Introduction

Introduction

Just Ask.

There are lots of books about women''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s health. But none like this one.

You can tell some of the things that make this book different just by looking ahead a few pages. There you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ll find practical, useful, down-to-earth advice from leading doctors and women''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s health experts. You''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ll discover that their tips are easy to follow. Their explanations are straightforward--free from medical jargon. Their advice is as specific as it can be (though, of course, how you take it is up to you).

Whether they''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''re suggesting how to prevent a yeast infection, how to treat muscle aches, how to fend off cramps or burn fat quickly, theirs are words to the wise. And that''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s good, because women are wise. We already know a lot about our bodies and how they work. We''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ve mastered the basics of being women.

But we also know that there have been some very significant breakthroughs in doctors'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' understanding of women''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s health in the past few years. We have many more personal health care choices from puberty right through and after menopause--choices such as whether we should take the Pill, how to best meet our calcium needs, the pluses and minuses of hormone replacement therapy, the surest form of breast exam--even which questions to ask our doctors.

Where do you find the answers? You can ask your doctor, of course--but does that doctor (male or female) really have time to answer all the questions you have? You can look things up in a medical encyclopedia--but those explanations of chemistry and anatomy don''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''t add up to the everyday advice you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''re probably seeking. And you can always ask your friends or female relatives--but are their solutions appropriate for you?

Be assured, you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''re not the only woman with these questions. Others share your concerns--and yes, even some of your doubts and confusion about what''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s best for you and what you should be doing to protect your health at this time in your life. With so many concerns in common, it only made sense for us to ask experts the thousands of questions you have--and then bring their answers together in one common place that we all can share.

This book is that place. So if there''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s something you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ve been wondering about your health, just ask. Chances are very good that you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ll find the answers here.

How did we go about getting those answers?

A team of dedicated researchers and writers spent thousands of hours interviewing women''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s health care experts and combing through the most recent research. We talked to hundreds of doctors, teachers, researchers, midwives, therapists, nutritionists and nurses. We asked each of them what you want to know about. Not you, personally, of course--but women like you, of many ages, married and single, older and younger, with children and without.

From all that research and all those interviews came the book you hold in your hands. It''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s an A-to-Z guide to the entire universe of a woman''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s body--with clearly explained, authoritative, up-to-date information on what you can do to prevent disease and what steps you can take to heal yourself.

Turn to the Contents or the Index, and you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ll quickly see that this is far more than an anatomy book. Yes, The Female Body: An Owner''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s Manual discusses every part of your body, but it also tells you what can go wrong and what you can do to prevent it from happening. You''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ll also find chapters with authoritative information, tips and advice about fertility, pregnancy, menopause, nutrition, weight loss, body toning and other topics that are critical to women''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s health care.

In addition, you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ll find some illustrated two-page sections that are devoted to the ten "systems" in your body. So, for instance, you can turn to "Muscular System" if you have aching muscles; "Endocrine System" if you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''re wondering about hormonal changes; "Circulatory System" if you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''re troubled with varicose veins. From there you''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''ll be guided to the chapter or the special box that helps answer your questions.

The Female Body: An Owner''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s Manual is more than a body book. It''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s a book that puts you in charge of your health.

Debora T. Yost

Vice-President and Editorial Director