of speaks for itself, but let me tell you my take. I’m not silent about how amazing I think periods are and how they’re basically a woman’s fifth vital sign (and secret super power). Well, Maise Hill puts that idea into words that are nothing short of perfection. She’s an acupuncturist with a specialty in woman’s health, doula, and genius who not only explains why our periods are our secret weapon, but also tackles subjects like birth control, infertility, pregnancy, and menopause with the perfect mix of Eastern and Western medicine theories.
Click here to harness your period super powers!
“Me + My Menopausal Vagina: Living with Vaginal Atrophy” by Jane Lewis
Ok, this one is 239487209 times better than you’d think. I legit laughed and cried within the same page and then my mind was blown on the next. This was co-written by a mother and daughter duo who mix business and pleasure with talk about personal vagina struggles, serious strategies for hormone management, and a relationship that is nothing short of #goals. I don’t care what phase of life you’re in. If you have a vagina, this is a must read.
“Heal Pelvic Pain: The Proven Stretching, Strengthening, and Nutrition Program for Relieving Pain, Incontinence, I.B.S, and Other Symptoms Without Surgery” by Amy Stein, MPT
I may be a little biased, but any time a pelvic floor PT writes a book, I must snag it. Immediately. And Amy did not disappoint, so I will continue with this practice. What I like most about books written by physical therapists is that they’re often very actionable and give you things you can do at home to help yourself. The pages of this book are filled with detailed steps to help issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, endometriosis, and prolapse all with exercise, nutrition, and even at-home spa treatments. I’ve used some of these techniques on myself and my patients and they are truly helpful.
Click here to read the book I wish I wrote.
“Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats” by Sally Fallon
This one is a little different than my previous recommendations because it’s not directly about pelvic floor health, but indirectly, it’s ALL about pelvic floor health. I preach that nutrition is so important to a well and functioning body, and our bladder, rectum, hormones, and pelvic floor muscles all fit in that category. There are a MILLION books about nutrition out there, but this one takes the cake for me. It’s an oldie but goodie that starts with the importance of whole foods, breaking down macro- and micro-nutrients in a completely readable way, then has hundreds of pages of recipes that are easy and tasty (both musts in my kitchen). There’s also a baby/kids version that’s already on my “someday” baby registry list. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense guide to eating that isn’t just another fad diet, this is a must in your cart.
Click here to get the blueprint to truly eating to your health.
“The Penis Book: A Doctor’s Complete Guide to the Penis–From Size to Function and Everything in Between” by Dr. Aaron Spitz
I know that this is a space for the girls, but ladies! There is nothing wrong with understanding how the penis functions. In fact. I tend to find it’s really helpful for truly “getting” the guys in our lives, because we all know that they’re actually the complicated ones. Anywayyyy…Dr. Spitz covers it all in an educational yet engaging way that both men and women can appreciate. Erections, masturbation, piercings, and kegels…he even makes a few shout-outs to pelvic floor PTs! I tell most of my male patients to buy this book and they come back so thankful for the recommendation. So even if you’re not interested, this could be a great gift for the guy in your life.
Click here to brush up on your penis knowledge.
There you have it! My top 6 books for pelvic floor health- the books on my shelves that have a little more wear than the rest and more pages dog-eared than not. I’m not one for the dry text books (I had enough of that in PT school), so you can trust me when I say that each of these reads has the promise of entertainment mixed in with information that we honestly all need to be current on.
AND…because half of my bookshelf is giving me the “what about me?” feels, here’s a couple honorable mentions that don’t make my “top 6 list”, but are DEFINITELY worth the read:
“The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina: Separating the Myth from the Medicine” by Dr. Jen Gunter
“Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life” by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D
“Reviving Your Sex Life After Childbirth: Your Guide to Pain-free and Pleasurable Sex After the Baby” by Kathe Wallace, DPT
Happy reading!
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.
