That is the question Sharon Tierney was asked by clients time and time again while working as a Brazilian waxer.

The embarrassment and shame many women felt about their "lady gardens" prompted the Newcastle resident to write a book on the often-taboo topic.

The Vagina Buffet: Bite-size tales of Brazilian waxer takes a funny, empowering and personalised look at all those female issues that don't usually get brought up at the dinner table.

Recalling many of her own experiences in a light-hearted and relatable manner, Tierney offers insight into waxing and other more adventurous means of intimate decoration, as well as sex and relationships, conception, pregnancy, birth, surgery, women's health, puberty, menstruation and more.

The self-confessed "waxoholic" ditched her career in advertising and public relations about seven years ago, instead opening a beauty salon specialising in Brazilian waxing on the Gold Coast because she "really just wanted a decent wax".

In writing the offbeat book, Tierney said she hoped to let women around the globe know that there is no such thing as "normal".

And so far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"I've had women come up and hug me," she said.

"Women have said to me that the book has completely changed the way they look at themselves or transformed their relationships and sex lives.

"And ... men have said to me that they now understand their wives or are more confident in how to approach these issues with their daughters."

■ The Vagina Buffet by S.J. Tierney is available from MacLeans Booksellers at Hamilton, Book Hog at The Junction and amazon.com.