They called it a “pocketbook.” Yes, this is the word my mother and grandmother used to refer to my vagina when I was a little girl. I’m not exactly sure what a British purse and my vagina had in common but “pocketbook” was the word I too used for years, even after my mom had taught me all about sex and the medical terms for all my lady parts.

Nowadays, though, it really bothers me that society is so uncomfortable with the word “vagina.” I know grown men with wives and children who won’t say it. But most important, my fear is that this uneasiness with the word “vagina” and serious discussions about female sexual and reproductive organs could keep women from getting the information they need to have a healthy vagina and mind-blowing sex.

So this week for my Write Out Loud column in Velocity Weekly I interviewed Dr. Katharine O'Connell, an assistant clinical professor of OB/GYN at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and a blogger for dailybedpost.com. We chatted about vaginal health issues and how to have better sex. She gave me so much great information I had to save some for my Velocity Weekly blog.

Check out the column and the blog post and tell me what you think. I also want to know your thoughts on the V-word. Mothers, are you teaching your daughters the word “vagina” at an early age or waiting until later. Despite my ranting, I must admit that it might be a little unsettling to hear a 5-year-old say “vagina.” But does that just make me part of the problem? Ladies, do any of you have trouble using the word “vagina” or are you uneasy getting the information you need from your gynecologist to make sure you have a healthy and happy vagina?