Greetings, Pinkies! Today we are beyond thrilled to publish the full introduction of Lissa's book What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend in anticipation of the book's launch on September 28 (more info below). Enjoy!

Introduction: Let's Talk About Coochies and Boobs

Brrrrringgggg….The phone rings. Caller ID says it’s Chloe. I pick up.

All I hear are giggles. Then a snort, followed by a cackle.

“Chloe?” I say.

Chloe snorts again.  I shake my head and smile.

I hear someone yell, “Don’t say vagina so loud!”

They’ve done this before. Chloe and Piper are in Manhattan celebrating some girl time away from the kids, obviously talking about sex over a few cocktails. Whenever they think up questions about their girl parts, they call me. They are my best friends, and I am a gynecologist. 

OMG. You’ve got to be kidding. I just heard about a magazine ad that’s got me steaming mad. Check out this full page Summer’s Eve ad in Woman’s Day magazine. The title: “Confidence at Work: How to Ask For a Raise.” The very first suggestion in the eight tips on how to ask for a raise?

I’m a hair stylist, and in the past month, I’ve noticed by the end of my work day, I have a heavy “pulling” sensation down there. Plus, I’ve noticed a bulge of tissue when I go to the bathroom, which seems to get worse the longer I’m on my feet. I confided in a friend, and she said it sounds like uterine prolapse. She said that her sister had one, too, but that she just had it “taken care of” with a hysterectomy. Is that really my only option?

Imagine this. You’re standing in front of 2,400 women. You lean over so you’re talking deep and low right into the mic and you say, “Vagina. Vagina. Say it with me now -- Vagina” and 2,400 women scream “VAGINA!” You talk about “front bottoms” and “wee wees” and you give people permission to name their parts and to own what it means to be female. You talk about the fabulous U by Kotex campaign that pokes fun at feminine hygiene ads that completely ignore the fact that tampons are about periods -- and vaginas -- and encourages women to get real, to own it, and to tell it like it really is. By the time you lead the chorus in a resounding “VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA,” estrogen is swirling all around and your mission is accomplished.