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 if your best friend was a gynecologist and you could talk candidly about every question you’ve ever had about gynecology, sex, and women’s health, all while drinking a glass of wine and sharing a good laugh? My girlfriends actually get to indulge in that kind of intimacy, asking me all the things they would never ask their doctors. Most...

What's Up Down There? Blog

What's Itchy Down There?

Lissa Rankin, September 2, 2010

Greetings, Pinkies! We are thrilled to jump into our countdown to the launch of Dr. Lissa Rankin's book What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend that will hit shelves THIS MONTH - September 28 (preorder here)! We're going to start featuring questions here from Lissa's medical blog, based on the book. If you have a question you'd like Dr. Lissa Rankin to answer in her blog, please join the What's Up Down There posse in our Owning Pink community, and be sure to check the book tour page and Team Pink headquarters for all the deets on Lissa's upcoming travels...

Q: I’m 49 years old and every month, I’m itchy, red and sore down there for a few days after my period. Why?

Want a Raise? Wash Your Vagina

Lissa Rankin, August 29, 2010

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?

Dr. Lissa Rankin Is Going On A Book Tour!

Lissa Rankin, August 27, 2010

Lissa Waving Goodbye Out Car Window

Uterine Prolapse

Lissa Rankin, August 26, 2010

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?

Am I Going Through Early Menopause?

Lissa Rankin, August 19, 2010

Dr. Lissa Rankin's medical blog is based on her upcoming book What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, which you can preorder here. If you have a question you'd like Dr. Lissa Rankin to answer in her blog, please join the What's Up Down There posse in our Owning Pink community, or contact us.

I’m 37 years old, and over the past seven months, my periods have stopped. I’m also suffering from mood swings. I’m healthy otherwise and of average weight. My doctor recently ruled out polycystic ovaries, and she said I could just go on the Pill to “regulate” my cycle and my moods. But I’d really like to just get to the root of the problem, especially because I may still want to have a baby. Can you help?

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.

What's Up Posse Forum

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On Sun, Aug 15 - 12:09 PM

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Early Maturing

On Fri, Aug 13 - 8:33 PM

When I graduated high school in the mid-80s, I weighed 98 pounds & had the...