EP #1356: Women's Health Self-Care: Addressing Historical Mistreatment & What Parts Are Still Alive & Well Today

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SummaryIn the book 'In Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today,' Dr. Elizabeth Comen explores the historical mistreatment of women in medicine and its impact on women's health today. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the blaming and shaming of women's bodies, racial disparities in healthcare, the influence of beauty standards, the stigmatization of women's sexuality, and the problematic nature of plastic surgery. Dr. Comen emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and changing the narrative around women's healthcare. The book provides a comprehensive look at the legacy of misogyny in medicine and encourages readers to challenge and overcome these harmful beliefs.

Takeaways

• The historical mistreatment of women in medicine has had a lasting impact on women's health today.
• Women have been blamed and shamed for their bodies and have been subjected to harmful medical practices.
• Racial disparities in healthcare persist, with black women facing higher mortality rates for certain conditions.
• Society's beauty standards have influenced women's health, leading to harmful practices and unrealistic expectations.
• Self-advocacy and changing the narrative around women's healthcare are crucial for improving women's health outcomes.

Chapters00:00Introduction and Book Recommendation
01:04Apologizing and Women's Health
03:20Women's Health and Emotional Expression
04:26Historical Mistreatment of Women in Medicine
05:39Blaming and Shaming Women's Bodies
07:10Contagious Women and the Stigma of Disease
08:24Racial Disparities in Women's Healthcare
09:08The Influence of Beauty Standards on Women's Health
10:29The Stigmatization of Women's Sexuality
11:45Forced Incarceration and Treatment of Women
12:36The History of Women's Mental Health Treatment
13:20The Repair of Fistulas and the Exploitation of Slaves
14:42The Mistreatment of Women in Asylums
16:04The Problematic Nature of Plastic Surgery
18:01The Ridiculous Medical Beliefs of the Past
19:32The Fear of Women's Mobility and Exercise
20:31The Fear of Bulky Muscles in Women
21:56The Anemia of Good Looking Girls
23:15The Persistence of Harmful Beauty Standards
24:07The Importance of Self-Advocacy in Healthcare
25:27Empowering Women to Change the Narrative
26:31Where to Find the Book and Connect with the Author
27:39Conclusion and Thank You