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apiffanygb's review against another edition
5.0
Yes yes and yes! I listened to this on Audible (so it took me much longer than I knew it would if I read it). I needed to read this. I needed validation and understanding and Lara did it in just the way I needed.
booksandqui's review against another edition
2.0
I was really hoping to learn more about endometriosis and how people generally are able to get the help they need. While the book highlighted how little research has been done on such a common illness, the writing of the book was so repetitive. I felt like I want reading the same chapters over again which made me question of there was even an editor on this book (there was). I feel like I learned a bit but it felt like a diary, which didn’t appeal to me.
danifrancoreads's review against another edition
5.0
A refreshingly REAL read. It feels like you’re having coffee with your BFF. Talking about some really heavy things in a raw and so relatable way makes having these conversations feel lighter, and less invasive. It’s validating in the most rejuvenating of ways.
tallystocks's review against another edition
3.0
this book chronicles a worthy and underrepresented issue, women’s gynecological health. i felt torn, as i so badly wanted to love this book...while i think it’s a necessary publication for so many women who feel isolated, alone and confused (due to the dramatic lack of education all of us receive) by their chronic pain, i had to stop reading after about 75 pages.
parker is a talented writer, however, the book felt redundant and focused on her individual experience. i felt it missed the mark on being a memoir as well as a social commentary.
parker is a talented writer, however, the book felt redundant and focused on her individual experience. i felt it missed the mark on being a memoir as well as a social commentary.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. Just WOW! This easily just went straight to the top of my favorite memoirs about living with a disability. In the author's case she suffers from chronic pain related to various reproductive conditions including endometriosis, vulvodynia and vaginismus.
I hadn't even HEARD of some of these conditions and to learn that over 200 million people worldwide (approx. 10% of the population) are affected by them was mind-blowing. What's worse is how little is understood about reproductive conditions and just how long people can go before getting diagnosed (on average 7 years)!
This was by far one (if not THE) best book about living with chronic pain I've ever read. Listening to the author describe her daily and often constant pain that has no relief and can strike any time and any where was horrifying and while I have a chronic illness, it is no where near as debilitating as what the author goes through daily with little to no relief.
The book covers a number of important topics from difficulties to get diagnosed, the disrespect and dismissal many doctors give to people who complain of reproductive problems, trying to work with chronic pain and trying to find love and be in a relationship when penetrative sex can be excruciating, (if not impossible).
Highly enlightening, and in my opinion a MUST READ! Great on audio read by the author. There were so many passages I highlighted and related to, particularly the way that chronic conditions can take a toll on people's mental health and relationships!
Favorites quotes included:
"It is exhausting in every sense of the word to try to find a way to make peace with the knowledge that your own body will rebel against you over and over again and there is essentially nothing you can do about it."
"Living with chronic pain is not just being in pain, it's being forced to alter your life in a million different ways that other people don't have to. All while trying to find the mental capacity to be okay with this."
"As a person with chronic illness I constantly feel like a burden and therefore am often too ashamed to truly ask for what I need out of my friendships. It somehow feels easier to be angry or upset at friends than to humble myself to ask for help."
I hadn't even HEARD of some of these conditions and to learn that over 200 million people worldwide (approx. 10% of the population) are affected by them was mind-blowing. What's worse is how little is understood about reproductive conditions and just how long people can go before getting diagnosed (on average 7 years)!
This was by far one (if not THE) best book about living with chronic pain I've ever read. Listening to the author describe her daily and often constant pain that has no relief and can strike any time and any where was horrifying and while I have a chronic illness, it is no where near as debilitating as what the author goes through daily with little to no relief.
The book covers a number of important topics from difficulties to get diagnosed, the disrespect and dismissal many doctors give to people who complain of reproductive problems, trying to work with chronic pain and trying to find love and be in a relationship when penetrative sex can be excruciating, (if not impossible).
Highly enlightening, and in my opinion a MUST READ! Great on audio read by the author. There were so many passages I highlighted and related to, particularly the way that chronic conditions can take a toll on people's mental health and relationships!
Favorites quotes included:
"It is exhausting in every sense of the word to try to find a way to make peace with the knowledge that your own body will rebel against you over and over again and there is essentially nothing you can do about it."
"Living with chronic pain is not just being in pain, it's being forced to alter your life in a million different ways that other people don't have to. All while trying to find the mental capacity to be okay with this."
"As a person with chronic illness I constantly feel like a burden and therefore am often too ashamed to truly ask for what I need out of my friendships. It somehow feels easier to be angry or upset at friends than to humble myself to ask for help."
carlaah1984's review against another edition
Having endo myself I was more looking for ideas versus a memoir. Might be helpful is starting endo journey or someone in your life has it but wasn’t what I needed.
stephlo's review against another edition
4.0
Someone else commented that the book reads like a blog post, which I agree with AND considered a strength for the points Parker is trying to get across. It’s not meant to be very scientific; it’s completely an emotional memoir-like portrayal of Parker’s individual experience.
