Have You Read Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom?
(Fellas, you might want to sit this one out, but don’t!)
I just finished reading Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, by Dr. Christiane Northrup. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to get to it—it’s been on my list for at least half a decade. My best guess is that I thought it would feel like homework, or I thought I already knew everything there is to know about my body, or I thought it would be some earnest Our Bodies, Ourselves-type book, which I read over and over again as a teenager and have not felt the need to revisit as a grownup.
But about the latter. I’ll go on record saying I love Our Bodies, Ourselves—for what it taught me, sure, and also for what it meant for women (and men) when it first came out, in 1971. If you compare what was in that book with, for instance, what they taught us in school about our bodies and about sex, or what our mothers, bless their hearts, taught us, or what we learned from our similarly inexperienced and confused friends? We’re talking about a no-contest fight there. That book has a whole section teaching women how to masturbate, for crying out loud! And there was that awkward bit about, um, examining your, ah, self in the mirror!
To that last point, the fact that the idea of this still makes me squirm (and no, I never did it) tells me I might have some more reading to do. Which is where Northrup’s book comes in.
Last month I was gabbing with a girlfriend about cervixes (cervices?) and she told me she wasn’t sure what hers was, what it looked or felt like, and she didn’t know that it moved around depending on where she was in her cycle. I don’t think it’s weird that she didn’t know these things, and that’s sort of the point. The fact that the inner workings of this thing we call home are so mysterious to us is a problem. And when I read Northrup’s book, I realized there’s a whole lot I don’t know, too.
Here I am, 33 and working at a health magazine for women. I read about women’s health all day long, at work and in my spare time. When I go to the doctor, I ask questions to the point where I’m pretty sure I’m being annoying. I’m also at ease in my own skin, am what some people might call “sex-positive” by nature, and I’m pretty unflappable when it comes to most things body-related (even the objectively gross stuff).
And yet as I was reading this book (on my Kindle, thank God, because that thing is a brick) it seemed like every few pages I was taking notes or slamming the thing into my lap and interrupting my boyfriend’s reading to share my latest discovery.
This was humbling and exciting all at once. There’s so much to know! But the main point of her book, from what I can tell, is that women’s bodies contain information and wisdom both about our health but also the health of our relationships. These are things that can’t always be proven by science—though some of it can—but should always be listened to.
The book is exhaustive. There’s an entire section devoted to UTIs, another just about ovaries, another only about recurring infections—and then she presents available research and data about treatment, as well as alternative treatment options, where appropriate. She also suggests, ever so gently, that if you’re getting recurring infections, as one example, you might also want to take a closer look at your marriage—not in lieu of treatment, but when you take a whole-person approach to health, mind-body connections have to be front and center, too.
Some of the book can get a little out-there—for instance, I’m now convinced that every woman I know, myself included, has a second- or fourth-chakra imbalance, and I’m only half kidding when I say that. She’s a holistic MD, after all, so the science is there, and it’s well researched and footnoted and whatnot. But she also talks about chakras and energy and alternative and complimentary medicine too.
What else can I say? I think the book should be required reading, maybe, but that makes it sound like, as I’d feared, homework. Actually, reading the book is a total treat, full of “holy crap” moments and epiphanies, and leaving me with the feeling that women’s bodies are so, so cool, and that my health and my happiness is in my hands (minus pesky genes, of course).
Have you read this book? What other books taught you the most about your body and your sexuality? I’ve already named two, but I’d like to add “every book by Judy Blume” to my list. Now it’s your turn.
I read WBWW many years ago, and have referred to it often ever since. I recommend it to my anatomy & physiology students. Christiane Northrup is the perfect blend of western medicine and “alternative” practices, for my taste. And she has a great book on menopause that really helped me when perimenopause started kicking my butt several years ago when I was still in my thirties and utterly unprepared. I also like Woman: an intimate geography by Natalie Angier. Great discussion of hormones, among other things, that a layperson can understand.
I like that you’ve emphasized this concept which is in our west civilization still regarded many times as “stupid” and which is a delicate topic. For me the chakras, energy and all these things are connected in one, but many times I see that I have to share them very carefully, cause not everyone is “prepared” to understand that we have the power to change our life. We have to know that centuries, even milleniums ago women were connected with their own self (=body-mind-spirit) much more that we can imagine today. I also study in depth these things and even work on myself too(sometimes it’s hard), because once you tap into your spirit and you discover dormant potentials, you won’t want to go back. We are much more than nowadays science and medicine wants to let us know. The main point is that we have forgotten to trust ourselves, to our bodies and so we prefer to put our power into the hands of others. We just need to come back to the true self.
I will def read the Angier. And @Dasha, I love love love your comment.
I have since learned to find my cervix!! In fact, that was thanks to one of your readers who suggested Taking Charge of Your Fertility, which really opened my eyes. I will now pick up this book too. This is such a great community!!
WBWW is my bible, it’s taught me so much.
I just have to echo Erika’s comment! I also read Taking Charge of Your Fertility because readers here suggested it, and was blown away by all I didn’t know. I’ve since recommended it to a number of friends and am in the process of making the switch away from hormonal birth control. I’ve also been meaning to read Northrup’s book for ages, and I think this may just be the kick in the pants I needed. You guys rock!
