Gynecological concerns affect half of the population yet there still appear to be large knowledge gaps amongst teens and adults, with most having received minimal sex education in grade school. Dr. Karen Tang, a board-certified gynecologist with a masters in public health, wrote “It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told)” (available via LINK+) in an attempt to fill these large gaps. Having been a longtime follower of hers on Instagram where she creates content under the handle @karentangmd, I was impressed that her 373-page book was as easy to ingest as her Instagram Reels. And as a librarian, I was equally impressed by the very thorough citation section at the end of the book that compiles hundreds of varied sources, mostly scholarly.
Tang begins with the history of gynecology, going back to the origin of the word “hysteria,” which comes from the Greek “hystera,” which directly translates to “uterus.” She discusses other issues in the field, including inequities faced by Black patients, whose pain and symptoms are regularly ignored and whom have the highest childbirth mortality rates. Tang also discusses issues specific to trans and non-binary individuals who were assigned female at birth and how some gynecological issues are differently affected by those using hormone treatments, while also using trans-inclusive language throughout the book. Entire chapters are dedicated to both gender diverse and intersex people.
The next two chapters offer assistance to those looking to advocate for themselves. Tang provides basic education, complete with diagrams. She also mentions the challenges in making appointments, and the limited time in which patients have to convey their issues. She provides tips on how to best utilize time spent with a provider and gives a list of questions that the reader can fill out in preparation for an appointment.
A large portion of the book deep-dives into different gynecological issues. Conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are common yet rarely understood or properly treated by those who suffer from symptoms associated with each. Premenstrual syndrome, perimenopause and menopause, infertility, miscarriage, and cancer are just a few examples of other issues discussed in length. Tang goes into the science behind these in an easy-to-understand manner.
The third and final part of the book details treatments for many of the conditions mentioned. She discusses various birth control and sterilization methods, what they can be used to treat, what their potential side effects can be, and how to advocate for each. Exams and procedures are described in detail, along with options for pain management during certain procedures. Many people have feelings of fear, anxiety, or embarrassment associated with gynecological appointments, especially because of dismissal of very real symptoms. With her insider knowledge, Tang gives readers the tools to better advocate for themselves when interacting with medical professionals. While health-related misinformation runs rampant on social media, this is a great reference book for someone looking to better understand their body and health.