What's Up Down There?

Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend

“Lissa Rankin is a sassy, brilliant, articulate, funny, fun, loving genius. She gets inside the body and soul of every woman, speaks straight from the heart, educating each of us about the privilege of being a woman.”

Regena Thomashauer
author of Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts

“What's Up Down There is just what every woman needs: a gynecologist girlfriend who answers the kinds of questions that women are still afraid to ask. And she does so with a unique brand of cheeky, girlfriend, hip warmth that tickles me pink.”

Christiane Northrup, MD
New York Times bestselling author of
Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom

“Imagine sitting next to a warm, charming, funny gynecologist on a seven-hour flight where they're handing out free cocktails. Reading What's Up Down There is that sort of experience: delightful, giddy, memorable and illuminating. What a wonderful book.”

Mary Roach
New York Times bestselling author of
Stiff and Bonk

“Lissa Rankin transitions from doctor to BFF without missing a beat, tackling even our most embarrassing questions with the utmost candor and without a speck of judgment. She rips off the flimsy paper sheet we've used to cover any unfounded shame or confusion we've experienced for being female.”

Jory Des Jardins
Co-founder of BlogHer.com

“Yes, I know What's Up Down There is written for women, but I read it cover to cover, with the kind of ghoulish fascination most men have when contemplating the mysteries of the female body. And it delivered, providing answers to the kinds of questions every guy I know has wondered about, but wouldn't dare ask the women in our lives.”

Armin Brott
New York Times bestselling author of
The Expectant Father

“Dr. Lissa Rankin has written a courageous book, providing information about topics that few others are willing to tackle. And when she doesn’t know the answer, she says so, giving us all the more reason to trust the answers she does give. What’s Up Down There dispels myths while reminding us of the beauty and mystery of our girl-bodies.”

Diana Daffner
author of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples

What's Up Down There? Blog

What’s Up Down There? The TWEEN Years

Lissa Rankin, May 11, 2011

what's up down there tween

I’ve been fielding questions from tweens and their mothers as part of a corporate spokesperson role with UbyKotex, and for those of you with tween girls, I thought I’d share what has come up!

I am getting pimples, crying for no reason A LOT, have hair under my arms and started discharging last summer, my body is ready but my period hasn't come, is there a timetable?

Lissa Rankin's blog

How Long Are Normal Labia? Part 1 of Dr. Lissa Rankin’s Love Your Labia Series

Lissa Rankin, January 5, 2011

labia size

When I was writing my book What’s Up Down There? and while I’ve been on the road with my Ask The Girlfriend Gyno book tour, one question comes up over-- and over--and over, in various forms.

Why do my inner lips hang lower than my outer lips?

Why are my labia so long?

How come my labia don’t look like the ones in Playboy?

Why do my lips look like Dumbo’s ears?

Why are some women’s inner lips tucked up neatly inside and mine aren’t?

Let me just say once and for all that if you’re one of those women (or men) who are wondering why some women have short lips tucked up inside and some women have long lips that hang out, EITHER WAY, YOU’RE NORMAL AND YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!

Going To The Spa? Steam Your Vagina: An OB/GYN’s Thoughts on Vaginal Steam Baths

Lissa Rankin, January 5, 2011

Vaginal Spa

You gotta love us Californians. We’re always so ahead of the curve when it comes to things like fashion. And environmentalism. And vaginal steam baths.

Yeah. You heard me. I said Vaginal Steam Baths.

VBAC at Home: Courageous or Crazy?

Lissa Rankin, December 19, 2010

What's Up Down There? Awakening Sexuality

Lissa Rankin, November 18, 2010

Happy Friday, Pinkies! This video is from a recent speaking engagement I did on my fall book tour to promote What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend. My favorite part of these events is taking questions from the audience -- check out the clip below where I answer some awesome questions about embracing femininity and sexuality in healthy and empowering ways.

This blog, and the book on which it is based, is a complement to - not a substitute for - professional advice and intervention, and is not intended to replace the advice of a gynecologist or medical professional, who should be consulted about any health care issues that may affect the individual reader. The information contained in this book is the product of observations made by the author in her practice, as well as her review of relevant literature in her field of expertise. The literature at times reflects conflicting opinions and conclusions. The views expressed herein are the personal views of the author and are not intended to reflect the views of any group or organization with whom the author is affiliated.