Health
An Every-Woman's Guide for the 90's
Book Review: 'The New Our Bodies, Ourselves
Updated and Expanded fo rthe 1990's"
(Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1992)
In 1973 the Boston Women's Health Book Collective released a book that revolutionized the way women think about their health and their bodies. It was first updated in 1984, and now "Our Bodies, Ourselves" has been made even better. "The New Our Bodies, Ourselves–Updated and Expanded for the 1990's" is an indispensable resource tor anyone interested in up-to-the-minute information and discussion of women's health care issues. Seeking a birth control method? Look it up. Baffled about menopause and the aging process? Read about it. Have questions about your prescription medication? Take this book (and its guidance) with you when you visit your doctor.
The purpose of the book was originally, and continues to be, to bring both personal and political analysis to health, doctors, science, disease, the business of medicine, and the patient-caregiver relationship. The new edition incorporates recent advances in the study of women's health. For instance, there is now a whole section on AIDS and HIV infection. The abortion section includes a thorough look at new birth control methods, including RU-486. Political and legal developments regarding abortion are updated through the Casey decision (which allowed states to legislate restrictions on abortion in July). More sexually transmitted diseases are identified and described, along with methods of protection from them. The pregnancy and childbearing sections have been revised to more thoroughly address midwifery, concerns of women with disabilities, and nutrition during pregnancy. The section on "Lesbian Life" emphasizes support for women who are "coming out."
The Boston Women's Health Book Collective grew out of a 1969 women's conference. At a discussion called "Women and Their Bodies," the women present realized they actually had very little information about the subject. They expressed frustration at the condescending, paternalistic, non-informative "care" they received from the medical establishment. Their discussion grew into a summer project, in which several women researched exercise, nutrition, violence against women, sexuality, pregnancy, cancer, hysterectomy, diabetes, arthritis, breast cancer, lupus, hypertension, and more. Calling themselves The Boston Women's Book Collective, they eventually published their findings in book form. Throughout each edition, the collective stresses that, "Above all, we want to encourage women to get together–to meet, talk and listen to each other."
The newly updated "Our Bodies, Ourselves" is divided into seven chapters: "Taking Care of Ourselves," "Relationships and Sexuality," "Controlling Our Fertility," "Childbearing," "Women Growing Older," "Some Common and Uncommon Medical Problems," and "Women and the Medical System."
The chapter "Taking Care of Ourselves" is an overview of health maintenance. It covers body image, nutrition, exercise, tobacco and alcohol, prescription mood-altering drugs, environmental and occupational hazards, and violence against women. The book suggests asking your doctor specific questions about prescription drugs. What is it for? How does t work? What are the risks? Are there herbal alternatives? The chapter discusses treatments such as holistic health practices and psychotherapy, along with the more traditional methods.
The need to become more comfortable with our physical selves is also emphasized. Besides improving one's body image, the authors discuss the physical benefits of exercise. For those who do not exercise regularly. the authors recommend undertaking an activity that looks like fun and to do it together with a non-jock like yourself.
The "Controlling Our Fertility" and "Childbearing" chapters explain the anatomy and physiology of reproduction. Pregnancy is thoroughly discussed, both from the point of view of being wanted and unwanted. There is a discussion of adoption and abortion as well as information on reproductive technologies, each trimester of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. There is also a section on infertility and pregnancy loss. As in other chapters, both physical and emotional changes and concerns are emphasized.
Birth control methods from Norplant to coitus interruptus - and the pros and cons of each - are discussed. Readers are given the costs as well, both philosophical and literal. For instance, Norplant and IUDs are talked about in terms of control, since they must be inserted and removed by a practitioner. "As such," they say, "the method may be misused as a tool of social control over women." It is also noted that in late 1991 , Wyeth-Ayerst, the U.S. distributor of Norplant charged $350 for a set. In contrast, U.S. Agency for International Development purchase sNorplant for Third World use for $23 a set from a Finnish distributor.
The chapter on "Women Growing Older" looks at life changes starting in the middle years and continuing until death. These include physical and psychological consequences. as well as societal problems such as poverty and lack of access to quality medical care. (The Book Collective has published an entire book on the subject: "Ourselves Growing Older.")
The authors point out that older women often face both sexism and ageism in their dealings with the medical establishment. They warn that physicians commonly treat the health problems of older women as neurotic or imagined. Thus older women often face misdiagnosis and an overprescription of drugs. "As one nurse put it: 'When a man complains of dizziness he gets a workup; an older woman gets Valium.'"
Members of the Book Collective encourage readers to organize. They advocate sharing health skills with others, fighting for medical rights, opposing unjustified medical interventions, and working to prevent multi-national corporations from dumping unsafe products–whether they be infant formula or psychoactive drugs–on the rest of the world.
"The New Our Bodies Ourselves–Updated and Expanded for the 90's" is the most inclusive place to look for information on women's health care issues. If there is a health question this book does not answer, one may write to.the collective at the Women's Health Information Center, P.O. Box 192, West Somerville, MA 02144.
Lynden Kelly is co-owner of Common Language Bookstore at 214 S. Fourth Ave. in Ann Arbor.
A Women's Health Discussion Group has just formed, using "The New Our Bodies Ourselves–Updated and Expanded for the 90's" as a guide. The Monday group meets Dec. 14 & 28; the Tuesday group meets Dec. 8 & 22. All meetings are at 8 pm at Guild House, 802 Monroe. For more information call 662-5189.