As a educator who as spent twenty-four years in a classroom, and another fifteen years as a School Library Media Specialist, I have encountered many young women who suffered from painful periods, chronic pain, and a lack of understanding from the medical community. One of my students was told at the age of sixteen that she needed to think about having a hysterectomy to relieve her pain and symptoms. Another student had to stop attending school and finish her school work online to be able to graduate because she was in too much pain to attend classes. Can you imagine having to make such a life-altering decision at such a young age?

Vagina Problems by Lara Parker brings to light the issues that women with chronic pain experience every single day of their lives. When the topic of endometriosis comes up in general conversation with those involved in the medical community, I am amazed at the lack of information that is in medical textbooks and within the medical community. This book addresses the lack of knowledge that the medical community has about this disease and other diseases that affect women. The lack of knowledge is terrifying.

While I read this book, I kept thinking how we as a society have really failed not only young women, but all women in general. I am thankful that the author has the bravery to put herself out there so others can see they are not alone in their pain and isolation. The book really addresses the fears, isolation, and depression that so often occurs with those who suffer from chronic pain.

While the book discusses a serious crack in our medical system and society, there are still some light moments, and most importantly, the book offers hope for those in need. In essence, any young woman who suffers from chronic pain, medical professionals, and really, the general public could benefit from reading the author’s story. Even if one doesn’t suffer from chronic pain, it is very important that we as a society learn how to help those around us who do. We all could all stand a good dose of empathy.

Lara Parker basically said every thought that a woman with chronic illness feels on a regular basis. I have Endometriosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, neuropathy, migraines and a few other issues and the pain can be unbelievable. Lara describes her vagina problems with unwavering realness. She divulged the many ways in which vagina problems interfere and consume her days and nights and all aspects of her life. Lara describes the struggle and fight that many chronic pain sufferers face with their doctors and actually getting them to acknowledge that the pain exists to begin with and is not a Fabrication of imagination. Thank you Lara for sharing your story. Many thanks to you for advocating and raising awareness of vagina problems. Hugs 💜

The aptly titled Vagina Problems is Lara’s story of resiliency, self-advocacy and education for the masses. As readers we are given a front row seat to what felt like raw and traumatic experiences at the hands of doctors that weren’t willing or able (through their own fault) to help her and wrote her off as a “hypochondriac”. Lara has well... Vagina Problems as she refers to them but I’m sure the one your heard is endometriosis. One in ten women have this disease, thank you Lara for that statistic, but it is still not spoken about openly. As Lara points out, men can have their viagra pills and other medical needs for their penises well known, spoken about and paid for but women living with this condition it can take up to 7 years for an accurate diagnosis.

What I appreciated the most was the way that Lara told the story. Her voice was seeping off the pages as though she was in front of my telling the stories. She doesn’t sugar coat her feelings or experiences which is amazing. I am not someone who suffers from this disease but I can see how this book would be comforting if I did. It allows others suffering from Vagina Problems to not feel alone or ashamed as it seems Lara had been made to feel for years.

As a fellow sufferer of Vagina Problems, I want to give this book to everyone I know. I had to put the book down a few times and just marvel at its truthfulness. This book resonates and moves and educates and heals. A five star must read.

This book is very informative but delivered in a funny, relatable, and sarcastic tone that is easy to read.
The author spends a lot of the book guiding the reader through her experiences advocating for her health, which especially as a woman, and furthermore as a woman suffering from a taboo/misunderstood chronic illness, is not always easy, but is always important. She trusts her instincts that something is not right, even when she's made to feel dramatic and crazy.

Women's health, specifically about "vagina problems" need to be less taboo and more out in the open. Like one reviewer said, half of the population has a vagina!

More needs to be written on these topics so that those suffering with varying levels of pain from endometriosis or other lesser known medical conditions have somewhere to turn for strength and guidance. I learned a lot from this book that I did not know, terms i've never even heard of.

This book was super helpful and informative. Who knew there was so much I didn't know on this topic!! It was a very interesting read