Posts Tagged Women’s Health

The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick

“Listen to women. Trust us when we say we’re sick.”

Long-time Feministing readers might have noticed that my byline hasn’t been on the site as much in the last couple years. That’s because I’ve been at work writing my first book, Doing Harm, about how sexism in medicine is harming women, which is out today. 

Long-time Feministing readers might have noticed that my byline hasn’t been on the site as much in the last couple years. That’s because I’ve been at work writing my first book, Doing Harm, about ...

Jen Brea's head on pillow with electrodes

Watch: The powerful new documentary on living with chronic fatigue syndrome

Jen Brea was a 28-year-old grad student when her health began to deteriorate after a high fever. As she suffered from recurrent infections, profound dizziness that left her unable to stand, and eventually terrifying neurological symptoms, doctors told her that she was stressed, or just dehydrated, and finally that a repressed trauma was the source of all her ailments. 

Jen Brea was a 28-year-old grad student when her health began to deteriorate after a high fever. As she suffered from recurrent infections, profound dizziness that left her unable to stand, and eventually terrifying neurological symptoms, doctors told ...

Chart of the Day: States with the most abortion restrictions are the worst on women’s and children’s health

I doubt any readers of Feministing have bought into the pseudo-feminist anti-choice rhetoric claiming that abortion restrictions are simply about “protecting women” and “patient safety.” After all, it’s obvious that preventing access to abortion is itself damaging–leading to everything from poorer health to a greater risk of domestic violence to, oh I dunno, getting thrown in jail.

But in case you needed more evidence that the politicians who are so deeply worried about dangers posed to women by the width of the doorways in abortion clinics don’t give two shits about women’s and children’s health otherwise, just take a look at this new report.

I doubt any readers of Feministing have bought into the pseudo-feminist anti-choice rhetoric claiming that abortion restrictions are simply about “protecting women” and “patient safety.” After all, it’s obvious that preventing access ...

Why young women are still relying on partners to “pull out”

As ThinkProgress reports, new research has found that a third of young women are still relying on the “withdrawal method” to prevent pregnancy. As those of us lucky enough to have benefited from a more comprehensive sex education probably know, this method is far from reliable as a form of birth control. According to the report:

“Researchers at the Duke University Medical Center analyzed data from 2,220 participants in between the ages of 15 and 24, and found that 31 percent of those women had used withdrawal as a form of birth control at least once. Twenty one percent of the women who had used the “pull out” method experienced an unintended pregnancy, compared to only 13 percent of ...

As ThinkProgress reports, new research has found that a third of young women are still relying on the “withdrawal method” to prevent pregnancy. As those of us lucky enough to have benefited from a ...

Violence against women is a global “epidemic”

The World Health Organization has declared violence against women an epidemic global health problem. They base this on the fact that one in three woman has faced sexual or intimate partner violence. Think Progress reports:

“After analyzing the mental, sexual, reproductive, and physical health consequences faced by victims of violence, the report characterized this issue as a global health epidemic.

…The report focused on health consequences of violence against women, finding that victims of intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence were twice as likely to face depression and almost twice as likely to develop alcohol use disorders. They are also more likely to have low birth-weight babies and to contract sexually transmitted infections, and 42 percent of them suffer ...

The World Health Organization has declared violence against women an epidemic global health problem. They base this on the fact that one in three woman has faced sexual or intimate partner violence. Think Progress reports:

“After ...

Breaking: Supreme Court rules human genes cannot be patented

The New York Times reports:

Isolated human genes may not be patented, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday. The case concerned patents held by Myriad Genetics, a Utah company, on genes that correlate with increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

The patents were challenged by scientists and doctors who said their research and ability to help patients had been frustrated. The particular genes at issue received public attention after the actress Angelina Jolie revealed in May that she had had a preventive double mastectomy after learning that she had inherited a faulty copy of a gene that put her at high risk for breast cancer.

The price of the test, often more than $3,000, ...

The New York Times reports:

Isolated human genes may not be patented, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday. The case concerned patents held by Myriad Genetics, a Utah company, on genes that ...

Angelina Jolie

Quick Hit: Angelina Jolie writes about her double mastectomy, preventing breast cancer

Angelina Jolie published a op-ed in this morning’s New York Times detailing her double mastectomy. Because of her family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Jolie chose to investigate her own risk through genetic testing. When her doctor determined she had an “87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer,” the actress and director decided to undergo a preventative double mastectomy, reducing her chances of cancer significantly.

Jolie’s piece is more than a personal narrative that denies stigma its power–though it certainly is that, too, and a particularly powerful confession given Hollywood’s obsession with the perfect, young female body. Jole wrote the op-ed, she explains, so other women will be aware of ...

Angelina Jolie published a op-ed in this morning’s New York Times detailing her double mastectomy. Because of her family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Jolie chose to investigate her own risk through genetic ...

Are mainstream breast cancer awareness initiatives hurting more than they’re helping?

Ed. note: This is a guest post from Verónica Bayetti Flores. Verónica is the Assistant Director of the Civil Liberties and Public Policy program (CLPP) at Hampshire College. She has worked to increase access to contraception and abortion, fought for paid sick leave, demanded access to safe public space for queer youth of color, and helped to lead social justice efforts in Wisconsin, New York City, and Texas.

Yesterday the New York Times featured an article in its Sunday magazine about breast cancer, awareness initiatives, and what the real effects these initiatives have had on the lives of women. It’s on the longer side, but one that’s framed around the personal narrative of the author – a breast cancer survivor herself ...

Ed. note: This is a guest post from Verónica Bayetti Flores. Verónica is the Assistant Director of the Civil Liberties and Public Policy program (CLPP) at Hampshire College. She has worked to increase access to contraception and abortion, ...

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