Dr. Gunter, two questions: any theories as to why men who appear to dislike women go into gynecological medicine? And are there any serious studies in progress tracking how many women turn to 'alternative' therapies after feeling humiliated or shamed by their GYN doctors?
Asking because I read Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom when I was in my 20s. I was impressionable and although some of what she said made me go, Huh?? I was so grateful for a book like hers that I didn't perceive it as misinformation. I'm so glad I didn't go down the 'alternative medicine' path any further than I did. (Thank you for outing her and continuing to call out pseudoscience profiteers.)
I recently had my first appointment at a well regarded Menopause Clinic in a major teaching hospital in NYC and the experience was so awful (young, male MD treating the encounter with barely veiled mortification and hostility) that I told my husband it's no wonder so many middle-aged women turn away from conventional medicine. Someone that unskilled and/or uncaring - regardless of their medical expertise - can instill lasting humiliation and fear, especially when the medical issues are of such intimate and potentially embarrassing variety. (This was actually my second visit to the GYN wing of this hospital and my second bad experience. My first visit resulted in a minor but very painful injury from a pelvic exam.)
I think this is a major problem and I seriously wonder if there should be a whole new class of medical staff trained to support patients, either in the exam/consult room or in the days following, say, over the phone.
I'm supposed to have a follow-up visit in a month and I find myself dreading it so much. I'm still so angry about my first visit (not to mention terrified at the thought of ever having another pelvic exam) that I'm trying to work up the courage to inquire with the attending physician there whether it's within my patient's rights to only have only her treat me - no students - because I'm actually afraid I'll never go back otherwise.
Sorry for the long post. This one touched a nerve.
I read her first book at a time in my life when when I was frustrated with my job (O.R. Nurse) and had just gotten out of my second marriage. I started of interested in what she had to say and finished it thinking WTF did I just read. I started her second book and just couldn’t go on after the first 2 chapters. At that time I owned her first three books; I threw them away instead of donating them to the library which is what I normally do with books I no longer want. I just couldn’t leave them someplace they would still be in circulation. If I had had a place to burn them I would have done so.
The American Boards of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics just sent out a statement echoing that of the Federation of State Medical Boards. It reminds us that we have a "responsibility to provide patients and the public with information that is factual, honest, and in keeping with evidence." It goes on to say that providing misinformation during the pandemic may result in revocation of our board certification. I hope the ABOG follows suit soon.
I first heard of Christiane Northrop in the late 80s, early 90’s, when I was a nursing student in Canada and a rape crisis worker. I was heavily involved in feminism and was learning about white supremacy and basically waking up to so much of the disinformation that patriarchal society tells us. Over the years I gladly watched her on Oprah and PBS and bought her books. As a mature student, life after graduation was busy, and I found little time to actually read the books, but had them on my shelf to consult should I need to. I admit I peeked down the rabbit hole and walked a line with many of my friends being parents who did not vaccinate while I followed a slower vaccination schedule for my breastfed, non-daycare children. (All 3 were ultimately fully vaccinated). Ultimately it was listening to both my own wisdom (using my education and experience) and science that won out. But it is a really slippery slope and I am seeing my friends who pass on anti-vax clips to me, going deeper into the hole as I send back articles to counter their propaganda and when we discuss later I will ask if they saw what I sent, they will say “yes” but when pressed will admit they didn’t read it all. I really appreciate your articles, and as much as I want to pass them on in their entirety, I’m beginning to realize I will have to turn pertinent bits into Instagram like posts if I want your wisdom read.
Louise Hay held a women's health conference that I attended at the Jacob Javitz Center back in the early 90s. I didn't know who Louise Hay was at the time. Hay was spouting ideas such as thyroid problems, in the throat, are caused by not speaking up. Northrup was a key note speaker (she looked just like Kitty Forman, the mom on That 70s Show). In hindsight, she mixed her BS in with mainstream medicine which is how she established credibility. I remember she referred, with a hint of surprise, to "the little black nurse" who taught her about some spiritual facet of motherhood. I've since discontinued donating to PBS because of their quack line-up.
Yes, she's quite dangerous. Hasn't she been kicked out of several medical boards already? Of course she spins that to her advantage as well, claiming she's a victim of the Big Pharma conspiracy. She's allied with "Dr" Tenpenny, an osteopath or something and the two of them have a rapt audience. I have antivaxxers quoting their crap at me often.
Dr. Gunter, two questions: any theories as to why men who appear to dislike women go into gynecological medicine? And are there any serious studies in progress tracking how many women turn to 'alternative' therapies after feeling humiliated or shamed by their GYN doctors?
