Throughout history, women's bodies have been subject to various forms of control, including reproductive control. Women's bodies have been viewed as property and objects of ownership, and the patriarchy has used various means to control women's bodies, including through the regulation of women's sexuality and reproductive capacities.
For example, in many cultures, women have been subjected to genital mutilation, forced sterilisation, and other forms of reproductive control, often in the name of preserving traditional values or maintaining social order. Women have also been denied access to contraception and abortion, which has limited their ability to control their own fertility and make choices about their own bodies.
1. They burnt all the witches, healers, doulas & wise women
The global witch trials of the 14th-16th centuries were a series of persecutions & executions of people, mostly women, who were accused of witchcraft. These trials were widespread across Europe, & also took place in parts of Africa, Asia, & the Americas. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people were killed during these trials. The accused were often subjected to torture to extract confessions & were then executed, often by burning at the stake. The witch trials were fuelled by a combination of religious & social factors, including fear of the unknown, superstition, & a desire to control & punish those who were seen as a threat to the existing power structures, i.e the Patriarchy + the Church.
The witchcraft these women were accused of practicing was mainly traditional knowledge & practices around women's health, tracking your menstrual cycle, avoiding pregnancy through fertility awareness, healing with plants, free birth, menstrual initiations, womb wisdom etc.
2. Doctors (men) became the custodians of women's health
The shift from traditional healing for women's health to doctors being custodians of women's health was a gradual process that took place over several centuries. In traditional societies, women's health was typically managed by female healers or midwives who relied on natural remedies & a holistic approach. With the rise of modern medicine in the 19th & 20th centuries, doctors assumed a more prominent role in managing women's health, & traditional healers & midwives were often marginalised.
The shift towards a more biomedical model of healthcare was driven by scientific advancements & the professionalisation of healthcare, but it has also been criticised for being overly focused on medical interventions at the expense of more holistic approaches. The shift has led to the loss of valuable knowledge & practices developed over centuries & has contributed to the marginalisation of women healers & practitioners.
3. The medicalisation of birth
The medicalisation of birth has had a significant impact on women's experiences of childbirth. While medical interventions such as epidurals & cesarean sections have made childbirth safer in some cases, they have also contributed to the overuse of medical interventions & the medicalization of a natural process. This has led to a reduction in women's autonomy & control over their own bodies, as well as an increase in the medicalization of childbirth. Additionally, medicalized birth can be traumatic for some women & can lead to increased rates of postpartum depression & anxiety. Finally, medicalized birth has led to the marginalization of traditional birth practices & has contributed to a loss of valuable knowledge & practices related to childbirth.
It can also be argued that if a women does not give birth vaginally, is she fully spiritually initiated into the power of motherhood & her womb wisdom?
4. Big Pharma got involved
The impact of Big Pharma on women's health has been complex & controversial. While pharmaceutical companies have developed many lifesaving drugs & treatments that have improved women's health, they have also been criticized for putting profits ahead of patients & for prioritizing the development of drugs that are profitable rather than those that are most needed. This has led to the overmedicalization of women's health & an over-reliance on pharmaceutical treatments for conditions that could be managed with non-pharmaceutical interventions. Additionally, there have been instances where pharmaceutical companies have downplayed the risks of their drugs or failed to adequately test them, putting women's health at risk. Finally, the high cost of many drugs has made them inaccessible to many women, particularly those from marginalized communities, leading to health disparities & unequal access to care.
5. Hormonal contraception
The impact of hormonal contraception on women's health has been significant. Hormonal contraceptives have allowed women to have greater control over their reproductive health, & have reduced the risk of unintended pregnancy & related health issues. However, hormonal contraceptives can also have side effects, including weight gain, mood changes, & decreased libido. There have also been concerns about the long-term effects of hormonal contraception on bone density, cardiovascular health, & the risk of blood clots. Finally, the use of hormonal contraception has been linked to a higher risk of depression, particularly among adolescent girls.
What was initially praised as a women's revolution is now seen as women's decline. Hormonal contraception, combined with a lack of body literacy, has disconnected women from their natural cycles & womb wisdom, more than anything else. It has created a co-dependence, with medical technology constantly seeking help externally before self understanding. Hormonal contraception also ignores the fact that women are not fertile every single day of their cycle, which has created massive misconceptions about the female biology & reproductive cycle.
6. Negative social & cultural attitudes around menstruation
Negative modern social & cultural attitudes towards menstruation have had a significant impact on women's psychology. These attitudes have led to a culture of shame & secrecy around menstruation, which can contribute to feelings of embarrassment & self-consciousness among women. The stigma surrounding menstruation can also lead to a lack of education & information about menstrual health & hygiene, which can have negative consequences for women's physical health. Furthermore, the cultural taboo around menstruation can reinforce harmful gender stereotypes & contribute to the marginalization of women. Finally, the negative attitudes towards menstruation can contribute to feelings of isolation & disconnection from other women, which can have a negative impact on women's mental health & well-being.
7. Lack of education & body literacy amongst young girls
The lack of education & body literacy among young girls has had a significant impact on women's empowerment. Without education & knowledge about their bodies, girls & women may not underst& their menstrual cycle, reproductive health, or sexual health, which can limit their ability to make informed decisions about their bodies & their lives. This can also leave them vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, & gender-based violence. Additionally, the lack of education & body literacy can lead to feelings of shame & embarrassment around these topics, which can further marginalize women & limit their opportunities for empowerment. Finally, a lack of education & body literacy can perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes & reinforce patriarchal norms that limit women's autonomy & control over their own bodies.
8. Women have been lied to about their fertility
The false belief that women can get pregnant every single day of their menstrual cycle has had a significant impact on women's health. This misinformation has led to a lack of knowledge & understanding about the menstrual cycle, fertility, & reproductive health. This can lead to unintended pregnancies, fertility issues, & a lack of agency over one's own body. Additionally, this misinformation has perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes & reinforced patriarchal norms that limit women's autonomy & control over their own bodies. Finally, this falsehood has contributed to a culture of shame & secrecy around reproductive health issues, which can further marginalise women & limit their access to care.
Thanks to social conditioning, young women are so afraid of becoming pregnant, that they will do anything to avoid it, including giving up their body sovereignty. This lie has also created an unnecessary dependence on hormonal contraception making women numb to the workings of their own body, the power of their womb & becoming slaves to Big Pharma & the corporate industry of birth control.
9. Young girls are being prescribed hormonal contraception very irresponsibly
The impact of young girls being prescribed hormonal contraception for things other than the prevention of pregnancy can be significant. Hormonal contraceptives are powerful medications that can have significant side effects, particularly for young girls whose bodies are still developing. Additionally, the use of hormonal contraceptives for non-contraceptive purposes can mask underlying health issues that need to be addressed. Furthermore, there is a lack of long-term research on the safety & efficacy of hormonal contraceptives, particularly for young girls. One study found that there is an increased risk of 80% in depression for women who started hormonal contraception between the ages of 15-19. Finally, the prescription of hormonal contraceptives for non-contraceptive purposes can reflect a lack of understanding & education among doctors about the menstrual cycle & reproductive health, & can reinforce patriarchal norms that limit women's autonomy & control over their own bodies.
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