Welcome friend! Today, the most comprehensive book I have ever read on female reproductive health is out so it has to be this month’s Non-Fiction Feature. Browsing for upcoming releases some months back led me to It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health by Karen Tang. Here is the synopsis:
Karen Tang | Goodreads
An inclusive and essential guide to reproductive health—including period problems, pelvic pain, menopause, fertility, sexual health, vaginal and urinary conditions, and overall wellbeing―from leading expert Dr. Karen Tang
Reproductive healthcare, from abortion to gender-affirming care, is under siege. The onus continues to fall on patients to find and advocate for the care they need. Dr. Karen Tang is on a mission to transform how women engage with their bodies and their healthcare.
Did you know that one in three women experiences menstrual abnormalities or pelvic issues, yet these conditions are overwhelmingly misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed? The root causes for these issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and pelvic-floor muscle dysfunction, don’t receive the stream of funding for research and new treatments that other conditions do, despite the potential to affect up to half the population.
It’s Not Hysteria is a comprehensive guide to common conditions and potential treatment options, with practical tools such as symptom prompts and sample questions to ask one’s provider. In the face of uncertainty and misinformation, It’s Not Hysteria is destined to become a new classic that educates and empowers.
Empowering Reproductive Health: A Review of It’s Not Hysteria
It’s Not Hysteria is an informative book about reproductive health written by Karen Tang, MD, MPH, a board-certified gynecologist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon who is an internationally recognized leader in reproductive health. The goal of the book is to offer guidance to anyone with female reproductive parts on how to notice and explain their problems to a doctor, providing the language to talk about the symptoms and what the condition may be.
Structure of the Book
The first part of the book looks into the history of the medical profession related to female conditions, challenging the diagnosis of ‘hysteria’. It also explains the various parts of the reproductive system as well as organs closely related to, whether in proximity or effect, to this system. This section ends with a list of questions to reflect on before seeing a doctor. I appreciated this list and also the reminder that appointments are generally short and coming to them with a clear idea of the issues whose resolution one is seeking in an effective way to get immediate help. Tang also encourages people to keep a journal of their symptoms and foods consumed.
The second part of the book looks into various conditions with symptoms, detailed options for diagnosis, risks for developing the condition and family history. Racial disparities are mentioned for each though most stats are available for white and black women. There is a summary “Take Home Points” at the end of each chapter. Outdated theories are pointed out and debunked while those that need more research are also highlighted.
I have never read so much about my body and the variety of conditions, symptoms and solutions that exist. Fibroids, Endometriosis, PCOS, cis, prolapse, urinary leakage, sexual dysfunction, PMS, PMDD, menopause and perimenopause, infertility, miscarriage, cancer… All of these are explored in detail in this book. Tang is not afraid of increasing awareness and I found the chapter on sexual expression and gender identity thought-provoking. It’s Not Hysteria succeeds in fostering inclusivity and addressing diverse reproductive health experiences. I loved the questionnaires provided at the end of many chapters to assess oneself and figure out if we need to seek medical help as well as how to approach talking to a specialist. Additionally, there are discussions on vitamin D deficiency, nutrition, exercise, and stress relief.
The final part of the book looks at the solutions to the issues explored in previous chapters. I did not know how birth control is often used for a number of treatments. There was also information about fertility tracking as contraception. Tang emphasizes getting to know the pros and cons before committing to a method, providing common language between patients and doctor as well as key medical definitions.
Notes on Content
It’s Not Hysteria is a phenomenal book. I have never read anything as up-to-date or holistic about the female reproductive system and the organs that surround it. I am the kind of person who hates being taken by surprise and wants to know things in advance about what I might be getting into. Tang shares details about medical procedures, including what to expect at a gynecologist appointment. If you find medical details uncomfortable, be aware that details will be provided. Topics like sterilization absorption and infertility are also addressed considering the landscape in the United States political views may also be challenged.
Under all this is the intent to provide essential information for informed decision-making. I have never felt so empowered.
The Reflection
Tang offers valuable advice on how to speak to professionals and questions to ask them for the numerous conditions covered in this book. By giving me this knowledge, she has convinced me to be an advocate for myself and my healthcare needs. Doctors may know more but they do not know my personal experience and sometimes I’m going to have to ask for the service I deserve, which may mean getting a second opinion.
There’s a lot of information in this book and it is important to highlight the emotional states I went through. I experienced everything in between overwhelm at how much can happen to empowerment to approach my wellness from a place of knowing. I thought back to when I got my birth control prescription many years ago and how its risks and alternatives were not explained to me. Thankfully, it didn’t cause me any problems but reading how health practitioners should have approached it has changed my perspective.
I’m so glad that I read It’s Not Hysteria. I will forever be consulting it and singing its praise to all my family and friends. Like many non-fiction books I have found related to female health, updated editions are published as new breakthroughs happen in research. I can’t wait to see how this book expands in the coming years.
I readIt’s Not Hysteria in audio and Tang does a phenomenal job of presenting information in a compassionate and relatable manner. Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the audiobook.
Would you pick up It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health? Add it on Goodreads.
Wonderful review!! Adding it to my list