Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of It’s Not Hysteria.

Wow, just wow. This book had so much good and useful information. American education is woefully lacking when it comes to reproductive health. Books and doctors like Dr. Karen Tang is needed to combat false information and ignorance.

I love how the author explains how she will use speech when explaining conditions. and trying to be inclusive and respectful to everyone. The book begins with her welcoming everyone to having this knowledge.

She also says you can skip through part you aren't interested in. If there is a topic you need more info on she recommends finding specialists.

It’s great to start seeing medical books that are written with kindness and a desire to educate on the real issues. There is zero judgement.

I found this to be very well rounded collection of information regarding reproductive health. Thank you to NetGalley, Dr Karen Tang, and Flat Iron Books. I have written this review voluntarily.

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 Outdated theories are pointed out and debunked while those that need more research are also highlighted.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.

My Reading Experience and Final Thoughts
I started looking into the female body more as I became curious about fertility and conception. As you can guess from the review so far, there's a lot of information in this book. I want to highlight the emotional states I went through. I experienced overwhelm at how much can happen, to relief about symptoms I don't have, and empowerment to approach my wellness from a place of knowing.

When I got my birth control prescription many years ago, 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 read this book in audio and Tang does a phenomenal job of presenting information in a compassionate and relatable manner. 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. Tang offers valuable advice on how to speak to professionals and questions to ask them for the numerous conditions covered in this book.

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.

Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy of this book. The review will be posted to Armed with A Book on May 7th.

This was a very informative book that I highly recommend for everyone with a uterus! Goodness, probably even those without a uterus could benefit from reading it. The history of female health at the beginning of the book was both infuriating and eye-opening. I liked how the information was structured and especially liked the “take home points” summarizing the end of each chapter.

Thank you Dr. Karen Tang, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this audiobook! The sound quality was excellent, and the author did a nice job narrating. Having the author narrate their own book always adds a little something special to the listening experience.

This was a lot of information but it was really good. I appreciate the authors time and expertise. Women’s health is severely under-funded, under researched, and not prioritized but many. Books like this are an invaluable resource for women trying to navigate issues that the western system hasn’t even begun to catch up on. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

Wow. I have known for a while that there is a giant gap in proper knowledge and education on the female reproductive system, but some of the information in this book blew my mind. As a girly with both endometriosis and PMDD, this was both eye-opening and comforting at the same time. I listened via audiobook and enjoyed the narration.

I would say anyone with a uterus should read this book, but even if you don't have one, you should read this book!!

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

It's Not Hysteria is exactly the kind of book that is needed. Dr. Karen Tang writes in a way that makes this material accessible to non-medical staff, while still giving all the information needed to understand a variety of different topics. This book made me feel seen, supported and normal. It makes me want to learn how to take care of myself better, and even advocate for myself more. We shouldn't have to fight for good medical care, and the "taboo" topics in this book are exactly the things we need to start discussing.

I will start by saying that I love the title and cover of this book! One of my all-time favorite "fun facts" is that the word hysteria/hysterical comes from ancient times to describe the ailments of women. I enjoyed the exploration of this term. I was excited to see a book about women's health, but again (this is the second book I've read this year on this topic) felt disappointed with the product. This felt like a list of all the problems women can have and then a little bit more of a synopsis and treatment of said problem. I didn't find anything in this book to fit the bill of "everything I need to know and was never told." It felt a bit like someone reading off what I could have googled.

I also felt a bit frustrated with some of the topics. I understand that inclusivity is in-vogue, but it's really frustrating to get a lecture gender affirming care and the differences between gender and sex every time I pick up a book about women's health. This always makes a book feel a bit political. I don't think that changing the decor in OB/GYN offices to cater to a few patients makes sense... among other things.

This was another author I chose not to look into until I finished the book and lo and behold it is a doctor on TikTok. I think this book was probably better as short videos snipits, as it doesn't feel like a valuable resource for the bookshelf. I did appreciate that this was narrated by the author, as this is always ideal for non-fiction texts.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author Dr. Karen Tang for an ALC of this audiobook!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books & Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC of It’s Not Hysteria. Narrated by the author, Karen Tang, MD, this book is going to be an amazing resource for anything you could want or need to know about women’s reproductive health. Will be available for purchase on May 7, 2024.

I learned A TON from listening to this, but I will say having a physical copy or ebook to go along would have make it 1000% easier to use as a reference. In hindsight, I also should have read this in phases over several days so it didn’t feel like I was listening to a textbook being read to me. I gave this 5⭐️ because of the vast amounts of useful information that every single uterus haver should read at least once in their lives, but I did find myself zoning out several times, but that’s completely on me not planning.

I retained absolutely nothing from Sex Ed and I imagine a lot of people are the same way.. then let’s factor in it’s been over 20 years. I truly believe it would be beneficial for everyone to read or listen to this book at least once and they can skip chapters that don’t apply to them, i.e. endometriosis, vaginal prolapse or miscarriage. I love and am appreciative of her use of inclusive language.

#NetGalley #netgalleyarc #nonfiction #nonfictionbooks #drkarentang #itsnothysteria #advancedreadercopy #womenshealth #reproductivehealth

An inclusive self help book for women and those assigned female at birth

I was really interested in reading this book as it addresses how women have been gaslit in regards to their reproductive health. I’m one of those women. When I moved to the US, I found the gynecologists to be incredibly out of date with their opinions and I was unable to get the medication I needed

I had to research and be my own advocate in order to get the treatment I knew I needed

This book is factually informative and helped my confidence grow in order to continue to advocate for myself

I’m grateful for Dr Tang for taking a frustrating subject and making it clear and easy to understand.

I listened to each chapter, narrated by Dr Tang and enjoyed her easygoing manner. I’d probably want to have the book too, as it’s easier to reference. However, the audio made for an easy listening experience

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

Anyone with a uterus needs to read this book. There is so much information, not only on common complaints associated with gynecology, but also how and when to seek help. This was a fantastic read that broke down the physiology in a way that was easy to comprehend, while also framing many of the conditions in their historical, social, and political context. This was a compelling and informative read and I learned so much!

As a current student midwife, I loved this audiobook. It was the perfect mix of technical and patient-friendly language, and really helped me to develop my understanding of some of the common conditions associated with gynecological and reproductive care. This book was so compelling, and didn't feel like I was reading from a textbook, yet I gained so much information. Some of the treatment options listed were those I had never heard of, and I cannot express how great of a resource this book is.

This audio was so insanely informative.

I dont personally suffer from PCOS or intense periods, but I really liked how intense it went into the history of hysteria and how much I learned and gained knowledge wise!