Holly Madison, who lived with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner between 2001 and 2008, has written a tell-all book about her relationship with him and the Playboy brand.

The 35-year-old's memoir, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, promises to detail the dark underbelly of life as one of Hefner's multiple girlfriends in the controversial mansion.

"Life inside the notorious mansion wasn't a dream at all - and quickly became her nightmare," the book's promotional material, released by publisher Harper Collins, says.

"After losing her identity, her sense of self-worth, and her hope for the future, Holly found herself sitting alone in a bathtub contemplating suicide."

Madison first visited the Playboy Mansion in 2000, after receiving an invitation on the back of appearances in the Miss Hawaiian Tropic beauty pageant and her work for restaurant chain, Hooters.

After attending events at the mansion for more than a year, Madison, who was a student at the Jesuit-run Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, was invited to move in as one of Hefner's then seven live-in girlfriends.

She was promoted to be Hefner's "#1 Girl" in 2002.

From 2005 to 2009, Madison appeared with Hefner's other girlfriends at the time, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson, on E! reality television show, The Girls of the Playboy Mansion.

During the show's fifth season, Madison was shown expressing upset that Hefner would never marry her, or want to start a family.

She broke up with Hefner in October 2008, announcing the split in a video published on TMZ. Wilkinson and Marquardt left the mansion soon after.

Madison continued to work as a photo editor for Playboy until February 2009.

Her final separation from the company came in April 2009, when she had her Playboy bunny tattoo removed.

"I got it removed, because they stopped paying for the ad space," she joked with reporters at the time.

Madison went on to date illusionist Criss Angel and All Time Low band member Jack Barakat.

She is now married to millionaire electronic music and venue promoter Pasquale Rotella. The couple have a two-year-old daughter named Rainbow.

For help or information, call Lifeline, 131 114, or visit beyondblue.org.au.