An excellent resource on all things gynocological health! This is one of the best books on women's health I have seen in the past 15 years. Tang has a wealth of knowledge and the ability to translate it into an easy to read, yet still information and entertaining book. Every library should have this on their list for their health collection.

this book started out interesting, because TMI, i have never been to a gynecologist and wanted to learn more about women’s reproductive health. however, i had a few issues with the short parts i read of this book.
1. i just lost interest. the author was just naming different reproductive issues that women could have and possible solutions. don’t get me wrong—this information is very important for some people to know if they may be experiencing these issues. however, this writing style just didn’t grip me and all seemed like easily accessible information.
2. i get that inclusivity is in (especially given that this is especially a TikTok doctor), but this is a book talking about WOMEN’S health and the author uses terms like “female assigned at birth” and the dreaded “pregnant people.” now, i don’t want to get into political/social topics, but i fully support a grown adult’s decision to transition as a result of gender dysphoria. however, sex and gender are still different, and this was not acknowledged. by a doctor. make it make sense. i just think if you’re writing a book aimed at a specific part of a population, you shouldn’t have to bend to the inclusivity gods of the modern era. by definition, a book about women’s health is going to be exclusive, that’s just a given. hypothetically, a book about men’s health or trans folk’s health would also not be inclusive.
3. these two quotes seem diametrically opposed: “While the causes are complex, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and other professional organizations within the field of OB-GYN acknowledged the role that racism has played in a joint statement issued in 2020: Recognizing that race is a social construct, not biologically based, is important to understanding that racism, not race, impacts healthcare, health, and health outcomes.” “Vitamin D deficiency is more common in Black people because melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, absorbs UV rays from sunlight, which is necessary for vitamin D production.” How is she going to agree that race a social construct while discussing melanin??

tldr: this was not for me but i think other people could appreciate the info in this book.

thank you to 2024 Macmillan Audio Influencer program for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I received this as an ALC from Flatiron Books and had to read it immediately. As I get older, I realize how little I know about menopause in particular, but also many other things about reproductive health. We receive so much conflicting information about what is and isn’t normal for our cycles. Sometimes, we need a straightforward, no-nonsense book about our health. This book touches on period problems, pelvic pain, menopause, fertility, sexual health, vaginal and urinary conditions, and overall well-being. Dr. Tang also provides information on treatment options for various reproductive conditions and gives advice on how to talk to your doctor about your concerns. It’s written straightforwardly, making it easy to understand, even for someone without much medical literacy.

I love how Dr. Tang weaves history with practical medical advice. She also makes a point of being as intersectional as possible, including a chapter on gender-affirming care. We need more intersectionality and inclusivity in many areas of life, especially medicine. If you have or have ever had a uterus, you should read this book.

This book is one of the most important and informative books I’ve ever read. It’s inclusive and interesting, and should genuinely be required reading for everyone. The author breaks down large topics into digestible chapters with a flow and method that makes everything easy to understand. While I listened to the whole book, you can easily skip to the chapters most interesting or concerning to you. So grateful to have been given the chance to listen and learn. Thank you, netgalley!

Research on gynecological issues continue to be severely lacking even today. This means many people are misdiagnosed or ignored by the medical community. This book is a must read for everyone, since most people know someone who has suffered from gynecology related issues. Knowledge is power and the more we know when we arrive at the doctors office the more empowered we will feel to stand up for ourselves.

This should be required reading for every woman or anyone working in women's health. It is a comprehensive, easy to understand explanation of everything relating to female sexual health.

Dr. Karen Tang has written a welcome resource with IT'S NOT HYSTERIA: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (BUT WERE NEVER TOLD).

Tang offers a historical grounding in part one and then delves into every imaginable topic in part two; here are only some of the chapters: fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis, urinary incontinence, infertility, gender diversity, inner sex, cancer. Part three covers treatments.

I found this to be a rich text, and there are no wasted words. Tang offers readers a firm understanding of so many areas and closes each chapter with a summary. For each condition, she discusses the pros and cons of various treatments, grounding it all in research. Additionally, she covers what various examinations would entail, which I found beneficial, as I appreciate going into situations with as much of an understanding of what's ahead as possible.

