April 23, 2024
EP #1356: Women's Health Self-Care: Addressing Historical Mistreatment & What Parts Are Still Alive & Well Today
Health Power: The OG Health Podcast & Dog-Eared PodcastAbout this episode
Send us a text 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