You guys always have the most interesting posts! I’m 27 and have never EVER read any books like this. I only recently started rooting around the internet for more information on women’s cycles and health – actually because of my acne which got crazy post birth control pill and I (rightly) suspected it was linked to my reproductive health. I’ve been wanting to read more, because I suspected I wasn’t ovulating and this was of course disrupting my hormones, and thus giving me acne. I’ve since been able to calm my skin down and (hopefully) get my cycles back on track through nutrition, but its all been trial and error from the little scraps I’ve picked up online. But I have to admit, a huge part of me is a bit scared to learn more. Am I the only one? I think I have some sort of latent guilt I’ve been harboring about being a sexually active woman. Like surely I must be punished and I probably a) am infertile or b) have contracted every std known to man and somehow it hasn’t been detected. Let me be clear, I have no reason to think any of these things – In fact quite the opposite, but is this a common anxiety?
@sallie, I don’t have that guilt but I understand it. I was raised Catholic but it didn’t stick ; ) Many of us pick up unhealthy ideas about our sexuality. Wherever we’ve picked up these ideas, the best way to overcome guilt or fear is to learn. I think what you are feeling is quite common and seeking information and a deeper understanding of your body is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself.
I read WBWW in my early twenties (I am now 32) and I can honestly say that it had a huge impact on the decisions I’ve made like staying off the pill and putting my dance career on hold to have kids. I thought that I would loose my identity to motherhood and did not want children till I read that book. It helped me let go of so much baggage that I’d probably otherwise still be carrying. Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss who Is frequently mentioned in WBWW is also worth a look although it is a bit more esoteric and speaking of esoteric, Siobhan and Alexandra, are you guys like channelling every thoughtful, health concious, woman who genuinely wants to do better in the world and do it wile wearing the perfect shade of clean safe pink lipstick? I’ve never left comments on blogs before. I usually just lurk.@ Sallie WBWW has a wealth of info on hormones and cycles. I think it might quiet your anxiety if anything.
@Siobhan: Thank you very much for your nice words! I’m very happy that you wrote this post :) It gave me drive to include even this things on my blog, too. I’ve been thinking about sharing them since s long time and thanks to your post I “woke up” :)
Best, Dasha
Thanks ladies! This post might just be the kick in the pants I need to delve deeper.
I second that this is a GREAT community and resource. Thanks to Siobhan and Alex and everyone who comments!
Ha! My amazing grandmother (who, on a side note, was a midget and one of the first female psycho-therapists with an active practice in Minneapolis) gave me that book when I menstruated for the first time. It was enlightening to me then. Perhaps I should revisit it now that I am in my late twenties!
I’ve owned it for years and have yet to read more than the first few pages… It’s dauntingly thick but came highly recommended by two awesome people (one being my sister, who also sat me down and firmly placed the NMDL book in my hands) and they reference the book often, so you have inspired me to get it out and Just Do It!
EVERY woman should own this book!! I know it is huge, but it is something you will refer to time and time again!
Love this bok. My copy is so old that I am tempted to get the new edition. It is a must for any woman. Her chapter on breast lumps is a must read. Stress really can be factor. I am proof of that.
I love that you girls post on so many different topics. Thanks for the share.
Thanks for the shout out for Our Bodies, Ourselves! I wanted to let folks know that we just came out with a new edition of the book in 2011. It’s still a great resources for hearing others’ experiences and learning about your sexuality, and yes!, it still has a section on how to masturbate!
Check out excerpts from the new edition here: http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/publications/obos2011/excerpts.asp
I’ve visited Dr. Northrup’s blog and have listened to a couple of her lectures. However, I have been reluctant to read any of her books, mostly because she is endorsed by Oprah and I try to stay clear of anything endorsed by Oprah. The Oprah endorsement just seems like pop-science, so I guess I don’t really feel to comfortable with Dr. Northrup after that; essentially, she’s lost a lot of her credibility with me. I know, Jonathan Franzen was also endorsed by Oprah, but he was uncomfortable with that endorsement.
Just rented it from the library today, thanks to you, Siobhan! Looking forward to reading through it.
@comagirl, why should Oprah have so much influence over what you will or won’t read? I don’t care what Oprah thinks either way. I don’t even remember how I first heard about Northrup, but it was in the 90s when I first read her book. She was (is?) a practicing OB/GYN that opened herself up to alternative practices and holistic thinking long before it became popular. I really should get a copy of the updated version of WBWW, it was redone a couple years ago. Like anything else, we can each take from it what feels right and leave anything that doesn’t resonate.
I’m not familiar with this book, but I will say that I am appalled by how little most women know about their bodies. I’ve met adult women who don’t realize that the urethra and vagina are separate openings. Having at least a basic familiarity with our reproductive plumbing and how it works is, in my opinion, absolutely necessary for good health. If this or any other book can accomplish that, I’m all for it.
Am reading this now – incredible, thank you for the recommendation!
I just got it. For $0.99 at the Good will near the University. Even better!
I found this jewel in my library at school. I just had to have my own copy so I put it on my Christmas list. I’m so happy I have this book, it’s A LOT of info but ll very interesting and helpful. Every time I feel overwhelmed by the info I “think” I don’t need to read, I step away from the book then come back with the mindset that the info will be helpful to me or someone else in the future, through my knowledge with the help of this book.