While the author expertly narrates the audiobook and I enjoyed listening to it, after this initial listen, I would favor a physical copy or an ebook of this title, as it would serve as a useful reference, allowing readers to flip to the sections most of value to them. Additionally, readers should realize this is a strong introduction but not meant to be fully comprehensive (as an example, knowing perimenopause and menopause will be on the horizon for me, I paid special attention to that chapter, and it offered a solid starting point, but I would need to seek out texts dedicated to that topic to further explore in more depth).

(I received a digital ALC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

An inclusive and comprehensive guide to gynecological health.

Thanks NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

Narrated by the gyn surgeon and author Dr Karen Tang herself, this was such an eye opener about reproductive health, the most common problems women/people of the LGBTQ+ community face and pointers on how to deal with them and when to seek help. The narration was well paced, imbibing empathy, compassion & understanding.

Dr. Tang starts by touching upon some history on how women’s problems have always been stereotyped as ‘hysteria’. She then makes it her mission with the rest of the book to emphasize on how “it’s not hysteria” at all.

Next, we are introduced to the basics of pelvic anatomy, menstrual cycle and conception. This really sets the stage for the next chapters that delve deep into several topics, help us interpret the various terminologies better and connect with the right anatomical part. It’s alarming how much we don’t know about our own reproductive system, the related organs/structures!

Dr. Tang addresses various gynecological conditions in the subsequent chapters. Some of them include – endometriosis, PMS, PCOS, menopause, sexual health, infertility, miscarriage, fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic floor dysfunction/pelvic prolapse, common gynecological cancers, contraception, hysterectomy, tubal ligation, abortion etc.

The descriptions also includes risk factors, causes, gender diversity and inter-sex, further debunking several myths surrounding these issues and clarifying misinformation.

I appreciated the “take home points” listed at the end of every chapter, which guide us by posing thought provoking questions and provide suggestions about how to be well prepared before a consult or feel comfortable with a scan, plan conversations with our health care providers, ultimately getting the maximum benefits from the medical system.

Dr. Tang stresses upon the need for more funding for research on gynecological conditions, more data from clinical trials and better insurance provision to make health care more accessible, affordable and inclusive for all. My gratitude to her for giving us this book!

Highly recommend!

It takes a lot for me to read a non-fiction book. But i felt that this topic was important for me to listen in on as a woman and it was highly recommended. I will say that this book was very informative and made me feel a sense of comfort in what my journey has been as a woman and my health. I am thankful that this book was recommended to me and also that I was able to read it. I will definitely be recommending this book to others and also will refer back to it again in the future.

What an interesting book! There is so much going on in the female reproductive system that we are just not taught. Worth a read if you have the requisite anatomy.

I’m listening to the ARC through Netgalley audio and it has so much information on women’s health in an easy to digest, nonjudgmental way. This book is a safe space for all and in reading this book gives the readers the validation that women’s health is complicated and supports advocating for your health because a lot of the time these issues can be overlooked or dismissed. I also like how the author is working to normalize many issues that some are embarrassed to even address or hold stigma. If you have ever had pelvic floor pain, birthed a baby, questioned if you have endometriosis, etc. this book is for you.

I thought the author did a great job of making this content readable for anyone. It didn't feel like reading a textbook, which sometimes happens with nonfiction, and you don't have to be a Dr to understand everything. I thought this book was a very comprehensive overview of female reproductive issues from teen years through menopause. I imagine the book format would be easy to skip around to what you want to read about. I did listen to the whole audiobook because it was informative. I enjoyed the chapter summaries at the end of each chapter.

It’s Not Hysteria is a comprehensive beginners guide to reproductive health. Dr. Tang does a great job of highlighting many different conditions and medical needs and giving facts about history, symptoms, treatments and more. But she breaks it down in an effective, concise way that wouldn’t be overwhelming to someone who doesn’t normally read nonfiction. The book still has enough information behind it to engage someone who regularly reads nonfiction.

As someone who had to have open abdomen surgery for large fibroid removal, after multiple gynos discredited my pain for years. I think this gives people a good idea of things that could happen and a way to go into appointments asking the right questions.

I think this is a great way to understand some basics of your own health, and be able to have conversations with friends who may be having issues. I also really recommend this to anyone raising a daughter. I think it’s a great resource towards knowing what exists and training your girls to advocate for themselves in the future.

I really appreciated Karen’s inclusivity and how she even gave a chapter devoted to the health needs of transgender men and nonbinary patients as well.