Asking because I read Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom when I was in my 20s. I was impressionable and although some of what she said made me go, Huh?? I was so grateful for a book like hers that I didn't perceive it as misinformation. I'm so glad I didn't go down the 'alternative medicine' path any further than I did. (Thank you for outing her and continuing to call out pseudoscience profiteers.)
I recently had my first appointment at a well regarded Menopause Clinic in a major teaching hospital in NYC and the experience was so awful (young, male MD treating the encounter with barely veiled mortification and hostility) that I told my husband it's no wonder so many middle-aged women turn away from conventional medicine. Someone that unskilled and/or uncaring - regardless of their medical expertise - can instill lasting humiliation and fear, especially when the medical issues are of such intimate and potentially embarrassing variety. (This was actually my second visit to the GYN wing of this hospital and my second bad experience. My first visit resulted in a minor but very painful injury from a pelvic exam.)
I think this is a major problem and I seriously wonder if there should be a whole new class of medical staff trained to support patients, either in the exam/consult room or in the days following, say, over the phone.
I'm supposed to have a follow-up visit in a month and I find myself dreading it so much. I'm still so angry about my first visit (not to mention terrified at the thought of ever having another pelvic exam) that I'm trying to work up the courage to inquire with the attending physician there whether it's within my patient's rights to only have only her treat me - no students - because I'm actually afraid I'll never go back otherwise.
Sorry for the long post. This one touched a nerve.
I read her first book at a time in my life when when I was frustrated with my job (O.R. Nurse) and had just gotten out of my second marriage. I started of interested in what she had to say and finished it thinking WTF did I just read. I started her second book and just couldn’t go on after the first 2 chapters. At that time I owned her first three books; I threw them away instead of donating them to the library which is what I normally do with books I no longer want. I just couldn’t leave them someplace they would still be in circulation. If I had had a place to burn them I would have done so.
I did that with the Suzanne Somers menopause book (threw it away instead of donating it) - now way was I letting anyone else stumble upon that trash!
The American Boards of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics just sent out a statement echoing that of the Federation of State Medical Boards. It reminds us that we have a "responsibility to provide patients and the public with information that is factual, honest, and in keeping with evidence." It goes on to say that providing misinformation during the pandemic may result in revocation of our board certification. I hope the ABOG follows suit soon.
It is a disgrace that ABOG has done nothing. Hopefully, the other medical boards will be enough peer pressure, but it shouldn't come to that!
I first heard of Christiane Northrop in the late 80s, early 90’s, when I was a nursing student in Canada and a rape crisis worker. I was heavily involved in feminism and was learning about white supremacy and basically waking up to so much of the disinformation that patriarchal society tells us. Over the years I gladly watched her on Oprah and PBS and bought her books. As a mature student, life after graduation was busy, and I found little time to actually read the books, but had them on my shelf to consult should I need to. I admit I peeked down the rabbit hole and walked a line with many of my friends being parents who did not vaccinate while I followed a slower vaccination schedule for my breastfed, non-daycare children. (All 3 were ultimately fully vaccinated). Ultimately it was listening to both my own wisdom (using my education and experience) and science that won out. But it is a really slippery slope and I am seeing my friends who pass on anti-vax clips to me, going deeper into the hole as I send back articles to counter their propaganda and when we discuss later I will ask if they saw what I sent, they will say “yes” but when pressed will admit they didn’t read it all. I really appreciate your articles, and as much as I want to pass them on in their entirety, I’m beginning to realize I will have to turn pertinent bits into Instagram like posts if I want your wisdom read.
Thank you for sharing. I do put up shorter posts on Instagram as well, but sharing from a friend is the best way to change minds and introduce facts!
Louise Hay held a women's health conference that I attended at the Jacob Javitz Center back in the early 90s. I didn't know who Louise Hay was at the time. Hay was spouting ideas such as thyroid problems, in the throat, are caused by not speaking up. Northrup was a key note speaker (she looked just like Kitty Forman, the mom on That 70s Show). In hindsight, she mixed her BS in with mainstream medicine which is how she established credibility. I remember she referred, with a hint of surprise, to "the little black nurse" who taught her about some spiritual facet of motherhood. I've since discontinued donating to PBS because of their quack line-up.
Yes, she's quite dangerous. Hasn't she been kicked out of several medical boards already? Of course she spins that to her advantage as well, claiming she's a victim of the Big Pharma conspiracy. She's allied with "Dr" Tenpenny, an osteopath or something and the two of them have a rapt audience. I have antivaxxers quoting their crap at me often.