It is very repetitive at times and thus could have been shorter, but honestly, I wouldn’t have changed too too much of it because I think the repetition helps to reinforce the nature of her chronic illness and what she deals with all.the.time. This book definitely focused on the chronic illness aspect of her struggles, which is not why I read the book BUT was much needed for me. I think ableism is so incredibly deeply ingrained in our society, especially because of the wide variety of things people go through (visible vs “invisible,” mental vs physical, all the different needs that come with it, etc.) making it more difficult to conceptualize without experience in specific areas and this book definitely helped me start to fathom what the life of someone with chronic illness looks like because of how informally personal and detailed it was.
Aside from the chronic illness aspect, I thought she did a nice job tackling societal ideas of sex and the taboo that comes with these topics, as well as the struggles of the healthcare system for people with many of her issues and many, many more. (And the impact your physical health has on your mental health.) Many themes she discussed were broadly applicable to many situations outside chronic illness and vagina problems, which is a sign that some pretty legit life lessons were present throughout.
Not exactly a literary piece, but I think really important content for anyone to read across gender, ability, vagina problems or not. She openly acknowledged all of the privilege she has in tackling her vagina problems (white woman, flexible job, supportive network, financially stable, safe access to CBD, etc.) which makes all of it wayyy more terrifying thinking of how many people struggle with these issues and don’t have those societal assets. I was really in shock reading her stories and imagine many others would be too, considering the taboo nature of these topics, making a read like this all the more important.
It is very repetitive at times and thus could have been shorter, but honestly, I wouldn’t have changed too too much of it because I think the repetition helps to reinforce the nature of her chronic illness and what she deals with all.the.time. This book definitely focused on the chronic illness aspect of her struggles, which is not why I read the book BUT was much needed for me. I think ableism is so incredibly deeply ingrained in our society, especially because of the wide variety of things people go through (visible vs “invisible,” mental vs physical, all the different needs that come with it, etc.) making it more difficult to conceptualize without experience in specific areas and this book definitely helped me start to fathom what the life of someone with chronic illness looks like because of how informally personal and detailed it was.
Aside from the chronic illness aspect, I thought she did a nice job tackling societal ideas of sex and the taboo that comes with these topics, as well as the struggles of the healthcare system for people with many of her issues and many, many more. (And the impact your physical health has on your mental health.) Many themes she discussed were broadly applicable to many situations outside chronic illness and vagina problems, which is a sign that some pretty legit life lessons were present throughout.
Not exactly a literary piece, but I think really important content for anyone to read across gender, ability, vagina problems or not. She openly acknowledged all of the privilege she has in tackling her vagina problems (white woman, flexible job, supportive network, financially stable, safe access to CBD, etc.) which makes all of it wayyy more terrifying thinking of how many people struggle with these issues and don’t have those societal assets. I was really in shock reading her stories and imagine many others would be too, considering the taboo nature of these topics, making a read like this all the more important.
embermusic's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
5.0
This is an important book about the experiences of the author, Lara Parker, and her nearly lifelong challenges with her chronic illnesses—including but not limited to endometriosis and PCOS—that she groups together as “vagina problems.” The book is about her experiences, but it is also structured by topic, and not in the typical memoir format that’s chronological. It makes the read repetitive at times, but it almost feels like a textbook where you could read only certain chapters without reading the entire thing (a chapter about physical pain and doctors differs from a chapter about navigating relationships, for example).
I believe it’s an important read for anyone pursuing a career in the medical field. One of Lara’s complaints that she makes throughout the book is that doctors didn’t believe her about her pain for *years,* and she was diagnosed with several of her illnesses after they had been present for a long time with no treatment. Another thing that’s important to understand is the relationship between mental and physical health. Lara talks about being depressed because of her chronic illnesses where her pain will make her pass out, and also struggling to be in a relationship as someone who can’t have penis-in-vagina sex and as a person with chronic pain.
Is it well edited? I don’t believe so, but I don’t think it matters for this particular book. Lara makes her points crystal clear regardless. I hope more people read this book.
I believe it’s an important read for anyone pursuing a career in the medical field. One of Lara’s complaints that she makes throughout the book is that doctors didn’t believe her about her pain for *years,* and she was diagnosed with several of her illnesses after they had been present for a long time with no treatment. Another thing that’s important to understand is the relationship between mental and physical health. Lara talks about being depressed because of her chronic illnesses where her pain will make her pass out, and also struggling to be in a relationship as someone who can’t have penis-in-vagina sex and as a person with chronic pain.
Is it well edited? I don’t believe so, but I don’t think it matters for this particular book. Lara makes her points crystal clear regardless. I hope more people read this book.
annkwed's review against another edition
4.0
Living with endometriosis this book is a big hug and confirmation of my own experiences and feelings. There were several parts of the book that I have marked for future reference and for showing friends and family, Lara has a way of expressing thoughts in a very comprehensible way.
There is a lot of references concerning the US healthcare system (obviously since Lara is american) so my point of view is a bit different living in Sweden. I hope the states will improve their Endometriosis care.
The only downside with the book according to me was that there is a lot of repeating stories and passages that made the book a bit slow and repetitive.
There is a lot of references concerning the US healthcare system (obviously since Lara is american) so my point of view is a bit different living in Sweden. I hope the states will improve their Endometriosis care.
The only downside with the book according to me was that there is a lot of repeating stories and passages that made the book a bit slow and repetitive.
presentedbyjo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
i have never once felt so seen and heard