I listened to the audiobook of this. Karen does a great job narrating and if you are someone who already consumes nonfiction in audiobook form, it’s a good listen. But I think some who may want to highlight facts or are more invested in certain conditions highlighted in the book, I would recommend the physical.

I have been reading more books about reproductive health for those with uteruses over the last few months due to my struggles with period pain. This book was a very well rounded book to cover a lot that you may need to know about reproductive health.

What I loved:
I absolutely love that this book is written by an OBGYN but is easily read for someone who has little medical knowledge. This book is for anyone and everyone to learn more.
I loved the “take home points” at the end of each section. It made for a nice wrap up in a more scientic book.
I love the use of intentional and inclusive language.

I listened to this audiobook, and I really enjoyed the narrator. Their voice kept me focused throughout the book.
I think this is a great book to listen to and have to reference later. But I also think that a physical copy would be great for referencing later. I suggest choosing your favorite way to consume non-fiction books for yourself!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced listener copy of this audiobook! I received a copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I appreciate this book beyond measure. As someone who has been struggling with various symptoms for YEARS to finally get a “it’s probably endometriosis” diagnosis, I wish I would have had this information sooner. The author explores various gynecological conditions providing information on symptoms, causes (if known), treatment, and other relevant things. Hearing just the basic descriptions of endometriosis had me almost in tears because of how I have displayed so many of the symptoms for years and not a single provider ever presented the possibility of endo. I recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with their reproductive health or anyone who is interested in learning more.

I will start with the positives: I liked the narrator of the audiobook and I enjoyed how the book was laid out, especially since there was "take home points" at the end of each section.

That being said, the full price for the physical book is $40 CAD and I do not think that this is anywhere near worth that. I think almost all of this information could be found very quickly, easily, and accessibly online. The author is popular on TikTok and I think all of this information completely fits in a quick TikTok video and makes sense for that format. I do not think it made sense to make a whole book out of this as it just isn't worth your time or money. Additionally, there was nothing extra there to keep me engaged or interested. Perhaps this would be a good book to have as a reference guide, but like I said, you could easily just use google. While, in general, I like the narrator of the audiobook I do think the audiobook itself was hard to follow since it was basically a list of facts.

This is a very informative book that covers a multitude of questions that women may have related to the anatomy and physiology unique to our female bodies. There are topics covered that I had been curious about and too embarrassed or not willing to talk to a doctor about but was comforted to know that I am not alone in facing these issues.

Not every concern is something that requires a doctor’s attention. It was interesting to hear various options and the pros/cons and various considerations. I had considered seeking medications or treatment for low libido and pre-menopause symptoms so understanding the side effects and alternatives was helpful to learn more about.

There were some chapters that did not apply to things I am currently facing or have faced personally, but I know other women who have dealt with these topics so it is good to be more informed or would be nice to have a physical copy of this book to use over time as a reference. I also have a daughter who is not quite at the age to visit a gynecologist yet (but will be soon) and I learned some information that I could share with her to make her more comfortable with some of the questions to ask the doctor and to know what they may be looking for as part of the exams.

Thanks go out to @Macmillan.Audio and @NetGalley, for the honor of reviewing this advanced release.
#MacAudio2024

I am rating this as a 2nd year medical student studying for my boards exams right now - I love this book/audiobook. This is my 3rd book about women's health this year, and it is definitely the most detailed and medically accurate. This really focuses on women's health and healthcare, rather than general social issues. If you are a person with a uterus/vagina who wants a guidebook on your health, this is the book. Additionally, it is language inclusive and very professional. Dr. Karen Tang has successfully married her medical education, passion, and accessibility for this book, and although I listened to it on audiobook, I'll definitely be purchasing a hard copy for future reference. I will be recommending this to my classmates and colleagues for sure.

THIS!! THIS IS THE BOOK THAT EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD NEEDS!! Or maybe even a teen version for young girls. This book is amazing and I wish for more people to find it and read it. It is definitely going on my library shelf and I will be shouting from the shelves about it.

I could not have loved this book more. As a provider of gynecologic care to college students, I can't help but adore how reachable Dr Tang's explanations of reproductive health are to anyone with an inquiring mind. I literally recommended the book to a patient today.

Dr. Tang so importantly does not shy away from medically accurate information about gender diversity, intersex people, and abortion, describing each with the scientific evidence and respect each topic deserves. In a time where healthcare has been so politicized, Dr Tang's voice is more crucial than ever.